Exactly one year after suffering a severe wrist injury that sidelined him and left him without a ride for the Indianapolis 500, David Malukas made a striking comeback at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Driving the No. 4 Clarience Technologies Chevrolet for A.J. Foyt Enterprises, Malukas secured a third-place finish in the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.
This impressive result marked a dramatic turnaround for Malukas, who had been watching the race as a fan only a year prior. His David Malukas Indy 500 third-place finish redemption shows an extraordinary journey from injury to contender in a very short period.
The Road Back from Injury and Uncertainty
Malukas’ 2024 season began with promise following a contract signing with Arrow McLaren, but everything changed due to a mountain biking accident in February that caused a serious wrist injury. This injury kept him off the track far longer than anticipated and eventually led to his release from Arrow McLaren. Rather than racing, Malukas spent last May contributing to INDYCAR’s content team while recovering, uncertain about whether he would ever compete again.
Once cleared medically, Malukas gained a part-time seat with Meyer Shank Racing for the final 10 races of the 2024 season. Strong performances during that stint reignited his career, culminating in a full-time drive with A.J. Foyt Racing for the 2025 season. Prior to Sunday’s Indy 500, his best result in 2025 was a 13th-place finish at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, and his best previous Indy 500 finish was 16th as a rookie in 2022 with Dale Coyne Racing.
Despite these modest milestones, Malukas fought fiercely on Sunday, holding his position among the leaders and claiming third place, marking the highest finish of his young career.
Malukas Reflects on His Near-Victory Experience
Malukas candidly admitted the result carried a bittersweet feeling, given how close he came to winning the race. He acknowledged that his inexperience in a late-race battle for victory may have cost him the top spot, explaining that his team had to guess on the car’s setup during the crucial final laps.
Last year, there was a chance I would never be back in the INDYCAR paddock again,
Malukas said.
I was a fan watching in Turn 1, and now one year later, I’m back here fighting for the win.
—David Malukas
Bittersweet because you’re just so close to greatness,
he added.
Every driver wants to be there.
—David Malukas
We did everything right,
Malukas noted.
The guys did an incredible job. It’s just bad timing at the end there. They (Palou and Ericsson) got us, and we tried to get that setup to where it needed to be on that final run, but never have been in that situation before, so we kind of made a guess.
—David Malukas
Ultimately, it was Alex Palou and 2022 winner Marcus Ericsson who prevailed in the race’s closing stages, edging out Malukas’ promising challenge.
Josef Newgarden’s Mechanical Setback Ends Three-Peat Attempt
Josef Newgarden’s pursuit of a historic third consecutive Indy 500 victory came to an abrupt and frustrating halt due to a mechanical failure on Lap 135. Having started deep in the field at 32nd, Newgarden executed an impressive climb into the top ten by the race’s midpoint, advancing to sixth by Lap 128 and showing signs of a potential charge to victory.
However, shortly after a routine pit stop on Lap 133, his No. 2 Shell V-Power NiTRO+ Chevrolet experienced a critical failure. Newgarden brought the car back to the pits and was forced to retire, ending his chance to make history as the first to win three straight Indianapolis 500 races.
It’s tough to not have a shot at the end,
Newgarden expressed.
It felt really good. Tried to be methodical today. It’s a team sport. As tough as it is to take, still grateful to be out here today.
—Josef Newgarden
Kyle Larson’s Crash Halts the Indy/Charlotte Double Attempt
Kyle Larson’s effort to complete the challenging Indy/Charlotte Double in 2025 ended prematurely when a crash on Lap 92 in Turn 2 caused his day to unravel. Larson aimed to replicate Tony Stewart’s 2001 feat of running both the Indianapolis 500 and the NASCAR Cup Series race in Charlotte in the same day, but his hopes were dashed.
On the restart, Larson experienced understeer behind Takuma Sato, then lost control with oversteer in Turn 2, resulting in a multicar accident involving Kyffin Simpson and Sting Ray Robb. All three drivers made heavy contact with the SAFER Barrier, with Robb’s car spinning across the track and striking the tire barrier.
It was a bit crazy there on the start,
Larson lamented.
I got a bit tight behind Takuma, and then I got loose and kind of all over the place. I just hate that I got a little too eager there on the restart and caused that crash. Hate it for everybody that got caught up in it. Just bummed out.
—Kyle Larson
Santino Ferrucci Maintains Perfect Top-10 Indy 500 Record
Santino Ferrucci continued his consistent streak at the Indianapolis 500, extending his record to seven starts with seven top-10 finishes after coming home seventh on Sunday. Driving the No. 14 Homes For Our Troops Chevrolet for A.J. Foyt Racing, Ferrucci moved up from 15th on the grid to secure another strong result, showcasing confidence and steady performance at the Brickyard.
Bittersweet because I knew we could have been in the top five,
Ferrucci admitted.
The goal is to win this race. I woke up this morning and wanted to win, told the guys let’s win it. So, I’m a bit disappointed in myself that I couldn’t get it done for us. Just faced a little bit more adversity than I anticipated.
