Malukas On His Way To Becoming Big Dave

By Dennis Krause

A couple years ago, when David Malukas was driving for Dale Coyne Racing, he gave himself the nickname, Little Dave.

Now, driving for Team Penske, perhaps the most iconic, powerhouse team in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Malukas is on his way to becoming Big Dave.

Malukas put his No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet on the pole for Saturday’s Good Ranchers 250 at Phoenix Raceway, with teammate Josef Newgarden locking out the front row.

Just because Malukas won his first career NTT P1 award doesn’t mean he can shed the nickname - at least not just yet, according to Newgarden.

“Big day. Big Dave. Little Dave, actually. He has to win a race before he's Big Dave. I think that's the rule.

“It's his rule,” Newgarden said. “I think he came up with it. I'm not making it up.”

Indeed, that’s the case according to the 24-year-old Malukas, in his first season at Team Penske.

“I gave myself Little Dave, but the thing it was Gateway '23. You know, my voice of still high. I wasn't growing any hair. You know, it was cool. I was, like, yeah, Little Dave. I just didn't think I would still not get a win.

“Then, you know, I watched the replay of St. Pete, and I think it was in practice with Scott Dixon. We got close to the wall, and [Fox Sports] Townshend Bell is, like, That's a little gap for Little Dave. I'm, like, man, we need to drop that name. I'm pushing really hard for this one. That's my number one motivational factor is that we can finally drop the Little Dave.”

After a couple of near misses on short ovals last year at Milwaukee and Nashville, finally getting his first career pole is the first step.

“Yeah, it feels good. We had so many close moments. I mean, that was the story of last season with qualifying, at least on these ovals where we're provisionally sitting in that pole spot. Then right at the end, right at the death, we would get dropped down to second or third, whatever it may be.

“I already knew this time, though, that lap, it was a pretty sporty lap. It was pretty good. It seemed that the track actually went in our favor and it started to get worse.

“I already had our confidence pretty high, and yeah, it feels so good to finally get it here. Yeah, all we needed was just a really good crew, so big thank you to Team Penske.”

Malukas admits eing with Team Penske brings it’s own kind of pressure, of being able to show he’s earned the ride and deserves it.

“Yeah, I think no matter what team I've been with and throughout these years in INDYCAR, I've always had a form of pressure to deal with, and I think that for Team Penske it's a special pressure. It's one that I'm very excited to deal with.

“For me Team Penske has always been my dream,” Malukas stated. “Going into a car that had a legacy, the Verizon No. 12 car, throughout all these years, the history, and obviously Will Power, what an incredible name. I grew up watching him on the TV. There's definitely pressure there.

“Like I said, no matter where you're at, you always have a form of pressure, but I think in this one it's one that I'm excited to deal with, one that I feel like I'm going to thrive in. Just being at Team Penske, that environment, I've been with many different teams, and it's very special.”

Making this weekend at Phoenix even more special, is that the NASCAR Cup Series is also racing at the one-mile desert oval. At a Team Penske 60th anniversary function earlier in the day, Malukas found himself surrounded by Indy 500 winners, INDYCAR champions, Daytona 500 winners and NASCAR champs — all from Team Penske.

No pressure there.

“I mean, it's obviously fantastic to be a part of it and seeing it all. You're kind of at a loss of words, right? Just seeing all the NASCAR guys, and even earlier today we're all seated with the captain himself there.

“But to me it's just very special. I love to be a part of it, and no, I mean, I still can't believe it. I'm pinching myself every day the fact that this is real and I'm here at Team Penske.

“I think from my side all that pressure and seeing all these fantastic drivers around me, I think it just adds to me just wanting to push even harder, that much harder, to be run across history, and what better way to do that than on Team Penske on their 60th?”

To fully become a part of that group, all Malukas has to do now is win on Saturday.

“A Team Penske win, but also my first win, and just all-around a win is what we're pushing forward. That's definitely what I really want to do. And can fully drop this Little Dave name that's been hanging on for too long.

“Yeah, a win would be fantastic,” said Malukas, “and I think with this team we have every opportunity at every racetrack to get it done.”

And become Big Dave.

“Yeah, that's going to be the new name.”

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.

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