David Malukas has quickly made his mark as Team Penske’s newest addition to the NTT IndyCar Series lineup. In a standout qualifying session at Phoenix Raceway on Friday, the 24-year-old Chicago native secured his first career pole position for the Good Ranchers 250, edging out his highly accomplished teammate Josef Newgarden to lock down the front row for Team Penske.
Malukas, driving the No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet, delivered a blistering two-lap average of 175.383 mph around the one-mile tri-oval. His opening lap clocked 175.671 mph, followed by a strong 175.096 mph backup run that proved untouchable. Newgarden, the series’ renowned short-oval specialist and a previous winner at Phoenix in 2018, qualified second with a 174.548 mph average in the No. 2 XPEL Chevrolet. The front-row sweep marked a dominant showing for the team, which has long excelled on short ovals and entered the weekend celebrating its 60th anniversary with owner Roger Penske in attendance.
This achievement came in Malukas’ first full season with Team Penske after joining the storied organization in the offseason. He replaced Will Power in the No. 12 car, a seat made famous by the two-time series champion and 2018 Indianapolis 500 winner. Malukas had built momentum in recent years, particularly on ovals, where he earned two of his three career podiums at Gateway. His move to Penske represented a major step up, providing access to top-tier equipment and resources to contend consistently across the series’ diverse tracks.
Qualifying at Phoenix highlighted Malukas’ immediate adaptation to the team’s setup. He led the morning practice session with a lap of 175.605 mph, setting the tone for what would become a confident and precise effort in the afternoon. The session itself was a single-car, two-lap format, demanding perfect execution under pressure. Malukas broke the 175 mph barrier first, showcasing the speed and composure that have defined his rise in the series.
Post-qualifying, Malukas expressed immense satisfaction with the result. He described feeling “just so happy to the moon” after claiming the NTT P1 Award, his first in 45 career starts. He emphasized the confidence gained from practice and the challenging nature of the track, which required precise handling of the car’s balance. “What a way to start our Phoenix race day tomorrow,” he said, looking ahead to the 250-lap event on Saturday afternoon.
The pole also carried personal significance for Malukas. He became the 65th driver in Team Penske history to earn a pole position, a milestone he celebrated in the paddock alongside his team and family. The moment underscored his rapid integration into one of motorsport’s most successful organizations. Penske has a legacy of excellence on short ovals, and Malukas’ performance reinforced that reputation while signaling his potential to emerge as a key contributor.
Beyond the numbers, Malukas has been vocal about his ambitions in the high-pressure environment of Team Penske. He acknowledged the unique expectations that come with driving for the team, describing it as “a special pressure” compared to previous experiences. Yet he has embraced it, aiming to build his own legacy rather than simply fill a seat. His strong showing at Phoenix, especially outperforming Newgarden—a driver with multiple oval wins and deep experience—demonstrated that he is ready to compete at the highest level.
The Good Ranchers 250 presented Malukas with his best opportunity yet to translate qualifying speed into a breakthrough victory. Starting from pole on a track where he has previously shown oval prowess, he was eager to lead the field to the green and maintain control through the race’s various strategies and restarts. A win would mark his first career victory in the series and cement his status as a rising star.
Malukas has playfully referenced becoming “Big Dave,” a nod to his desire to step out of any perceived underdog role and claim a dominant presence in the series. The nickname reflects his growing confidence and the respect he is earning from peers and fans alike. With the pole secured, the focus shifted to race execution: managing tires, navigating traffic, and capitalizing on the car’s speed demonstrated in qualifying.
Team Penske’s front-row lockout set up an intriguing intra-team battle. Newgarden, known for his late-race prowess and strategic acumen, posed a formidable challenge from the outside pole. Yet Malukas’ qualifying edge suggested he had found something extra in the setup, potentially giving him an advantage in clean air at the start.
As the series continues its 2026 campaign, Malukas’ performance at Phoenix serves as a statement. In his fifth year in IndyCar and first with Penske, he has already delivered a career-defining moment. The pole not only positions him for a potential podium or win but also highlights his readiness to contend regularly. Whether he converts the starting spot into victory remains to be seen, but the speed and poise displayed in qualifying indicate that “Big Dave” could be a name heard frequently in victory lanes ahead.
This weekend at Phoenix also featured broader team success, with Penske cars showing strength across sessions. The result bodes well for the organization’s championship aspirations, as Malukas adds fresh energy to a lineup that includes proven winners like Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin.
For Malukas, the journey from promising talent to pole-sitter at a marquee event underscores his growth and determination. He has handled the transition to a top team with maturity, delivering results that validate the move. As the green flag drops on Saturday, all eyes will be on the No. 12 car, ready to see if David Malukas can turn his breakthrough qualifying lap into an even bigger breakthrough in the standings and his career.