David Malukas achieved his first career pole position on Friday at Phoenix Raceway during qualifying for the Good Ranchers 250, showcasing a remarkable comeback driven by courage and perseverance. Navigating the Avondale, Arizona, mile oval in the No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet, Malukas posted the fastest two-lap qualifying average of 175.383 mph, securing the front spot for Saturday’s race and marking a significant milestone in his NTT IndyCar Series career after joining Team Penske.
From Setbacks to Support: Malukas’ Journey Back to the Front
Malukas’ journey to this moment was far from smooth, as he battled physical injury and professional setbacks just last year. The young driver was once sidelined by a torn wrist that not only caused pain but also cost him a critical opportunity with Arrow McLaren. At a low point, Malukas was uncertain if he would ever race again.
“At that point, it was nothing but dread and ‘It’s the end of the world.’ That was rock bottom for me, I’d say, because at that point I didn’t even know if I’d be able to get back into a car,”
Malukas reflected.
During this challenging period, a pivotal phone call came from one of the sport’s most respected figures, Roger Penske. Penske, owner of Team Penske and a key figure in the IndyCar Series, reached out to encourage Malukas, offering words of hope and support even before any team negotiations were underway.
“But one of the first people, and at this point, and we weren’t even talking about getting into a team. This was just because The Captain, Roger Penske, owned the series. He cared for his drivers and he actually gave me a phone call,”
Malukas shared.
“And it was so special to me, because at that time I’d gotten fired from McLaren and seemed that was kind of going to be the end. I didn’t even know if racing was going to be a thing. And he called me and he said, ‘Look, these things happen. You just keep fighting back. Keep getting back into it. You’re a good driver, and we’d love to have you back into the series at some point.’”
That call was deeply meaningful for Malukas at such a difficult moment.
“Just so special to me. I mean, nobody else at that time was calling me. And literally, I was almost in tears,”
he recalled.
Dominating the Track: Team Penske’s Strong Showing in Phoenix
On Friday, Malukas demonstrated the talent and resilience Penske believed in by setting the fastest qualifying time. His performance also delivered a 1-2 for Team Penske, as Josef Newgarden followed closely in the No. 2 XPEL Chevrolet, marking his best starting position at Phoenix in four attempts. Scott McLaughlin, last week’s polesitter at St. Petersburg, qualified fifth in the No. 3 Gallagher Insurance Chevrolet, reinforcing the strength of Team Penske at this venue.
“Qualifying was the first time we’d seen the track with any relative temperature. So I think that’s why you saw some people moving up and down relative to where you would’ve expected them to qualify. You saw drop off more so in lap two than we’ve seen for the last session or during the test,”
Newgarden explained.
“I think we got it relatively right. I just did not have a smooth Practice 1. I felt like we did a good job. We just didn’t get it perfect. All of us being in the top five is a great starting spot for this race and something we can work with.”
Rising Stars and Veteran Drivers Show Strong Qualifying Performances
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing also impressed in qualifying, with veteran Graham Rahal earning the third-fastest time in the No. 15 Fifth Third Bank Honda, marking his best top-five qualifier since 2009. Rookie Mick Schumacher captured fourth starting spot in the No. 47 entry for his first career oval race, establishing himself as a smooth and capable driver.
Rahal praised Schumacher’s skill behind the wheel, saying he was
“silky-smooth on his feet, which is way smoother than me or Louie [teammate Foster],”
and called the team’s overall progress a big step.
Schumacher, looking ahead to race day, said,
“We knew what we had to do, and we managed to put a good couple of laps together. I’m excited to run the race. It’s going to be a whole different situation in the race with traffic and everything, so it’s going to be tough.”
Other Notable Qualifying Results and Context
Alexander Rossi, who led the Open Test at Phoenix and was fastest during the Unser Preseason Test Session, starts sixth in the No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Java House Chevrolet. Meanwhile, Robert Shwartzman remains the last rookie to qualify better than third in the series, having secured the pole at last May’s Indianapolis 500, while Foster earned the pole at Road America in June.
Malukas Reflects on Perseverance and Growth
Reflecting on the pivotal moments of his career, Malukas credited his ability to overcome adversity to a mindset forged by past challenges. After receiving support following his release from McLaren, he found a “miracle ride” with Meyer Shank Racing to finish the 2024 season, later securing a deal with A.J. Foyt Racing before joining Team Penske.
“It was one of my main factors to keep that driving factor going and pick myself back up and say, ‘You know what? This isn’t going to be the end of me. I’m going to find a way. I’m going to find an answer,’”
Malukas said.
“Leading up to that point, every problem I’ve had, although not as severe, I found a solution for it. So I feel like I can find one for this one.”
He emphasized the importance of resilience despite mental struggles during low points:
“Sounds so simple and such an easy thing to do, but it’s so hard. When you’re rock-bottom and all your brain is thinking about is ‘This is the end and you’re never going to go back,’ your brain could so easily catastrophize. But to fight back and to just be like, no, this isn’t the end, ever since ‘24, no matter what problem comes—inside the car, outside the car, whatever life situation—I’m always telling myself, ‘There’s a problem, there’s a solution.’ Every problem I’ve had, I’ve had a solution, even going back to school for an essay that I was late [with] by two weeks because I was too lazy to do it. I finished it. I’m 24 now. I passed it. I finished school and got straight A’s. So whatever hits me in the future, it’s going to be no different.”
His triumph on the track serves as a vivid example of turning setbacks into motivation.
“Oh, man, I’m just finally so happy. So many P2s. The story of old last season was we wait till the last few guys and then boom, we get P2. But finally we got it. It feels so good,”
Malukas said after qualifying.
“I am just so happy to the moon.”
Implications for Malukas and IndyCar Moving Forward
David Malukas’ first pole position represents not only a personal and professional breakthrough but also a symbolic victory for resilience in motorsport. Having navigated injuries, team transitions, and moments of doubt, Malukas now stands as a prominent contender for success with Team Penske, a leading organization in IndyCar racing.
This achievement could mark the beginning of a new chapter for Malukas in the highly competitive NTT IndyCar Series, offering momentum heading into the 2024 season. The performance at Phoenix, alongside strong showings from drivers like Newgarden, Rahal, and Schumacher, indicates a deep field of talent ready for an intense race weekend. As Malukas and the rest of the field prepare for the Good Ranchers 250, fans can anticipate a race shaped by grit, strategy, and high-speed action on the oval.
