McLaughlin celebrates impressive 2014 V8 Supercar season
Voted on by former drivers and members of the media, the medal was awarded to the 21-year-old star of the Volvo Polestar Racing team for his outstanding sportsmanship, leadership, personality and fan appeal throughout the season. McLaughlin is the first New Zealander to win the medal.
"It's such a huge honour,'' McLaughlin said. "I mean there are so many stars in this sport and I am just a kid. I am just rapt with the year we have had and I have to thank the team."
McLaughlin became a fan favourite from the first round this year when, as the new signing for Volvo Polestar Racing, he took on and defeated reigning champion Whincup in one of the Clipsal 500 races. His youthful exuberance and on-track performance has made Volvo "cool" to a lot of fans, too.
This year, in only his second season in V8 Supercars, McLaughlin claimed 10 pole positions - equal with series champion Jamie Whincup - and won four races on his way to a fifth-place finish in the series. Last year, McLaughlin won the Mike Kable Young Gun award for rookie of the year.
"It has been an amazing year," said McLaughlin after the season-ending Sydney 500. "We met every goal that we set out to achieve this year and I can't thank everyone at GRM and Volvo Polestar in Sweden enough.
"It was great to equal Jamie, the champion, with 10 poles. It has been a fantastic season and I can't wait for next year. I really think we have a good car to have a crack at the championship. I have set some high standards and I am ready to try and beat them in 2015."
The 2015 V8 Supercars Championship begins on February 26 with the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide, where McLaughlin will be partnered at Volvo Polestar Racing by the newly-signed David Wall, who replaces Robert Dahlgren.
2014 V8 Supercar championship positions - Top 10
1 Jamie Whincup, Holden Commodore 3364 points
2 Shane Van Gisbergen, Holden Commodore 2778 (-586)
3 Mark Winterbottom, Ford Falcon 2763 (-601)
4 Craig Lowndes, Holden Commodore 2656 (-708)
5 Scott McLaughlin, Volvo S60 2509 (-855)
6 James Courtney, Holden Commodore 2481 (-883)
7 Chaz Mostert, Ford Falcon 2444 (-920)
8 Fabian Coulthard, Holden Commodore 2430 (-934)
9 Garth Tander, Holden Commodore 2280 (-1084)
10 Michael Caruso, Nissan Altima 1939 (-1425)
