David Malukas paid tribute to Will Power’s legacy at the Penske team during the post-qualifying press conference after he himself secured the first pole position at the IndyCar race in Phoenix.

In a moment that blended personal triumph with respect for history, David Malukas captured his maiden NTT P1 Award in dramatic fashion at Phoenix Raceway on Friday, March 6, 2026. The 24-year-old Chicago native, now driving the No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet for Team Penske, delivered a commanding two-lap average of 175.383 mph during qualifying for the Good Ranchers 250. This marked not only Malukas’s first career pole in the NTT IndyCar Series but also a strong statement in his early tenure with one of the sport’s most storied organizations.

Malukas joined Team Penske in the offseason, stepping into the seat previously occupied by Will Power, the Australian veteran who spent 17 full seasons with the team before moving to Andretti Global ahead of the 2026 campaign. Power, a two-time series champion and 2018 Indianapolis 500 winner, left an indelible mark on Penske, contributing to numerous victories and helping solidify the team’s dominance on short ovals like Phoenix. The transition carried significant expectations for Malukas, who had shown promise in previous years with consistent podium finishes on ovals but had yet to claim a pole in 45 prior starts.

The qualifying session at the one-mile tri-oval unfolded under bright Arizona skies, with teams adapting to the track’s unique characteristics after IndyCar’s return to Phoenix following an absence since 2018. Malukas went out in the later group and unleashed a blistering run, posting an opening lap of 175.671 mph followed by a solid 175.096 mph backup. His speed broke the 175 mph barrier for the first time in the session, securing the top spot and leading a front-row lockout for Team Penske.

Teammate Josef Newgarden, a proven short-oval specialist and two-time series champion, qualified second with a 174.548 mph average, underscoring the strength of the team’s preparations.

In the post-qualifying press conference, Malukas reflected on the achievement with a mix of elation and humility. He spoke candidly about the pressure of filling Power’s shoes in the iconic No. 12 car. “No matter what team I’ve been with throughout these years in IndyCar, I’ve always had a form of pressure to deal with, and I think that for Team Penske it’s a special pressure,” Malukas said. He went on to acknowledge the legacy Power built over nearly two decades with Roger Penske’s organization.

Malukas praised Power’s contributions, noting how the veteran driver’s consistency, racecraft, and success on ovals had set a high standard for anyone taking over the seat. “Will Power built something incredible here at Penske—those are big shoes to fill, and I’m just trying to honor that legacy while making my own path,” he added, expressing gratitude for the foundation Power left behind.

The tribute resonated particularly given the contrasting fortunes of the two drivers during the weekend. While Malukas soared to the front, Power endured another challenging outing in his new role at Andretti Global. The No. 26 driver hit the wall during his qualifying attempt, forcing him to start from the back row for Saturday’s 250-lap race. The incident compounded a difficult start to Power’s season, which had already included setbacks in the opener at St. Petersburg.

Despite the setback, Power’s experience and resilience remain respected across the paddock, and Malukas’s words highlighted the mutual admiration between the drivers amid the competitive landscape.

Malukas’s pole position represents a milestone not just for him personally but for Team Penske as it seeks to rebound from a subpar 2025 season. The team entered 2026 with lineup changes, including Malukas’s arrival and the departures that reshaped its driver roster. Early testing at Phoenix in February had already hinted at Malukas’s potential, as he paced the opening day of the Unser IndyCar Open Test and showed immediate comfort in the Chevrolet package. That momentum carried into the race weekend, where practice sessions were interrupted by incidents—including crashes involving Felix Rosenqvist and others—but Malukas and the No.

12 crew maintained focus.

The achievement also spotlighted Malukas’s growth as a driver. Known for strong oval performances earlier in his career, including podiums at Gateway, he had often finished just short of the top spot in qualifying. “I’m so happy,” he said post-qualifying. “So many P2s, but we finally got it.” His enthusiasm was palpable, as he embraced family members trackside and soaked in the moment after years of building toward such breakthroughs.

Looking ahead to the Good Ranchers 250 on Saturday, March 7, at 3 p.m. ET (broadcast on FOX), Malukas starts from the pole with a clear opportunity to convert the position into his first career victory. The 250-lap event, part of a NASCAR-IndyCar doubleheader weekend at Phoenix, promises intense competition on the flat, high-speed oval where tire management and restarts often decide outcomes. With Newgarden alongside him on the front row and other contenders like Graham Rahal in third and Mick Schumacher in fourth, the race could feature plenty of action.

Malukas emphasized his eagerness to capitalize on the pole. “This is the best opportunity yet to turn speed into a win,” he noted, alluding to the confidence gained from the qualifying run. Team Penske’s historical success on short ovals—bolstered by drivers like Newgarden and the engineering prowess of the organization—positions Malukas well for a strong showing.

Beyond the immediate race, Malukas’s performance and his gracious tribute to Power underscore a theme of continuity and evolution in IndyCar. Teams like Penske thrive on legacies passed from one generation to the next, and Malukas appears poised to contribute to that tradition. As he settles into the role, his words in the press conference served as a reminder that success in motorsport often builds on the foundations laid by those who came before.

In a sport defined by speed, risk, and relentless pursuit of victory, moments like Malukas’s pole and his nod to Power highlight the human element that elevates competition. As the field prepares for Saturday’s green flag, all eyes will be on the No. 12 car and whether Malukas can translate qualifying dominance into race-day glory while carrying forward the Penske legacy with respect and determination.