David Malukas Makes Immediate Impact in Team Penske Debut
David Malukas wasted no time making his presence felt with Team Penske. The 24-year-ancient topped the charts on the first day of the Unser INDYCAR Open Test at Phoenix Raceway, marking a strong start to his 2026 season and his tenure with the iconic team.
A Smooth Transition to Penske
Malukas, who joined Team Penske after four seasons with Dale Coyne Racing, Meyer Shank Racing, and AJ Foyt Racing, posted a fast lap of 172.605 mph in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet. He emphasized the productive nature of the test session, stating, “It feels good to be P1, but at the finish of the day, we just ran through our test items. Everything went very well. We’ve learned so many different things. Everything felt very clear. We got a lot of answers.”
Team Penske Dominates Opening Day
The test session saw a dominant performance from Team Penske, with Josef Newgarden securing the second-fastest time at 172.201 mph in the No. 2 XPEL Team Penske Chevrolet. This 1-2 finish signals a potential rebound for the team after a challenging 2025 season.
Power Adapts to Recent Surroundings
Will Power, who was replaced by Malukas at Team Penske, also made a strong showing in his debut with Andretti Global, finishing third with a lap of 171.706 mph in the No. 26 TWG AI Honda. His teammate, Kyle Kirkwood, followed closely in fourth.
Rookie Performances and a Minor Incident
The test also provided valuable track time for several rookies. Dennis Hauger, the 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone champion, was the fastest among the newcomers, finishing 17th overall. Formula One veteran Mick Schumacher, son of Michael Schumacher, continued to acclimate to oval racing, completing 109 laps – the third-highest total of the day. Caio Collet experienced a minor incident in Turn 4 but was unhurt.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season is set to begin with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 1, followed by the Good Ranchers 250 at Phoenix Raceway on March 7 – marking INDYCAR’s return to the Arizona track after a five-year absence.
Did you realize?
David Malukas is a first-generation Lithuanian-American, and his family owns HMD Motorsports, a championship-winning team in INDY NXT by Firestone.
Pro Tip
Testing is crucial for teams to gather data and refine their setups before the start of the season. The Unser INDYCAR Open Test at Phoenix Raceway provides a valuable opportunity for teams to assess their performance and identify areas for improvement.
FAQ
Q: Where will the first race of the 2026 INDYCAR SERIES season be held?
A: The first race will be the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 1.
Q: When is the Good Ranchers 250 at Phoenix Raceway?
A: The Good Ranchers 250 will be held on Saturday, March 7.
Q: What number Chevrolet will David Malukas be driving for Team Penske?
A: He will be driving the No. 12 Chevrolet.
Q: What was David Malukas’ fastest lap time during the test?
A: His fastest lap time was 172.605 mph.
Desire to learn more about the INDYCAR SERIES and Team Penske? Visit INDYCAR.com and TeamPenske.com for the latest news, schedules, and results.
