It’s Official. Malukas to Team Penske
Team Penske photo
By Dennis Krause
What had long been speculated, Team Penske made official on Thursday as it announced that David Malukas had signed a multi-year contract to drive for the team in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES beginning in 2026.
Malukas, who had driven for A.J. Foyt Racing the last two seasons, will be behind the wheel of the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet recently vacated by two-time series champion and 2018 Indianapolis 500 winner Will Power.
“We are excited to add David Malukas as the next driver of the No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet,” said team owner Roger Penske. “We feel that Team Penske will provide David everything needed to take the next step in his career, and we are confident that he will continue the great legacy of the Verizon Chevrolet.”
Malukas made his NICS debut at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in 2022, scoring five top-five finishes and 16 top-10 finishes in 61 races in which he has competed through the 2025 season finale. At the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Malukas won Rookie of the Year in the 2021 Indianapolis 500, posted the fastest lap of the race in 2022 and finished second in 2025.
“Racing for Team Penske is the goal for every young racecar driver, and I am honored to be one that gets to live out that dream,” said the 23-year-old Malukas. “Will Power is one of the legends of our sport and the No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet is one of the most-recognized cars on the grid. These are big shoes to fill, but I look at it as an opportunity because I know that it is one of the best teams in the paddock.”
The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season begins with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Sunday, March 1.
Dennis Krause has spent decades covering all forms of motorsports, including over 40 Indianapolis 500s, with stints at WIBA Radio, PIT PASS - Radio’s Premier Motorsports Magazine and Motorsports Minute. Follow him on X @DennisKrause500 or motorsportsminute.bluesky.social or motorsportsminute on Threads or MotorsportsMinute+ on Facebook.