—Santino Ferrucci
Early Race Setbacks Highlight Challenges at the Speedway
The 2025 Indianapolis 500 began under strained circumstances, with a 43-minute weather delay preceding an unusual incident on the final pace lap. Scott McLaughlin, warming his tires in the No. 3 Pennzoil Team Penske Chevrolet, lost control and crashed into the inside pit wall at Turn 1, eliminating his participation before the race officially started. This early accident resulted in the lowest finishing position, 33rd, for the previous year’s pole sitter.
I don’t know what happened; I really had no idea,
McLaughlin said.
I didn’t even get to see the green flag.
—Scott McLaughlin
McLaughlin’s misfortune added to a difficult month for the New Zealand driver, who earlier suffered a crash during practice that forced him into a backup car and limited his starting position to 10th.
Shortly after the race began, contact between Marco Andretti and Rinus VeeKay on Lap 4 led to Andretti’s early exit after being forced into the outside SAFER Barrier. Andretti finished 32nd for Andretti Herta w/Marco & Curb-Agajanian.
I guess I could have been patient, but once I was committed up there, I was already at the wall,
Andretti remarked.
Whoever was next to me was crowding me, and I ran out of room.
—Marco Andretti
Pit Road Troubles Wreak Havoc on Several Competitors
Pit lane proved to be especially unforgiving during the 500-mile race. Numerous drivers endured setbacks due to mechanical failures, penalties, and missteps that drastically altered their race outcomes.
Kyle Larson’s first pit stop on Lap 24 saw him leave his stall in the wrong gear, dropping him from 17th to 31st, a mistake that hampered his recovery despite his skill.
Rookie Louis Foster was penalized for speeding on pit lane after his second stop, which cost him valuable track positions, although he still finished as the top rookie in 15th place.
Colton Herta faced both brake problems and a speeding penalty, stripping him of any chance at a strong finish. He ended up 17th driving the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda.
2016 winner Alexander Rossi was forced out on Lap 73 after a fire broke out following a pit stop to address suspected gearbox issues. This marked the worst Indy 500 finish of Rossi’s career, placing 31st.
Another opportunity gone, Rossi reflected quietly.
Shortly after, Rinus VeeKay suffered a brake failure leading to multiple impacts with the wall, finishing 30th.
I had no response from the brakes … I was just a passenger,
VeeKay said. —Rinus VeeKay
During a caution period on Lap 87, pole winner Robert Shwartzman locked up his front tires and slid into his pit crew then the pit wall, fortunately without serious injuries but compelling his team to retire the car and finish 29th.
I was just a passenger, Shwartzman said. Really scary.
Meanwhile, Takuma Sato, who led most of the early race, missed his pit box during the same pit cycle, costing him valuable track position. He ultimately finished 11th for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.
Later in the race, Ryan Hunter-Reay, who led 48 laps, stalled during a pit stop while leading on Lap 169, undermining his chance for victory and finishing 24th overall. This marked the 13th time in 15 years the driver leading the most laps failed to win the Indianapolis 500.
Ryan Hunter-Reay’s Backup Car Feat Embodies Resilience
Ryan Hunter-Reay’s 2025 Indy 500 was characterized by both determination and adversity. During the two-hour Miller Lite Carb Day practice on Friday, his primary No. 23 DRR CUSICK WEDBUSH SECURITIES Chevrolet suffered mechanical failure and a fire, forcing the team to abandon use of their main car.
The crew faced a daunting task to prepare a backup car, which had previously only been used for pit stop practice and never driven on track. They worked relentlessly, some pulling all-nighters, to ready the car for Saturday’s 8:30 a.m. install-lap session, ensuring systems were in working order before race day.
Celebrating Racing History with a Parade of Iconic Cars
Prior to Sunday’s race, a historic moment unfolded as 13 legendary cars took a pre-race lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, celebrating decades of heritage and success at the Brickyard. Danny Sullivan, winner of the 69th Indianapolis 500 forty years ago with his famous “spin and win,” was among those participating.
The historic machines included the 2010 Target Chip Ganassi driven by Dario Franchitti, the 2000 Target G Force driven by Jeff Ward, the 1990 Domino Pizza Lola with Arie Luyendyk behind the wheel, and the 1980 Pennzoil Special Chaparral driven by Zach Veach. Other notable cars were the 1963 Willard Battery Agajanian Special piloted by Mario Andretti, the 1960 Ken Paul Special Watson driven by Willy T. Ribbs, and several others representing racing greats such as Sebastian Saavedra, Michel Jourdain Jr., Al Unser Jr., Donnie Beechler, J. Douglas Boles, and Lyn St. James.
Additional Noteworthy Facts from the 2025 Indy 500
- Alex Palou made history by sweeping the Month of May, winning both the Sonsio Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500, joining Will Power (2018) and Simon Pagenaud (2019) in this rare achievement.
- At just under 32 years old, Palou is the second youngest winner of the Indy 500 in the last 17 years, following Alexander Rossi, who won at age 24 in 2016.
- Team Penske and Chip Ganassi Racing have dominated recent Indianapolis 500s, capturing the last four races. Chip Ganassi Racing drivers Marcus Ericsson (2022) and Alex Palou (2025) claimed two of those victories, while Josef Newgarden won in 2023 and 2024 for Team Penske.
- Palou’s career tally of 16 wins ties him with Dan Wheldon for 31st on the all-time wins list, with Ralph Mulford, Danny Sullivan, and Tony Kanaan next in line at 17.
