David Malukas, driving the iconic No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet, has claimed his first IndyCar pole and now looks to establish a lasting Team Penske IndyCar legacy. Preparing for only his second start with the team, Malukas will take the front row beside veteran teammate and two-time series champion Josef Newgarden at the Good Racher 250 held at Phoenix Raceway this Saturday.
This major milestone arrives as Malukas embraces the pressures and expectations that come with racing under Roger Penske’s direction, a challenge he acknowledges but approaches energetically.
A Journey Through IndyCar Shapes a Determined Racer
At 24, Malukas, the son of Lithuanian immigrants, reflects on a career that has already taken him across multiple teams. Early on, he earned recognition as a journeyman, with stints at Dale Coyne, a brief and rocky period signed with Arrow McLaren, a run with Meyer Shank Racing, and most recently, a time at AJ Foyt Racing. His varied experience paved the path that led him to replace Will Power in the coveted No. 12 ride.
Sharing insights with Road & Track, Malukas credits his development to this roundabout journey, stating,
“From all these different teams that I’ve had and different experiences from IndyCar, if it’s from Honda, if that be from Andretti, and all these things, I think I can bring a perspective of how is Team Penske compared to to all these other cars,”
Malukas told R&T.
“I feel like it’s a lot of information and data that I have stored in there.”
Integrating Into a Veteran Team Environment
Malukas joins a Team Penske IndyCar organization renowned for its stability and consistency. Scott McLaughlin enters his fifth season with The Captain’s team, and Josef Newgarden marks ten years as a Penske driver since the famed outfit celebrated its 50th anniversary. For Malukas, the experience and continuity of his teammates offer valuable learning opportunities as he seeks to contribute and grow.
“From my side, it’s trying to control the youth in me, right? Not getting too anxious or making these aggressive, exciting moves, keeping things under control so we can have that consistency. I feel like having that balance in the team between me, Josef, and Scott, I think it’s going to be working really well. And I think so far after St. Pete, the way things are meshing and connecting, I think it’s strong, and I think we’re going to carry that on for the rest of 2026.”
Stepping Into the Shoes of a Childhood Hero
Will Power, Malukas’s predecessor, was a fixture at Team Penske since 2009, achieving two championships and an Indy 500 triumph during his tenure. Malukas’s admiration for Power traces back to his youth, reminiscing about watching the Australian racer on television and getting in trouble for scooting indoors as he tried to emulate Power’s racing exploits. The significance of inheriting Power’s seat is not lost on Malukas.
“This is who I grew up watching on TV,”
Malukas said of Power.
“This is the person who got me IndyCar. I mean, the name itself, Will Power, right? I mean, it’s incredible. I can’t believe it.”
Racing wheel-to-wheel with Power in his IndyCar debut was a moment of realization for Malukas—cementing his place among the top tier of open-wheel racing.
The Drive to Make an Impact with the No. 12 Penske Chevy
Reflecting on his progression and the journey that brought him to Team Penske, Malukas recognizes the opportunity now before him. From a memorable debut race where Power seized a podium while Malukas’s introduction ended with a turn-four crash, to now securing poles and defining his own narrative, the path has been both challenging and rewarding.
“I’ve worked hard to get here, and now it’s really hard work to make sure that we can stay here and not just stay here, but to be remembered.”
Malukas now carries the responsibility of building on the legacy of both Power and Team Penske, driven by an aspiration to see his name etched alongside those IndyCar greats who came before him.
What Malukas’s Ambition Means for Team Penske’s Future
With the synergy of experience and fresh ambition, Team Penske is poised for a pivotal new chapter. Malukas, motivated by the dream of racing for his childhood heroes and proved by a hard-fought journey through the paddock, brings both energy and depth of perspective. As the team aims to capture more victories and maintain its dominance in a fiercely competitive IndyCar field, all eyes will be on the No. 12 to see whether Malukas’s determination will translate into a new era of success and lasting legacy for Team Penske.
