David Malukas feels he is in prime position to claim his first Indianapolis 500 victory, and first IndyCar win overall, now that he has Team Penske’s resources to draw from.
The 24-year-old is preparing for his fourth Indy 500 start, and has been learning from every source he has access to.
After being part of multiple different teams over the past few years, he has been absorbing information from all areas of Team Penske in order to master the famous 2.5-mile oval.
“Out of the past four years I’ve been here, I think this is the best opportunity for it, being a part of this team,” said Malukas during this week’s practice. “So many resources for me. I can show 110% of myself.
“It’s all different forms of advice. For me coming back from 2024 off of the wrist injury, I went through so many different teams, was able to collect so much information.
“I’m 24 years old, but in the grand scheme of things I’m young. I’m ripe for absorption of information.
“Right now here at Team Penske it’s been the best. There’s information from Scott [McLaughlin] and Josef [Newgarden].
“I can also look at the history from previous years and really collect a lot of that information. Overall whatever team I’ve joined, it’s all helped to become who I am today.”
Asked if Rick Mears, a four-time winner of the Indy 500 and continued supporting member at Team Penske has had any advice, Malukas related that he still needs to learn from the 74-year-old driver.
“Other than some good stories of the past so far. I have more time to talk and get some more information.”
Malukas finished 2nd in the 2025 Indianapolis 500 while racing with AJ Foyt Racing. If he improves upon that this year, he would succeed in making his mark in history.
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