David Malukas earned his first NTT IndyCar Series pole position ahead of the Good Ranchers 250, scheduled for Saturday, March 7, at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona. The Chicago-born driver accomplished this milestone during Friday’s single-car, two-lap qualifying session, where all 25 entrants vied for the fastest two-lap average time to determine starting positions.
Qualifying Session Details and Malukas’ Performance
In the qualifying format, each driver ran two timed laps individually, with the best average speed deciding the pole winner. Malukas posted a first lap at 175.671 mph, completing it in 20.4928 seconds, followed by a second lap at 175.096 mph in 20.5602 seconds. His combined two-lap average of 175.383 mph in 41.053 seconds earned him the NTT P1 Award, marking his first pole position in his 63rd IndyCar start. This achievement will see Malukas lead the field as the green flag drops for the Phoenix main event.
Historical Significance of Malukas’ Pole Position
Malukas’ pole is notable for being the first time a new driver has claimed pole in the NTT IndyCar Series since Louis Foster at Road America in June 2025. Additionally, Malukas is the first rookie pole sitter for Team Penske since Scott McLaughlin achieved this at the 2022 Streets of St. Petersburg race. Before this, Malukas’ career-best starting position had been second place, which he had reached five times, including twice in the 2025 season.
Context of Malukas’ Career and Move to Team Penske
This pole comes during only Malukas’ second start in the No. 12 Verizon Dallara-Chevrolet for Team Penske, having just been announced as Will Power’s replacement for the 2026 season. After a 13th-place finish in the season opener at St. Petersburg, Malukas now looks to capitalize on his pole to pursue his maiden IndyCar victory. With three podium finishes previously, this milestone could signal a breakthrough in his budding career.
Oh man, I’m just so…finally, I’m so happy!
Malukas exclaimed on FS2.
With so many P2s, it’s a story of ovals last season was we have [the pole]. We wait till last few guys and then boom, we get P2. Finally, we got it! It feels so good. What a way to start this season, even at St. Pete. Big thank you to Team Penske and everybody here. Thank you to the Captain [Roger Penske], Verizon, and Chevrolet. I am just so happy through the moon. What a way to start our Phoenix race here for tomorrow.
Team Penske’s Strong Showing in Qualifying
Malukas will share the front row with his Team Penske teammate Josef Newgarden, who secured the second-best qualifying average of 174.548 mph with a combined time of 41.2493 seconds. Newgarden, who last won the IndyCar race at Phoenix in 2018, will start alongside Malukas. Another Penske driver, Scott McLaughlin, will begin the race in fifth position, posting a two-lap average speed of 173.448 mph, completed in 41.5109 seconds.
Competitive Qualifying Performances from Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing teammates Graham Rahal and rookie Mick Schumacher impressed to secure the third and fourth starting slots, respectively. Rahal’s two-lap average was 173.993 mph, timed at 41.3810 seconds, while Schumacher, running his first oval qualifying in IndyCar, averaged 173.667 mph with a total time of 41.4587 seconds, just behind Rahal.
Top Ten Starting Grid and Notable Qualifying Issues
The remainder of the top ten includes Alexander Rossi, Pato O’Ward, Rinus VeeKay, Nolan Siegel, and reigning St. Petersburg winner Alex Palou, rounding out a competitive front grid. However, the session did not go smoothly for all entrants. Felix Rosenqvist failed to register a qualifying time after crashing his No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing Dallara-Honda in Friday’s opening practice, relegating him to start 25th. Similarly, Will Power could only complete one lap before hitting the wall at Turn 2 and will start 24th.
Complete Qualifying Results and Speeds for the Good Ranchers 250
1. David Malukas, 175.383 mph, 41.0530 seconds
2. Josef Newgarden, 174.548 mph, 41.2493 seconds
3. Graham Rahal, 173.993 mph, 41.3810 seconds
4. Mick Schumacher, 173.667 mph, 41.4587 seconds
5. Scott McLaughlin, 173.448 mph, 41.5109 seconds
6. Alexander Rossi, 173.389 mph, 41.5252 seconds
7. Pato O’Ward, 173.344 mph, 41.5359 seconds
8. Rinus VeeKay, 173.248 mph, 41.5589 seconds
9. Nolan Siegel, 172.995 mph, 41.6196 seconds
10. Alex Palou, 172.980 mph, 41.6234 seconds
11. Kyle Kirkwood, 172.878 mph, 41.6479 seconds
12. Sting Ray Robb, 172.536 mph, 41.7305 seconds
13. Marcus Armstrong, 172.434 mph, 41.7551 seconds
14. Marcus Ericsson, 172.364 mph, 41.7721 seconds
15. Scott Dixon, 172.074 mph, 41.8425 seconds
16. Louis Foster, 171.827 mph, 41.9025 seconds
17. Christian Lundgaard, 171.566 mph, 41.9664 seconds
18. Christian Rasmussen, 171.540 mph, 41.9728 seconds
19. Kyffin Simson, 171.439 mph, 41.9974 seconds
20. Romain Grosjean, 170.814 mph, 42.1512 seconds
21. Santino Ferrucci, 170.577 mph, 42.2096 seconds
22. Dennis Hauger, 169.818 mph, 42.3983 seconds
23. Caio Collet, 167.647 mph, 42.9474 seconds
24. Will Power, 174.137 mph, 20.6734 seconds (*Did not complete second qualifying lap)
25. Felix Rosenqvist, Did Not Qualify
Upcoming Race and Broadcast Information
The Good Ranchers 250 at Phoenix Raceway will commence on Saturday, March 7, with live coverage beginning at 3 p.m. ET on FOX. David Malukas’ first pole adds anticipation to the race, as he and Team Penske look to translate qualifying speed into race day success at this storied Arizona venue.
