Scott McLaughlin wants to do Bathurst with Shane van Gisbergen
McLaughlin, van Gisbergen were arch-rivals in Supercars for a decade
McLaughlin famously defeated van Gisbergen in 2019 Great Race
Scott McLaughlin has revealed his "ultimate dream" is to contest the Bathurst 1000 with former arch-rival Shane van Gisbergen.
McLaughlin and van Gisbergen, now vying for wins in IndyCar and NASCAR respectively in the United States, went head-to-head in Supercars for the best part of a decade.
The New Zealanders famously duelled for victory in the 2019 Great Race, which fell the way of McLaughlin.
Speaking on SPEED with Harvick and Buxton, McLaughlin told host Will Buxton that his burning desire is to get back to Mount Panorama, and race with van Gisbergen.
"My ultimate dream, honestly, would be to go back with Shane, and run a wildcard," McLaughlin said.
"It would be incredible. He can't do it because of NASCAR right now, but that would be my want. I'd love to go back with him in a wildcard."
McLaughlin's last Supercars race came at the 2020 Bathurst 1000, before he shifted Stateside. Van Gisbergen won Bathurst three times, before moving to the States in 2024.
McLaughlin was set to contest the 2021 Bathurst 1000 with Dick Johnson Racing before COVID-19 intervened.
It's understood Triple Eight approached McLaughlin about co-driving with van Gisbergen in 2023, after Garth Tander departed the team.
"I'd love to race Le Mans. I would love to just do it and, and say I've done it, and give it a crack," McLaughlin continued.
"Nürburgring 24 Hour is something that be pretty cool. A lot of people tell me that, that that's just one of the craziest races in the world. I might have to ask the wife to do that one.
"But yeah, watching Bathurst and Supercars, I'd love to race Bathurst again. I really would. I think it's a really great track. The event itself, it's a one race a year where I probably miss home a little bit.
"Watch every inch of it. So yeah, I'd love to go back there and maybe have a chance at winning a second Bathurst 1000."
McLaughlin is now a regular win contender, and insisted he has to honour his obligations to Team Penske and his IndyCar program before committing to other races.
"Look, it, it's in my off season. But I've got to be careful, you know, I race for Roger, and make sure that I'm here for testing," McLaughlin said.
"You throw a couple feelers out there and just see where everyone's at, and obviously it's quite a complex situation with me personally from a sponsor perspective. You've gotta do the right thing commercially.
"But look, but never say never."
