David Malukas has recently confronted speculation surrounding his connection to a Team Penske sponsor while Will Power’s contract situation in IndyCar remains unclear. Malukas, who races for AJ Foyt Racing, dismissed persistent rumors suggesting he might take over Power’s seat at Penske starting in 2026.
Power is currently in the last year of his deal with the Roger Penske-owned outfit. In July, the 44-year-old revealed that Penske had temporarily paused their contract talks, planning to revisit negotiations in August. Yet, during preparations for the Grand Prix of Portland, Power indicated no progress had been made on finalizing his future with the team.
Meanwhile, increased speculation linked Malukas to Team Penske because AJ Foyt Racing secured Gallagher, a key Penske sponsor, as the lead sponsor on Malukas’s No. 4 Chevy for the Portland race weekend. When questioned about this awkward sponsor overlap, Malukas responded directly.
“Is it not weird, but with all the rumors and chatter, to have Penske Gallagher colors on your car? Does that make things awkward at all for you?”
“No. I mean, it’s same old, same old. When it comes to the sponsorship, there’s an alliance between Foyt and Penske. Obviously, that transcends through sponsorship, as well.”
The technical partnership between AJ Foyt Racing and Team Penske has been in place since mid-2023. However, the sponsorship relationship mentioned applies only to Malukas’s vehicle. His teammate, Santino Ferrucci, remains unconnected to Penske sponsorship ties.
Reporter Marshall Pruett revealed that Malukas is already under contract with Team Penske, with owner Roger Penske assigning him to the No. 4 Chevy operated by AJ Foyt Racing. When pressed about his IndyCar future and his possible replacement of Power, Malukas made his position clear.
“No, from my side it’s same old, same old. As of right now, I signed a multi-year deal with Foyt. That’s kind of where the trajectory goes right now,” Malukas said.
Will Power Allows Contract Talks With IndyCar Rivals After 2025 Season
Prior to the Grand Prix of Portland, Will Power spoke openly about the uncertainty surrounding his contract situation. After nearly two decades with Team Penske in IndyCar, Power expressed frustration at the lack of updates on his extension.
“Yeah, I don’t think I’ll know until after the end of, or during the weekend in Nashville,” Power told reporter Bob Pockrass. “I just want to know, to be honest. I would like to know what I’m doing. That would be nice. Sort of the stress will be off me, you know, where am I driving? Am I driving at all?”
In an interview with Fronstretch, the 2018 Indianapolis 500 winner shared that the Penske leadership was busy with other matters and that following the season finale in Nashville on August 31, he would be free to negotiate with other IndyCar teams.
The team appears to have little motivation to cut ties with Power besides concerns related to his age. Despite a challenging season for Team Penske, Power has been their standout performer. Meanwhile, teammates Scott McLaughlin and Josef Newgarden have struggled amid a series of misfortunes impacting the team’s overall competitiveness.
Implications for Team Penske and IndyCar’s Driver Landscape
Will Power’s stalled contract talks inject uncertainty not only into his racing future but also into the broader IndyCar driver market. Malukas’s denial of a direct move to Penske suggests his focus remains with AJ Foyt Racing despite sponsorship overlaps. This situation highlights the complex alliances and sponsorship arrangements influencing team dynamics in the sport.
For Team Penske, retaining Power could provide crucial stability as other drivers face performance challenges. However, with Power free to entertain offers from rivals after the 2025 season, Penske’s driver lineup may undergo significant changes by next year’s racing calendar. Fans and analysts will closely watch the developments after the Nashville finale, as decisions there might reshape the competitive field for upcoming IndyCar seasons.
