David Malukas officially joined Team Penske following the 2025 IndyCar season, stepping in to replace Will Power. At a press conference held during the IndyCar open test at Phoenix Raceway, Malukas shared how teaming up with experienced drivers Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin has been a valuable advantage for his performance and car setup.
How Joining Team Penske Connects Malukas with Experienced Teammates
Throughout the 2025 season, rumors linked David Malukas to Team Penske, with the transition confirmed after the season’s conclusion. Formerly racing with AJ Foyt Racing, Malukas now teams up with Josef Newgarden, a two-time Indy 500 winner, and Scott McLaughlin, who made his name in V8 Supercars. This trio brings together a mix of extensive experience and a closely aligned driving approach.
During the Phoenix Raceway IndyCar test, reporters asked Malukas about working alongside such seasoned drivers. He explained that both Newgarden and McLaughlin share similar driving styles, which makes the transfer of setup adjustments seamless across all three cars. As Malukas stated,
“I mean, look, it works very well. I think just between all of us, Scott and Josef, the amount of data that we’re looking at and comparing. Our driving is also very similar with each other. So no matter what changes that Josef might do or I might do, we’ll all be able to know that with each other that, oh, I can trust him. If he’s made that change, I know that if it’s good for him, it’s going to be good for me”
This similarity in approach allows Team Penske to experiment with various setups on each car, using nearly identical data sets to improve performance overall. Malukas added,
“That’s the dream with any team that you want to accomplish. So far after Sebring and (indiscernible), I think we’re actually in a very good window that, hey, all three drivers are in a similar window of driving style.”
Anticipating Challenges and Opportunities at Phoenix Raceway’s Dual Racing Weekend
IndyCar and NASCAR will both hold races at Phoenix Raceway on the same weekend, marking a crossover event designed to draw attention from fans of both series. Malukas was asked about how NASCAR’s activities, particularly the application of Goodyear tire rubber on the track, might affect the handling of the IndyCar vehicles.
He responded with a mix of humor and optimism, acknowledging the unknown elements but expressing excitement about the event’s unique nature:
“For sure, it will definitely be unknown, needing to all of a sudden deal with sandstorms (laughing). Yeah, it’s very interesting. Like I said, from actually just driving the track, have a great time racing, it is going to be a completely different thing. The way I’m loving it right now, I really hope it races well.”
Regarding the impact of the Goodyear rubber, Malukas continued,
“We’ll have to see with, like you said, the Goodyear rubber, what it’s going to do, but my hopes are high. I really hope that it does well for us,” added David Malukas
This crossover effort follows FOX’s acquisition of a one-third stake in Penske Entertainment, aiming to bring new audiences to both IndyCar and NASCAR racing through shared events like the Phoenix weekend.
Implications of Malukas’s Move and the Upcoming Season
David Malukas’s integration into Team Penske alongside two highly accomplished drivers signals a promising direction for the team’s future. The alignment in driving style and data sharing enhances the ability to refine car setups collaboratively, likely improving performance consistency and competitive edge during the 2026 season.
The Phoenix Raceway weekend serves as a pivotal test not only for driver skill but also for adaptability as IndyCar competes on a track influenced by NASCAR activity. How the crossover will impact racing dynamics remains to be seen, but Malukas’s hopeful outlook reflects confidence in both his team and the event itself.
As the 2026 IndyCar schedule unfolds, attention will be on how Malukas and his teammates leverage their shared experience and teamwork to advance Team Penske’s standing in the series. Fans can expect developments in qualifying, race results, and team strategy to emerge alongside these evolving challenges.
