David Malukas had the unenviable job of replacing a legend, Will Power, in the Team Penske #12 Verizon car for the 2026 season. With just four seasons under his belt prior to this, he’s currently second in the IndyCar driver’s championship, outperforming expectations anyone had for him coming into the year. The son of Lithuanian immigrants who settled in Chicago and created very successful trucking business. David and his dad bonded early over motorsports and began carting together when David was just 6 years old. He still brings that childlike joy to the track every day and is one of the most charismatic driver’s on the grid.
We sat down with him prior to testing for the upcoming OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland and are fascinated by some of the things we learned about this emerging star.
Rides & Drives
David, thanks so much for joining us and taking the time. It’s nice to get to talk to you a little longer than just some of the quick hits by the track. When when we see you. First of all, We’d love to just ask how you’re doing. How’s the leg after the accident?
David Malukas
It’s many different colors right now. It definitely doesn’t look normal, but it’s all good. You know, we’re healing. We’re on the healing process. Thankfully, I’ve been able to just be home since the race. I’ve been sleeping so good and my body’s been taken asleep and needs to just recover from everything from the knee, the neck, low risk flare up. It was a tough one. But thankfully, I can be in pain and be happy because it’s better to be in pain and be sad.
Rides & Drives
Your passion for motorsports born at least partially out of your relationship with your father. Can you talk a little bit about some of those early experiences with your dad at the track?
David Malukas
Yeah. Wow. Memories from when I was a kid. Well, I remember all the moments. One I remember, he would never let me drink, Coca Cola because he said it had too much sugar. And it was bad for me. And, I remember almost missing one of my sessions because he’s trying to find me. And I was hiding in the back of somebody’s trailer, secretly drinking a Coca Cola. That’s one memory I remember by heart.
Rides & Drives
What did he do when he caught you?
David Malukas
He yelled at me and said, hey, you’re on track in five minutes. I freaked out, and I was like, what? So then we both started sprinting. And it was funny because I was so little I was still running so slowly. So he picked me up. He pretty much ran me to the car and got me in the seat right when we were supposed to go out. It was pretty cool because we both we love the racing. At that time, I just didn’t know that I was on track. We have so many good memories. It was something that me and my dad would just go do on the weekends. He was also karting as well. I grew up with three sisters, so it was our father/son activity to just get away and enjoy time together. And it was the foundation, right? It was the foundational pillar for creating all these memories and a love for motorsports that led us on this trajectory to IndyCar.
Rides & Drives
Speaking of Indy, obviously, we were in the media room after the race and felt your disappointment. After that result, you’ve gone back and looked at that last lap multiple times, I’m sure. Is there anything you’d do differently looking at it now?
David Malukas
Oh, of course. So many things I could do differently. I was in a P3 position last year for the Indy 500 in 25. And I was never in an ending battle race at the 500. I’ve never been a part of that. And I learned so much. I was just grateful to be there. I studied it for 365 days to come into 2026, and then I felt so prepared that if I am in a winning situation in the end, I know what to do. I looked at so many videos, looked at all the history, and normally whoever’s leading going into turn three on the final lap, that is your winner. And then the job there is pretty much done.
I was shocked to see that Felix just had such an incredible run coming out of turn four. But he’s also done something that we haven’t seen in many, many years, especially with this new cars, hanging it around the outside for a full lap. I think he’s just built up so much momentum doing that outside lane that it was almost like a slingshot coming out of turn four, and he was able to get that run. So out of all the studying I did, that scenario was never there. So I wasn’t prepared for it. So it was something that now I’ve learned. Now I know that the opportunity is still there to even if you’re leading into turn three, it’s still not done and over. So, you know, a lot of learning, a lot of different ideas that if I were to be in that situation again, I know the right thing to do now.
Rides & Drives
Even the brief moments we’ve been able to listen to you, it’s been really clear that you do a lot of preparation and planning, that you are very thoughtful about the way you race and about what you’re looking for. You’ve had a wildly successful first season with Penske. I don’t think there’s anybody who argues with that. Does that change how you approach next season?
