Supercars champion McLaughlin to test Penske-run Indycar at Sebring

The DJR Team Penske driver has been continually linked to a NASCAR future with Penske, with team owner Roger Penske stating that any switch to NASCAR would be done gradually and through the lower tiers.

But 26-year-old McLaughlin will remain in Supercars for the 2020 season at least, though will test an Indycar in a series' rookie test before beginning his regular campaign.

"I am always open to new challenges and I'm thankful to Team Penske for providing this opportunity to test an Indycar," said McLaughlin, who took a record 18 victories in Supercars during 2019.

"We had an amazing year in 2019 and I'm looking forward to defending our Supercars championship next season. I'm also excited to grow as a driver and being with Team Penske creates cool opportunities to try something new."

McLaughlin confirmed he spent "a few hours" in a simulator earlier this year, adding: "It's going to be a blast to see what one really feels like at a place like Sebring."

Penske said: "Scott has been incredibly successful for DJR Team Penske over the last three seasons and he has become a true champion of our sport.

"He certainly embraces new challenges and we think this is a great opportunity to utilize the IndyCar Series rookie testing programme so Scott can experience what it is like to get behind the wheel of one of our Indy cars."

Penske won the Indianapolis 500 this year through Simon Pagenaud, while Josef Newgarden won the IndyCar title.

Team owner Penske also took control of the IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during 2019.