Team Penske is set to promote David Malukas to its IndyCar lineup for the 2026 season, according to recent reports, a move that could leave veteran driver Will Power facing an uncertain future just as he wraps up his current contract. This development, with Team Penske to promote David Malukas, signals a significant shift within Roger Penske‘s storied organization and has drawn attention and debate across the IndyCar world.
Tension Builds Around Will Power’s Contract Status at Team Penske
Will Power, a two-time IndyCar champion, is in the final year of his contract with Team Penske. Despite delivering consistent top-tier results and leading the team’s driver lineup, Power has been left uncertain regarding his future, with no official word from the team about a renewal. Team Penske, renowned under Roger Penske’s leadership for favoring proven winners, has remained tight-lipped, with Power expected to learn about his contract fate only after the season wraps up in Nashville at the end of August.
Amidst this tension, speculation has intensified that Power may be replaced by David Malukas. Marshall Pruett, speaking on his podcast and citing discussions within the IndyCar paddock, pointed out that Team Penske has rarely taken risks by signing drivers without historic wins or pole positions in recent decades. Malukas, competing with AJ Foyt Racing, has reached three podiums but has yet to claim a race win in IndyCar. Pruett shared that this would mark a departure from Team Penske’s traditional selection approach, particularly after his conversation following Power’s recent win in Portland.
“The concept of bringing in somebody in the discipline with zero wins, zero poles, as fully expect to happen with David Malukas… Just mentioning that yeah, this isn’t something that the team has traditionally done…..The response I got was one that made me sad and made me fully acknowledge, yeah, change is gonna happen. None of that’s official. There was no secret. Here’s the real answer of what’s going on and when. None of that. This is just me taking a response to something I said, which wasn’t to try and get a secret answer, but it just came out in a way where I was like, ‘Oh, okay. There we go.’
So yeah, makes no sense to me. You aren’t cutting the lowest-performing person on the roster. You are saying farewell to the highest-performing person on the roster. The one with 45 wins now and 71 poles,” Pruett said [8:15 onwards].
Throughout his time at Team Penske, Power has set records, including achieving 71 pole positions—the most in IndyCar’s history—and securing his 45th career win at the Grand Prix of Portland, which also ended the team’s season-long winless streak. Despite these milestones, Team Penske’s apparent lack of priority toward Power has left many observers perplexed, particularly as he remains a top performer.
Notable figures in IndyCar, such as 2003 champion Paul Tracy, 2016 Indy 500 winner Alexander Rossi, and veteran Graham Rahal, have all expressed confusion and concern over Team Penske’s hesitance to secure Power’s future with the team. Their reactions underscore the weight of Power’s potential departure from one of racing’s most iconic outfits.
David Malukas Emerges as Team Penske’s Chosen Successor
David Malukas has demonstrated notable progress within AJ Foyt Racing this season, shining particularly in qualifying and capturing a podium finish at the 109th Indianapolis 500. The 23-year-old’s adaptability and promise have been recognized, with indications that he is already under contract with Team Penske, currently racing for AJFoyt Racing as part of a strategic arrangement. This arrangement could streamline Malukas’ transition to the main Team Penske lineup in 2026, making the anticipated promotion less complicated than a typical rookie signing.
If confirmed, Malukas’ appointment would mark a rare shift in Team Penske’s hiring practices. The organization’s customary approach favors individuals with a proven record of victories and pole positions, yet Malukas, while talented, has not yet won an IndyCar race.
Potential New Opportunities for Will Power at Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
As Power’s prospects at Team Penske waver, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) has reportedly shown interest in signing him for the 2026 season. This interest could materialize if Team Penske does not renew Power’s contract, opening the door for the two-time champion to extend his career with another reputable team. Graham Rahal, RLL’s veteran driver and son of team co-owner Bobby Rahal, shared his perspective after Power’s Portland victory:
“I don’t know where Will goes. I don’t know what Will does. But all I can say is there’s not many guys better in this series than Will Power. If I were Team Penske, I don’t think I would let him go. But that’s just me.
He’s been better than his teammates the last couple of years. You can’t say any opposite of that. I think Scotty Mac in particular is as top-tier of a talent as there is in the world. For Will to do what he is doing is very impressive for an old man. Gives all of us hope.”
Leading up to the Portland race weekend, Graham Rahal described Will Power as a “great asset” for RLL but emphasized that he would not comment further until Team Penske clarified Power’s contract status. According to the Indy Star, RLL might look to replace Canadian driver Devlin DeFrancesco if the team triggers specific clauses in his deal, thereby potentially clearing a path for Power.
A Season of Change Looms Over Team Penske and the IndyCar Grid
The likely promotion of David Malukas to Team Penske, coupled with Will Power’s contract uncertainty, signals a period of transformation within one of IndyCar’s preeminent teams. For Team Penske, choosing potential over proven accomplishment marks a daring and uncharacteristic bet, while Power’s possible move to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing or another team could reshape the competitive order in future seasons. As the IndyCar community awaits official confirmation, the consequences for drivers, teams, and fans are expected to be significant, with the 2026 season poised as a turning point for both Team Penske and the field.
