In the past two years, David Malukas has experienced multiple relocations tied closely to his IndyCar career. Originally moving from Chicago to Indianapolis to be near Arrow McLaren, Malukas faced an unexpected setback when a mountain biking injury ended his time with the team. Despite this, he stayed in Indianapolis, which positioned him for his current opportunity with Team Penske. Last September, Malukas accepted the role of replacing Will Power in the No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet for Team Penske, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, prompting another move further south and fresh challenges.
Long-Distance Family Dynamics Intensify with the Move
Malukas’ relocation has not only altered his professional life but also strained his personal relationships, especially with his father Henry, who remains in Illinois. Before the move to Charlotte, Henry had grown accustomed to living close to Malukas in Indianapolis and had even planned for extra space in his son’s apartment. Now, with the expanded distance, the father-son communication has increased dramatically.
Malukas shared,
“He calls me a lot more than we used to talk because now I’m so far away. It’s probably three times a day.”
He humorously mimicked his father’s thick Lithuanian accent to illustrate their frequent conversations.
He added,
“He’ll call, and then he’ll text me if I don’t answer because sometimes I know he just wants to talk,”
recounting his routine check-ins.
“I’m like, ‘Oh, man, what’s going on?’ I call him back and he’s like: ‘Hey, what’s up, man? What’s it like in Charlotte? Good? Tell me about Penske. What’s going on?’”
These calls are often lengthy as his father delights in extended conversations despite Malukas’ busy schedule.
“I’ll say, ‘OK, I’ve got to go now,’ and he’s like, ‘Wait, wait, wait,’”
Malukas explained,
“He just stutters because he wants to stay on the call. He’s more excited than I am. The dude is having a great time.”
Their relationship brings a unique blend of humor and warmth amid the pressures of relocation and career demands.
Potential for Another Relocation as Family Interests Shift
Malukas revealed that his father increasingly considers moving closer to him in Charlotte.
“He really wants to move to Charlotte,”
Malukas said, adding that Henry is even exploring ways to leverage the company network.
“I think he’s trying to find an excuse through the company, like HMD – ‘Hey, maybe Charlotte, let’s try to go there.’”
This possibility indicates how Malukas’ professional decisions are directly influencing his family’s future plans.
Kyle Kirkwood Chooses Continuity Over Free Agency
While Malukas faces upheavals, Kyle Kirkwood appears to be pursuing stability in his racing career. Following a breakout 2025 season, where he finished fourth overall in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship and earned three wins, Kirkwood became one of the series’ most formidable drivers. His rise included securing his first oval victory at the World Wide Technology Raceway in June, a significant milestone after two seasons with Andretti Global.
Despite expectations of testing the free-agent market after the 2026 season, Kirkwood opted to extend his contract with Andretti Global on November 3, committing to the team for the foreseeable future.
He explained,
“We all have a lot of confidence with each other and this team. It’s just proving my loyalty to this program as they have for me. It felt like the right thing to do at the right time.”
Kirkwood is now the longest-serving driver at Andretti Global, where he won the 2021 INDY NXT by Firestone championship before returning after his rookie INDYCAR season in 2023. His teammates include Marcus Ericsson and newcomer Will Power, bringing substantial experience to the lineup.
Kirkwood added,
“I think it all equals out. We all share responsibility in that sense.”
Alex Palou Acknowledges Strong Competition in INDYCAR
Alex Palou remains a dominant figure with four NTT INDYCAR SERIES championships, including three consecutive titles. Despite his success, he maintains a vigilant outlook regarding his competitors.
Palou said, “Everybody,” when asked whose performance he is monitoring.
“You never know. Is it going to be (Will) Power with Andretti? Is it going to be (David) Malukas, (Scott) Dixon, (Kyle) Kirkwood? I think it changes every single year, and you can’t count one person, one driver, or one team out. That’s the beauty of INDYCAR.”
He emphasized the unpredictability of the competition, stating,
“I have everybody in mind, and at the same time, I don’t have anybody. It’s too early. To really have someone in mind, we need to be in the fight ourselves.”
Palou’s focus now is on preparation, saying,
“I’m focused on the No. 10 car — getting to the Sebring test as prepared as possible, then heading to St. Pete to see what our speed looks like. Is it the same as last year, or better? Hopefully better.”
He recognized that surprises are possible, noting both his own and Kirkwood’s impressive performances last season:
“Nobody expected the No. 10 to win eight races last year. Nobody expected Kirkwood to win three of the first six, either.”
