TOUGH TIMES

It's been a nasty year for Scott McLaughlin in IndyCar.

Right now, as he prepares for the street course contest in Toronto, Canada, he is only 15th on the grid.

In the IndyCar championship standings, the former Supercars golden child and Team Penske speedster is only 12th in a year where he hoped to be a genuine title contender.

"Sometimes you gotta reflect," McLaughlin said on socials.

"I'm a big believer in that everything happens for a reason."

He was caught up in the Penske 'cheating' scandal ahead of the Indianapolis 500 and then wrecked before the race even began.

He has had a series of crashes and, like his Penske team mates Will Power and Josef Newgarden, has struggled for both pace and results.

Right now, Power is only 8th on the IndyCar standings and Newgarden is languishing in 14th.

"Last few months have been the hardest in my career on track," said McLaughlin.

"A lot of promise, not too much delivery, luck, mistakes, a lot of those things play into these situations."

But he can still pick up the positives.

"I'm still so lucky I get to call this my job, I have a beautiful healthy family that I get to come home to and I have plenty of fans that wear my shirt every week without a doubt."

This year he has had another win, as the transplanted Kiwi – and honorary Aussie – has earned US citizenship and an American passport.

"I'm the happiest I've ever been off track though, it's a shame those two haven't combined but they will and when they do it will be a movie!"

"Appreciate you all, and I hope you enjoy our ride back with the #thirsty3s and @Team_Penske to the top step! Always grateful."