David Malukas captured attention by setting the fastest qualifying time ahead of the first oval race of the 2026 IndyCar season at Phoenix Raceway. The Team Penske driver posted a two-lap average speed of 175.383 mph, marking a significant milestone in his growing career. Alongside his rising public profile, many fans have become curious about his girlfriend, Kamila Jurkus, who impressively balances careers in modeling, engineering, and business development.
Kamila Jurkus’ Early Public Appearances and Pageant Experience
Kamila Jurkus initially gained public exposure through the pageant scene, participating in the 2022 Miss Illinois USA contest as a representative for Western Springs. Although she did not claim the title—Angel Reyes was crowned that year—she benefited from the experience, honing skills in public speaking and media engagement. The competition took place on May 30 at Braden Auditorium, Illinois State University, featuring 42 contestants statewide. This pageant serves as the state qualifier for Miss USA, which ultimately selects the contestant for the Miss Universe competition.
Academic Achievements and Engineering Career
Jurkus’ professional focus lies strongly within engineering and project management. She earned her civil engineering degree from the University of Alabama in 2023 and quickly moved into roles that married her technical education with practical project oversight. Beginning as a project management intern at ARCO/Murray in 2021, she contributed to construction planning, budget monitoring, and coordination amongst teams.
Her career progressed through her involvement with various firms, including RLE Project Management in Chicago, where she returned full-time in 2023 as an assistant project manager. Her responsibilities there cover organizing project timelines, overseeing budgets, and ensuring timely construction delivery. Earlier experiences at Project Management Partners, Inc. between 2018 and 2020 as an assistant project manager further strengthened her industry knowledge.
Role Within David Malukas’ Family Business Network
Currently, Kamila Jurkus holds a senior position at HMD Transport, a logistics company owned by Henry Malukas, David’s father. This transport firm operates an extensive trucking network with numerous vehicles and locations, complementing the Malukas family’s motorsports enterprise, HMD Motorsports. Founded by Henry and Daiva Malukas to support David’s racing aspirations, HMD Motorsports expanded from a modest team into a multi-car presence in the Indy NXT series, also partnering with teams like Global Racing Group and Dale Coyne Racing.
In her capacity as senior business development and customer success manager, Jurkus manages relationships with shipping partners and corporate clients. She coordinates freight logistics and shapes strategies for contract management, connecting the operational side of the family business with the broader world of racing in which David is actively involved.
The Intersection of Personal and Professional Lives
Kamila Jurkus’ work within HMD Transport positions her closely alongside the Malukas family’s varied professional commitments, linking her directly to the racing industry that revolves around David Malukas. This integration demonstrates how her dual expertise in engineering and business complements the family’s endeavors both on and off the track.
“She did not win the state crown – Angel Reyes took that year’s title – but the experience is part of how she learned public presentation and media skills that serve her well in the current role.” – Unattributed
“Kamila Jurkus joined the company as a senior business development and customer success manager. In that role, she works directly with shipping partners and corporate clients to manage freight solutions.” – Unattributed
The combined professional achievements of Kamila Jurkus alongside David Malukas’ advancing career suggest both are building strong foundations for future success. As Malukas continues to make strides in IndyCar, Jurkus’ evolving roles in engineering and business within the family network may also grow, underscoring the close ties between their personal and professional journeys.