Acknowledging the fiercely competitive environment, Palou concluded,
“You just can’t count anybody out.”
Scott Dixon Receives Knighthood from New Zealand
Scott Dixon, a six-time champion and 59-time race winner, was honored this offseason with a knighthood from New Zealand, recognizing his exceptional contributions to motorsport.
Dixon described his reaction to the honor as a mixture of surprise and pride. “Kind of wild,” he said.
“I got an email maybe in November or late October and honestly thought it was spam. I sent it to my wife and said, ‘What is this letter?’ It basically asked if you’d accept the honor if it was put forward, and even then, you don’t know if it’s actually going to happen.”
He added,
“After that there’s a two- or three-week embargo before the announcement, so you start to get an idea. But not in my wildest dreams, I don’t think I’d ever even thought about something like that.”
Reflecting on the significance of receiving such an accolade from his homeland, Dixon said,
“Yeah, shocking. But a massive honor.”
He also expressed deep pride in representing New Zealand internationally:
“I’ve always loved and been very proud to fly the flag for New Zealand,”
and acknowledged how the support of fellow Kiwis helped his racing career abroad.
“The recognition for motorsport was really big. There aren’t many people who have been in that situation.”
Additional Updates from the Racing Community
Will Power recently participated in his first Content Day session with his new team, Andretti Global, appreciating the continuity despite the transition. He noted,
“When I walked in, they have all the driver suits hanging up for the day here. The Verizon suit is the first one you see. Same suit I wore last year. Looks exactly the same. It was, ‘Oh, no, that’s not me.’”
Ryan Hunter-Reay shared the significance of driving the No. 31 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet in the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500. The number 31 marked the beginning of his IndyCar journey in 2003 with Team Johansson and symbolizes a cherished part of his career.
“I raced the 31 all through karting, Skip Barber, the Barber Dodge Pro Series and Formula Atlantic,”
he explained.
“It’s a big part of my racing past. We got to talking about numbers, and that one just kind of hit and resonated. They liked it, and said, ‘Let’s roll with it.’ It’s a good little story.”
Off the track, Sting Ray Robb has been managing his Indianapolis-area home renovations while caring for 11 chickens.
“Having our own little farmstead going on here in Indianapolis has been good,”
Robb said.
“Getting them not to peck each other – you’ve never heard of the pecking order? I didn’t realize this was a real thing. I thought it was just a fun phrase.”
Marcus Armstrong and Scott McLaughlin, both natives of New Zealand, showed enthusiasm for the Super Bowl by unanimously picking the New England Patriots as their favorite. “Patriots, baby,” Armstrong declared.
Marcus Ericsson, formerly a hockey goaltender and now a racing driver, offered his forecast for the 2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey tournament: Sweden taking gold, Canada silver, and the United States bronze.
Kyffin Simpson highlighted the personal significance of his Sunoco blue-and-yellow firesuit colors, which resemble the Barbados flag, reflecting the 21-year-old’s heritage.
“They’re kind of similar to the Barbados flag, actually,”
Simpson remarked.
“I like that part of it.”
Santino Ferrucci confirmed that AJ Foyt Racing will maintain its technical alliance with Team Penske for the 2026 season, continuing a partnership that began in 2023.
“Everything is as it was for the last two years,”
Ferrucci assured.
“Very much looking forward to working with them, sharing information and all sorts of fun things.”
Implications of Malukas’ Relocation Challenges and Team Changes
David Malukas’ repeated moves highlight the precarious nature of professional racing careers, where injuries and team changes can quickly alter trajectories. His journey from Chicago to Indianapolis and now Charlotte reflects not only his determination but also the personal upheaval involved in maintaining a competitive presence in IndyCar. This constant transition places emotional pressure on familial relationships and personal stability, as seen in his evolving dynamic with his father Henry.
As Malukas settles into Team Penske, the pressure to perform is coupled with the anxiety of adapting to new environments. Meanwhile, teammates such as Kyle Kirkwood opt for continuity, emphasizing loyalty and steady growth, while veterans like Scott Dixon gain recognition beyond the track.
The network of drivers, including Alex Palou’s recognition of the unpredictable competitive field, underscores how closely intertwined personal circumstances and professional performance are in IndyCar racing. The narrative around Malukas’ relocation struggles adds a human dimension to the sport’s intense and often uncertain career landscape, foreshadowing ongoing challenges and opportunities ahead.
