AJ Foyt Racing is considering a 23-year-old Indy NXT driver, Caoi Collet, as a potential replacement for David Malukas in the No. 4 Chevy for the 2026 IndyCar season. This move follows Malukas’s departure to Team Penske, where he will fill the seat left by Will Power, who is leaving Andretti Global.
AJ Foyt Racing Shifts Focus From Rinus Veekay to Caoi Collet
For a time, Rinus Veekay was believed to be the leading candidate to take over Malukas’s seat at AJ Foyt Racing. Veekay declined a contract renewal from Dale Coyne Racing and confirmed he would not return to that team in 2026. However, recent reports have ruled out Veekay as a replacement option for AJ Foyt Racing.
Instead, the team, led by Larry Foyt, is showing strong interest in Caoi Collet, who earned the 2024 Indy NXT Rookie of the Year award and finished runner-up in the 2025 season behind champion Dennis Hauger. AJ Foyt Racing plans to evaluate Collet during an upcoming test at the Mid-Ohio track on October 1, which could lead to a full-time signing for the 2026 season.
Alongside Collet, Hauger, who has signed with Dale Coyne Racing for 2026, will also take part in the Mid-Ohio test. Team Penske will be the third team involved in testing at the circuit.
Uncertain Futures for Veekay Amid Limited IndyCar Openings
The status of Rinus Veekay’s 2026 destination remains uncertain. Currently, three seats are available: at Dale Coyne Racing, AJ Foyt Racing, and Juncos Hollinger Racing. Given that AJ Foyt Racing has ruled out Veekay and Dale Coyne Racing’s seat is also filled by Hauger, Juncos Hollinger Racing appears to be Veekay’s only guaranteed option unless Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing opens a spot. This possibility depends on rumors about Devlin DeFrancesco’s performance clause that may lead to his exit.
Larry Foyt Wanted to Keep David Malukas for Another Year
AJ Foyt Racing’s team principal, Larry Foyt, expressed a strong desire to retain 24-year-old David Malukas for the 2026 season. However, Malukas’s contract and sponsorship ties to Team Penske complicated this effort, limiting AJ Foyt Racing’s control over the situation. In late August, Foyt praised Malukas’s talent and personality, indicating the team’s intent to keep him onboard.
“David’s been great to have, no doubt, got a lot of talent, and really quick. Definitely a funny, interesting guy. He cracks me up. And then he’s done a great job. Would love to keep them around for another year; not sure about what’s going to happen there, but we’ll just see and keep working on things. And if that’s not the way it’s going to be, that’ll be okay, and we’ll keep going.”
– Larry Foyt, AJ Foyt Racing Team Principal
Malukas’s stay with AJ Foyt Racing was tied to Will Power’s contract decisions at Team Penske. Had Power accepted a one-year extension, Malukas would likely have remained with AJ Foyt Racing. Instead, Power declined the offer, reportedly due to family considerations and feelings of unreciprocated loyalty following contract timing and negotiations.
Upcoming Evaluations Could Shape the 2026 Driver Lineup
The test at Mid-Ohio on October 1 represents a crucial moment for Caoi Collet and other drivers aiming to step up to IndyCar full-time. Collet’s strong rookie season and close contention in the 2025 Indy NXT championship put him in a promising position. Meanwhile, Hauger will transition to IndyCar with Dale Coyne Racing after securing the 2025 title, intensifying competition for teams to secure talented drivers.
AJ Foyt Racing’s decision to test Collet signals a shift toward younger talent as the team plans for the future despite the uncertain departures of key drivers. How these moves will affect the balance of power among teams like AJ Foyt Racing, Team Penske, and Dale Coyne Racing remains to be seen, with the 2026 season poised to bring notable changes on the grid.
Driver replacements in IndyCar are always pivotal, affecting team dynamics and championship prospects. AJ Foyt Racing’s strategy to cultivate fresh talent like Collet may offer long-term advantages but also poses risks amid a highly competitive environment.