David Malukas
For sure. I’m very excited for for next season because, you know, this year, although it’s been so good, you know, we’ve been making mistakes. It’s it’s a new team, a lot of new people trying to build this relationship, this chemistry. We’ve been learning so much from each and every single one and just keep building on it and where we are now. Compared to where we were at St. Pete it’s night and day. It’s not even a comparison. To think that we’re already doing this well, the potential through the ceiling. It’s exciting to see what the future’s bringing. But for sure 2027, there’s still going to be a lot of planning, right? There’s a large bucket list of items that we’re all writing down that need improvement. Because we’re already in season, we’re not going to really find those results here yet. We’re saving it for the off season. So right after Laguna, we’re going to go on vacation for two weeks and go right back into the shop and start honing down on this checklist, this To-Do list that we got to work on. And by the time January comes around, we want to be, fully prepared and ready to go to go into St. Pete in March.
Rides & Drives
Portland has been on the calendar for 40 years for IndyCar. It’s a classic track. What do you like about racing there and what makes the track interesting for you?
David Malukas
Well, for me, it’s not the famous turn one, but it’s actually the, the infield section. You know, when you go from turn four all the way to turn seven, it’s so technical and so unique. No other track I feel like, has that sort of feeling to it. And it’s this flow, you know, it all just feels like one corner. And yes, you’re, you’re going from one corner to the next. But whatever you do in turn four, if you enter a little bit wider, if you go a little bit tighter, if you carry more speed on entry, it will affect where your car is positioned in turn seven. And that’s what makes it so unique. When you can get that right and you can get that flow perfect, you’re going to be fast and it’s going to be a really good feeling. And when you achieve that, Portland is one of your favorite tracks ever. But if you mess up in one of those corners, you’ve now messed up all of them. And now it’s a track that you don’t like. So it’s so, you know, it has such a wide swing of emotions. And I think that’s what I love so much about it.
It’s very technical, it’s very tough. But if you can get it right, it will be one of your favorites. Great. And then you’ve talked quite a bit this season about, you know, Penske’s preparation.
Rides & Drives
What specifically for Portland has been different in your prep with Penske?
David Malukas
Well, each and every year, no matter how good a car can be, you always tend to flip it for some reason. If it’s new tires, something changing with the cars, different weather, you can never really go on with the same car. I know other drivers know this as well. And looking at last year, obviously the number 12 won this race. So now we’re trying to be ahead of it. But what is weather going to be like on these new tires? What are we experiencing with from a tire relationship to a grip relationship from last year and trying to stay ahead of that so we can actually unload with that? Whatever we think from last year’s car to this year, we can unload to start being on that forefront of like, hey, these are the changes that we think we want to make. If we can unload that in practice. One, by the time qualifying the race comes around, we can hopefully maintain that that same speed that they had last year.
Rides & Drives
Does driving the car that won last year put any additional pressure on you this year?
David Malukas
I would say no. First of all, I don’t know if it’s been announced, but we’re gonna have to take another engine penalty when we come there. So it’s going to be it’s going to be tough from that perspective. But everything’s always up to play for. You know, you can have a yellow flag here, and now you’re out of it. Another one there, and you’re back into it. So it’s all just trying to stay consistent, keep fighting to the end. No matter what happens at the beginning of the race or qualifying, you have an opportunity to win no matter where you are. That’s what makes IndyCar special.
Rides & Drives
You’ve been to Portland a few times. We’re guessing you’ve had a few donuts. Are you Team Blue Star or Team Voodoo?
David Malukas
Team Voodoo or Blue Star? Oh boy, is this going to get me in trouble. I have never actually had Blue Star.
Rides & Drives
You’re going to have to go and report back and let us know.
David Malukas
I know. I’m gonna have to let you know. I’ve had Voodoo but I have never had Blue Star. So we’ll see. I’ll have to let you know.
Rides & Drives
In the Nashville post-race press conference, you talked about your good luck charms; baby Jesus, the Marine Coin and your little pink ducky. Do you have any other race rituals that help you out a little bit?
David Malukas
I mean, yeah. Where do we start? I have so many little things I’ve just built up throughout the years of growing up. But one of them, I always need to get in the car from the same side. My mom always pours holy water. We always do our final hug before I get in the car and she pours a bit of holy water on me. And lastly, whatever meal I had for qualifying day, if it was a very good day, I need to have the exact same meal at the exact same time. Otherwise I just feel like I’m going to get a stomach ache while I’m out there, and it’s going to reduce my focus. And now I’m making mistakes and then the race is over.
Rides & Drives
Hey it works for you. I guess we’re up at the end of our time, but thank you so much for taking time. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you a little better.
David Malukas
All right. Well, thank you for having me.
