Scott McLaughlin has a two-word reaction following his favorite NFL team’s victory
IndyCar star Scott McLaughlin joined in the celebrations online after his favorite NFL team, the Carolina Panthers, won a sharply contested game against the Arizona Cardinals in overtime.
The December 22 game against the Cardinals was the Panthers' last home game of the 2024 season. Running Back Chuba Hubbard's 21-yard run for his second touchdown sealed the game and eliminated the Cardinals from playoff contention. He finished with 152 yards, one short of his career-high.
Team Penske driver McLaughlin lauded the Panthers on X in a succinct two-word message, writing:
"Let's go @Panthers!!!!"
McLaughlin hilariously shares a love-hate relationship with the Panthers as the team has been struggling for any major success in the NFL in recent times. The team's last conference championship came in 2015 and haven't made the playoffs since 2017. When the NFC South team recorded a 47-10 loss against the New Orleans Saints on September 8, McLaughlin wrote on X:
"Panthers s*ck"
The No. 3 Team Penske Chevrolet driver shared a similar emotion on December 2 when the Panthers lost a close 23-26 game to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on home turf.
"That hurts @Panthers," he wrote on X.
Despite the team's frequent downs, the IndyCar star has never been in two minds about his support for them.
When Scott McLaughlin revealed the reason behind his unconditional support for the Carolina Panthers
Scott McLaughlin had been following the NFL long before he shifted to America in 2020, his first year testing in IndyCar. On November 17 this year, during the IndyCar offseason, he showed his support for the University of Wisconsin's football team on X.
When a fan replied asking if there was any 'rhyme or reason' to McLaughlin's support of different sports teams, the three-time Supercars champ gave a short explanation for each of his choices, including for the Carolina Panthers. He wrote:
"Knicks, been a fan for years, before Karly. Mets because it’s my wife’s family team (no choice lol). Panthers because Charlotte was the first city I lived in the US. Wisconsin because my spotter said I’d like them and then they had me out to Madison a few years back!"
On December 9, McLaughlin appreciated the Panthers' grit this season despite many games ending in losing causes. He penned a note for them on X, writing:
"Really liking what the @Panthers are showing these last few weeks, although loses. Tough teams held to 1 score and could’ve easily won all 3. I never would’ve thought we could’ve done that a couple months ago lol"
McLaughlin's career trajectory, however, has been opposite to that of the Panthers. In 2024, the Kiwi driver matched his best IndyCar standings finish, third, taking three wins, a series-high five poles, and eight Top 5 finishes. He goes into 2025 aiming to claim the ultimate prize for the first time.