The NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver who has scored the most points on oval tracks this season couldn’t be happier that this weekend’s doubleheader is at the Milwaukee Mile.

David Malukas needs it.

It has been a rough recent patch for the driver of the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet. Once challenging the throne of three-time reigning series champion Alex Palou, Malukas has slipped to fourth in the standings, all but eliminated from title contention.

Not coincidentally, Malukas’ loss of standings traction has coincided with disappointing finishes on a road course (Portland International Raceway) and two street circuits (in Markham and Washington) as he battles lingering effects of a past wrist injury. His average finish in those races was 17.7, a fall-off-the-cliff drop from his 6.25 average in the season’s first 12 races.

Malukas began July trailing Palou by 60 points. Today, the deficit is 142 points, with time running out.

The Snap-on Makers and Fixers 250 on Saturday (2:30 p.m. ET) is the first of three races to end the season. No. 2 on that list comes Sunday with the Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250 (1 p.m. ET). Both races will air live on FOX, FOX One and INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls.

Malukas has been driving with a carbon-fiber brace on the left wrist he fractured and dislocated while suffering torn ligaments in a mountain biking accident in February 2024. He said the brace has reduced his mobility and, more importantly, occasionally diverted his focus.

Mostly, though, the challenge is the brace itself.

“For a short time, I can do it,” Malukas said Friday. “But (in) races where you have a snap of the wheel (and) higher (tire wear), it’s harder to keep control of everything because you have this giant sling.

“The wrist itself can take it, but because the sling is limiting my motion, it’s tough.”

David Malukas

Malukas (photo, above) admitted there have been times over the past six weeks when he has been “more focused on the wrist than the car,” something he said can’t happen.

The Chicago native said the wrist has been a problem as far back as the July 5 race at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, In the Aug. 9 race in Portland, he wore wrist wraps, and the team adjusted his steering wheel in a bid to assist. In the Aug. 16 race in Markham, Malukas publicly mentioned a continuation of the discomfort.

Malukas said it was more of the same last weekend in Washington and likely contributed to his car getting into the wall on Lap 83 of the 90-lap race. He was in sixth place at the time. Remember, NTT INDYCAR SERIES cars lack power steering, creating big loads on drivers’ arms and hands.

Following the big impact from Sting Ray Robb’s trailing car in Turn 7, Team Penske changed the Chevrolet engine in Malukas’ car, which will lead to a penalty for exceeding the season limit. Per series rules, Malukas will start Saturday’s race nine positions deeper in the field than he qualifies.

Malukas arrived at Team Penske with a history of strong oval-track finishes, and he has backed that up in this ride. He won the pole, led 73 laps and finished third in the first oval race of the season, the Good Ranchers 250 at Phoenix Raceway. He qualified third and finished second in the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, where he led another 30 laps. At World Wide Technology Raceway, he qualified second and finished seventh, giving him an average oval-track finish of 4.0 this year.

Now the two races at Milwaukee are on tap. Qualifying for the NTT P1 Award is at 11 a.m. ET Saturday (FS1), and that session will set the lineup for both races. This weekend offers a perfect place – and time – for Malukas to score his first oval-track race victory. He will wear the brace, but it shouldn’t be a factor on an oval.

“Got a few more races to finish off the season,” he said. “I have to make sure I can put myself back on form."