David Malukas is set to fulfill his dream of racing for Team Penske in 2026. He will have big shoes to fill as he takes the wheel of the No. 12 Chevrolet, replacing Will Power. The road for Malukas hasn’t been easy, with a lot of ups and downs, especially over the past two years, but the promotion shows Penske believes he’s ready. Let’s explore his journey towards achieving this dream.
Ups and Downs
Malukas spent his first two seasons with Dale Coyne Racing where he displayed his speed and skill. He particularly shined on ovals, earning an impressive second place finish at World Wide Technology Raceway in his rookie season. After starting 12th he worked his way up the order nearly passing Josef Newgarden for the win on the last lap but ultimately settling for second place ahead of Scott McLaughlin. The next year he earned a third at that same track and fourth at Texas Motor Speedway.
His display of speed led Arrow McLaren to sign Malukas for the 2024 season and beyond as the driver of the No. 6 car. He was looking forward to the jump joining a top team in IndyCar. However, his plans for 2024 were quickly derailed after sustaining a wrist injury during a mountain biking accident in February. The injury which required surgury kept him off the grid longer than expected, leading to his release from the team.
Malukas returned to the cockpit in early June with Meyer Shank Racing for the remaining 10 races of the season. His pace while still recovering was special. He started in the top six five times, including third, for three races. He managed to finish in the top 10 twice with a best result of sixth on the streets of Toronto.
Relationship with Team Penske
Malukas joins A.J. Foyt Racing for 2025 as part of a technical alliance with Team Penske. This wasn’t the first time Penske and the 24-year-old have worked together. In 2021, he did IndyCar testing not only with Dale Coyne Racing at Barber Motorsports Park, but also a second test with Team Penske on the Indianapolis road course. The opportunity of getting into the car, he called it “the Rolls Royce of IndyCar.”
His season with A.J. Foyt Racing was highlighted by an impressive third place at the 109th Indianapolis 500. After starting seventh Malukas found himself in the fight for the win up until the final stages of the race. The third place on track turned into a second in the books due to the disqualification of Marcus Ericsson.
Malukas ended 2025 recording two top-five finishes, five top-10s, and led 97 laps, to finish 11th in the final standings, highest in his IndyCar career. The timing couldn’t have come at a better time. Between A.J. Foyt Racing and Penske’s partnership and Power’s contract situation, Malukas was rumoured to be the perfect driver to step to the plate if Power were to leave.
The rumours became a reality on Sept. 18 when Penske announced they signed Malukas to a multiyear agreement starting 2026, a life accomplishment for the 24-year-old,
“Racing for Team Penske is the goal for every young race car driver, and I am honored to be one that gets to live out that dream,” he said.
Looking Ahead to 2026
This upcoming season will be an important one for Malukas. He is coming into a storied franchise, suited up beside McLaughlin and Newgarden, filling the shoes of Power in the No. 12 car. The same car, Power won 42 races in, including the 2018 Indianapolis 500, and two championships.
Malukas, on the other hand, has yet to capture a victory or earn a pole position in 61 starts himself. However, he said he sees this as an opportunity because he knows that Penske is one of the best teams in the paddock.
Coming into a new team and new environment, driving with one of the top teams in the series will always come with its challenges, growing pains, and lessons as the season goes along. But if anyone is willing to put in the work, it’s Malukas.
Malukas will make his Team Penske debut in the No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet at the 2026 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Sunday, March 1.