Team Penske revealed on September 18 that David Malukas has signed a multiyear contract to pilot the No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet beginning with the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. This new partnership marks a significant step in Malukas’s career as he joins one of the sport’s most prestigious teams.
Following Will Power’s Departure, Malukas Inherits the Iconic No. 12 Car
At just 23 years old, Malukas becomes the second driver to take over the No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet, a car closely associated with Will Power, the two-time series champion (2014, 2022) and winner of the 2018 Indianapolis 500. Power recently left Team Penske and will compete with Andretti Global starting in 2026, leaving behind a notable legacy in the car Malukas will now drive.
Racing for Team Penske is the goal for every young race car driver, and I am honored to be one that gets to live out that dream,
Malukas said.
Will Power is one of the legends of our sport, and the No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet is one of the most recognized cars on the grid. These are big shoes to fill, but I look at it as an opportunity because I know that it is one of the best teams in the paddock.
Early Life and Racing Progression of David Malukas
Hailing from Chicago and of Lithuanian American heritage, Malukas was inspired to pursue racing by watching his father, Henry, compete at the famed Road America circuit. Starting his karting career in 2013, he earned numerous wins and championships before advancing to the INDYCAR development ladder.
Malukas earned the INDY NXT by Firestone Rookie of the Year title in 2019. His breakthrough came in 2021 with seven victories, six pole positions, and a record-setting 16 podium finishes in just 20 starts, culminating in a runner-up finish in the series standings.
Career Milestones in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES
Making his top-level INDYCAR debut in 2022 at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Malukas has since accumulated five top-five results and 16 top-10 finishes over 61 races through the 2025 season finale. Notably, he has made a strong impression at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, winning Rookie of the Year at the 2021 Indianapolis 500, setting the fastest lap in 2022, and finishing second in 2025.
Team Penske’s Vision and Malukas’s Upcoming Debut
Roger Penske, owner of Team Penske, expressed optimism about Malukas joining the team.
We are excited to add David Malukas as the next driver of the No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet,
he said.
We feel that Team Penske will provide David everything needed to take the next step in his career, and we are confident that he will continue the great legacy of the Verizon Chevrolet.
Malukas is scheduled to make his debut for Team Penske in the No. 12 car at the 2026 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Sunday, March 1, with live coverage on FOX and the INDYCAR Radio Network.
Welcome to the team, @malukasdavid. pic.twitter.com/eepPJpmSui
— Team Penske (@Team_Penske) September 18, 2025
