David Malukas, the newest driver for Team Penske, earned his inaugural IndyCar pole position during qualifying at Phoenix Raceway. The 24-year-old was driving the iconic #12 Verizon Chevrolet and paid homage to the legacy of Will Power, his predecessor in the team, during the post-qualifying press conference.
Malukas was brought in to replace Will Power for the 2026 season after Power’s 17-year tenure with Team Penske came to an end. Taking over the Chevrolet that Power famously used to win multiple IndyCar titles and the Indianapolis 500, Malukas immediately made an impact by capturing pole position in only his second race with the team.
Qualifying Battle Highlights Malukas’s Skill and Team Penske’s Heritage
During the qualifying session, Graham Rahal initially held provisional pole. However, Malukas quickly surpassed Rahal’s pace with two outstanding laps, setting the fastest times and seizing the pole position. Josef Newgarden challenged fiercely but ultimately fell short by just 0.8 mph, securing second place in qualifying.
Newgarden, who had narrowly missed poles on several occasions in the past, finally achieved the next fastest time after Malukas’s run. This close competition underscored the strength and depth of Team Penske’s roster.
Malukas Reflects on Pressure and Legacy in Team Penske’s #12 Car
After qualifying, Malukas shared his thoughts on the high expectations associated with driving for Team Penske, especially in the #12 car, long associated with Will Power. He expressed excitement about the challenge and respect for the history of the team and the car number.
“Foe Team Penske it’s a special pressure and it’s one that I’m very excited to deal with. For me Team Penske has always been my dream. You’re going into a car that has a legacy.”
“The Verizon #12 car, throughout all these years, the history and obviously Will Power. What an incredible name and I grew up watching him on TV, there’s always pressure there. No matter where you’re at there is always a form of pressure. This one is one that I’m excited to deal with, one that I feel like I’m going to thrive in,” added David Malukas as he paid tribute to Will Power
David Malukas Matches Will Power’s Early Career Milestone at Team Penske
Will Power joined Team Penske in 2009 after leaving KV Racing Technology, quickly earning his first pole position at the Grand Prix of Long Beach in only his second race with the team. Similarly, Malukas achieved pole position at Phoenix Raceway in just his second outing with Roger Penske’s team, drawing a parallel between the two drivers’ early accomplishments.
“Oh, man, finally, I’m just so happy. We had so many P2s. The story of all of last season is we wait until the last few guys and then, boom, we get P2. But finally, we got it! I think the track got in our favor a little bit, it looked like it was getting a bit worse, but we got it. Feels so good,” said Malukas after the qualifying session.
During qualifying, Will Power unfortunately crashed while attempting his run, impacting the barrier with over 50G. He was promptly evaluated at the infield medical center and has since been cleared by Team Penske.
The Importance of Malukas’s Pole and What Lies Ahead for Team Penske
David Malukas’s impressive pole position reflects not only his talent but also the promising continuation of a legacy built by Will Power at Team Penske. Securing pole in such a short period signals that Malukas is adapting well to the pressures and prestige of driving the iconic #12 car.
As the 2025 IndyCar season progresses, Malukas’s performance will be closely watched, both by fans and the team, as he strives to build on the foundation laid by Power while carving out his own place in IndyCar history. The momentum from Phoenix Raceway could propel Malukas into a competitive season, strengthening Team Penske’s presence in the championship battle.
