IT’S A DREAM” David Malukas talks about achieving spectacular success with his new teammates at Penske, Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin

David Malukas is living out what he calls a lifelong aspiration. The 24-year-old Chicago-area native has stepped into one of the most coveted seats in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, driving the No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet for Team Penske in the 2026 season. Replacing the legendary Will Power, who moved to Andretti Global, Malukas now shares the garage with two proven champions: two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden and former Supercars standout Scott McLaughlin. For Malukas, the move represents more than a career upgrade—it’s the realization of a dream he has chased since his early days in open-wheel racing.

The announcement came in September 2025, when Team Penske confirmed the multiyear deal that had been rumored throughout the previous season. Malukas had spent 2025 with AJ Foyt Racing, delivering consistent performances that included two top-five finishes and five top-10 results. His progression from Dale Coyne Racing to Meyer Shank Racing and then to Foyt had shown steady improvement, but joining Penske elevated him to a new level. The team, with its storied history as the winningest organization in INDYCAR, offered resources, engineering depth, and a winning culture that Malukas had long admired.

“It’s a dream,” Malukas said recently during the Unser INDYCAR Open Test at Phoenix Raceway. “I get to race this beautiful car. It’s fantastic. It’s a dream for me. So every time I come in and out of the pits, I’m smiling.” His enthusiasm was palpable as he described the seamless integration with his new environment. The test marked his first official on-track session with the team on an oval, and he wasted no time making an impression.

Malukas topped the leaderboard on the opening day with a blistering lap of 172.605 mph, edging out teammate Newgarden, who posted 172.021 mph for a Penske 1-2. Scott McLaughlin rounded out the team’s strong showing, finishing inside the top 10.

The Phoenix test provided an early glimpse into the chemistry building among the trio. Malukas highlighted the immediate benefits of working alongside drivers with such extensive experience. Newgarden, a veteran with 34 career victories and multiple championships, brings unparalleled knowledge of setups and race strategy. McLaughlin, known for his aggressive style and quick adaptation from other racing disciplines, adds another dimension of speed and insight. For Malukas, having access to their data, feedback, and shared engineering resources has been transformative.

“Having these great minds at Team Penske makes it a lot more fun,” Malukas explained. “The chemistry I have with the guys, the team—I’m just so happy.” He noted how the shared information allows for rapid progress. During the test, the team focused on adapting to Phoenix’s unique layout, which features a dogleg configuration and demands precise handling adjustments between the tighter Turns 1 and 2 and the more open Turns 3 and 4.

Malukas drew positive comparisons to Gateway, where he has historically performed well, expressing confidence that the similarities would help him translate his strengths to the new venue.

The move to Penske came after a period of transition for the team. The 2025 season had been challenging, with subpar results prompting changes, including Power’s departure. Roger Penske’s decision to bring in Malukas signaled a commitment to youth and potential while maintaining championship pedigree. At 24, Malukas becomes the youngest full-time driver in the team’s history, a distinction that adds pressure but also excitement. He inherits the iconic No. 12 car, long associated with Power’s successes, including the 2018 Indy 500 victory.

Malukas has spoken openly about the adjustment process. Relocating and adapting to a top-tier organization required settling into new routines, but he described feeling “the best I’ve felt in a very long time.” The team’s engineering prowess and attention to detail have made the transition smoother than expected. “Everything felt very clear,” he said of the test sessions. “We got a lot of answers.” The ability to compare notes directly with Newgarden and McLaughlin has accelerated his learning curve, allowing him to fine-tune his approach in ways that smaller teams could not match.

Looking ahead, expectations are high for the 2026 campaign. The season opener at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 1 will mark Malukas’s official debut in the Penske colors. With the team’s rebound ambitions and Malukas’s raw talent, the partnership holds promise for immediate impact. His recent performances suggest he is ready to contend, and the early test results have only fueled optimism.

For Malukas, the journey has been about perseverance. From his INDY NXT days, where he racked up podiums, to navigating multiple teams in the series, he has built a reputation as a driver who improves with better equipment. Now, in the premier environment of Team Penske, that potential appears poised to flourish. Sharing the cockpit insights with Newgarden and McLaughlin is not just a professional perk—it’s a competitive edge that Malukas values deeply.

“It’s striking gold with these teammates,” he reflected in discussions around the Phoenix test. The experience, the setups, the collective drive toward victory—all align with what he has always envisioned. As the season approaches, Malukas continues to embrace the moment, smiling through every pit stop and lap. For a young driver who has waited for this opportunity, the dream is no longer hypothetical. It’s unfolding in real time, one high-speed lap at a time, alongside two of the series’ brightest stars.