In May 2024, David Malukas was on-site at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500, but not as a driver; instead, working with the NTT IndyCar Series social media team.
At that very moment, the Chicago, Illinois-native had absolutely no idea where his racing career was headed after being released from what seemed like a dream opportunity with McLaren because of a broken wrist that kept him out of the racecar for the first part of the year.
It’s been two years since that moment, and now, Malukas is a full-time NTT IndyCar Series driver for Team Penske, and after Sunday’s 110th Running of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” a back-to-back runner-up finisher in the Indianapolis 500 — each runner-up more devastating than the last.
In 2025, Malukas, driving for A.J. Foyt Racing, crossed the start-finish line in third but was promoted to second when Marcus Ericsson was disqualified in post-race inspection. But this season, the 24-year-old was the unfortunate first runner-up in the closest finish in the history of the Indianapolis 500.
“I don’t know what else we could have done. We were the fastest car that whole race, I just, I don’t know, I gave it 150%,” said Malukas, tearfully. “I mean, I almost crashed this damn car every lap, and we still end up with second man, I just can’t believe it, I don’t know what else I can give.”
Malukas is the first NTT IndyCar Series driver since Dan Wheldon in 2009 and 2010 to finish runner-up in back-to-back Indianapolis 500s. The following year, in 2011, Wheldon crossed the yard of bricks first.
…and that’s exactly what Malukas will try to do in 2027.
“I give everything to this team, and we’ve had such a stellar season this whole month, and they give me so much support, everything I’ve needed, and I just can’t believe it. So close. This place, we’re going to come back again, though, we’re going to give it everything, we’re going to give it 160%, next time.”
After an incredible ‘Month of May’, which wrapped up with a near-miss in the Indianapolis 500, Malukas heads to the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix as the closest adversary to Alex Palou. The Team Penske driver sits second in NTT IndyCar Series point standings, 42 points behind the four-time champion.
