Two years ago, David Malukas entered the Month of May at Indianapolis Motor Speedway without a ride.

Malukas had signed with Arrow McLaren ahead of the 2024 season to drive the No. 6 Chevrolet. A mountain bike accident changed those plans, leading to surgery Feb. 13, 2024, to repair his left hand and wrist. He missed the first four races, and the team ultimately moved in a different direction, dropping him.

Malukas returned midseason with Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian, making nine starts in the No. 66 Honda. That stint helped propel him to AJ Foyt Racing for the full 2025 season, where he finished a career-best 11th in points. The year included a runner-up finish in the Indianapolis 500 and five top-10 results.

The trajectory has shifted again this year.

Malukas joined Team Penske this offseason, replacing Will Power in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet. He enters the Month of May third in the championship standings with four consecutive top-seven finishes.

“This team is incredible,” Malukas said. “Everybody here is working their butts off and giving 110 percent. We’re trying to find something new every day, and it’s showing. We’ve got great momentum. P3 in the championship – it’s only up from here.”

His start to the season has backed that up.

Malukas earned his first NTT P1 Award for the Good Ranchers 250 at Phoenix Raceway and qualified on the front row for the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix powered by AmFirst at Barber Motorsports Park. He started sixth in last Sunday’s Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach and appeared poised for a second podium finish of the season before a slow final pit stop on Lap 59.

Instead, he finished seventh.

“That was going to be a fantastic day,” Malukas said. “We had a fantastic Verizon Chevy. Really good fuel saving. We were going to jump Kyle (Kirkwood) on that last pit stop and be on for a podium. It was going to be a great day. Unfortunately, we had a small issue with the air jack. These things happen, and we move forward.”

David Malukas

After five races, Malukas (photo, above) leads Team Penske in points, ahead of Josef Newgarden (sixth) and Scott McLaughlin (seventh) -- a development that may surprise some outside the organization, but not those inside it.

Malukas who was winless in 61 starts entering the season, had to replace Power, who won 42 races with the team, including the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge in 2018, and two championships.

“He’s been at the shop a lot,” McLaughlin said. “He’s been in the simulator, and we’ve worked really well together there. Our sim program is in a really good spot right now in terms of correlation and pushing us forward during the season.

“He’s doing everything that commands respect from anyone.”

McLaughlin also acknowledged the significance of replacing a veteran like Power, while pointing to Malukas’ recent experience across multiple teams as a benefit.

“Will obviously brought a lot of experience,” McLaughlin said. “But at the same time, we’ve got a guy who’s been with several teams recently, and that’s important. He’s already brought a lot to the table.”

Newgarden echoed that sentiment, noting Malukas’ ability and mindset.

“You can feel it, some people were initially wondering why Dave’s in this seat,” Newgarden said. “I think he’s really good. He’s smart. He’s fast. He’s absolutely capable of winning races, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that happens sooner rather than later.

“When you come to Team Penske, every tool and every piece of information to maximize yourself is available. It’s an open-book team. At that point, you sink or you swim.

“Time will tell, but I think he’s going to do a great job. If he shows up the way he always has, fast, with good feedback, he’s going to be just fine.”