David Malukas officially joined Team Penske following the 2025 IndyCar season, stepping in to replace Will Power. At the Phoenix Raceway during the IndyCar open test, Malukas praised the experience and synergy he has found with his new teammates, two-time Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden and former V8 Supercars star Scott McLaughlin, highlighting how their similar driving styles and data exchange have enhanced car setups.
Collaboration and Shared Driving Styles Strengthen Team Penske’s Performance
Throughout the 2025 season, David Malukas had been linked with a move to Team Penske, which materialized after the season concluded. This change pairs him with Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin, creating a trio of drivers whose approaches on the track closely align. Malukas discussed how this similarity in driving allows for efficient sharing of setup changes and data, benefiting all three drivers.
He explained,
“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”
Malukas emphasized that this collective understanding allows Team Penske to test various setups across all three cars using nearly identical data, something he called “the dream” for any racing team. Reflecting on recent testing sessions, he 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.”
David Malukas Shares Insights on Phoenix Raceway’s Unique Race Weekend Setup
The upcoming event at Phoenix Raceway will feature both IndyCar and NASCAR racing on the same weekend, presenting a distinctive challenge due to the crossover of series and the heavy tire rubber laid down by NASCAR cars. When asked about the potential effects on the handling of the IndyCar vehicles, Malukas acknowledged the unknown factors but expressed optimism.
He remarked,
“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.”
Malukas further commented on the influence of Goodyear tire rubber from NASCAR on the track’s surface conditions, saying,
“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,”
This crossover weekend at Phoenix Raceway is part of a strategic effort following FOX’s acquisition of a significant stake in Penske Entertainment, aiming to broaden the audience for both the IndyCar and NASCAR series by introducing fans to both types of motorsport on a shared weekend.
Team Penske’s New Dynamic Could Influence 2025 Season Outcomes
By combining Malukas’ talent with the seasoned experience of Newgarden and McLaughlin, Team Penske strengthens its competitive edge in the 2025 IndyCar season. The ability to share and trust data and setups accelerates car development and adaptability, factors that may prove pivotal in upcoming races.
Moreover, the unique challenge presented by the Phoenix Raceway crossover weekend adds an extra layer of strategy for the team, as they navigate the impact of NASCAR’s track usage on their own race conditions. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how this collaboration and track dynamic influence results as the season progresses.
