A Bold New Chapter Begins: David Malukas Dominates Phoenix Test in His Team Penske Debut!
Talk about making an entrance! David Malukas has kicked off his tenure with Team Penske in spectacular fashion, topping the charts on the very first day of the Unser INDYCAR Open Test at Phoenix Raceway. This marks his inaugural official NTT INDYCAR SERIES test session with the prestigious team, and he wasted no time making his mark.
Malukas, a 24-year-old driver hailing from the Chicago area, piloted the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet to the fastest lap on the 1-mile desert oval, clocking in at an impressive 172.605 mph. This performance shouldn't be a complete shocker, as Malukas has a proven track record on shorter ovals, with two of his three career podium finishes achieved at the World Wide Technology Raceway near St. Louis.
But here's where it gets interesting... Malukas's speed on Tuesday secured a 1-2 finish for Team Penske on the opening day of this two-day test. The most decorated team in INDYCAR SERIES history is clearly aiming for a strong rebound after a less-than-ideal 2025 season. Josef Newgarden, a two-time series champion, secured the second spot with a lap of 172.201 mph in the No. 2 XPEL Team Penske Chevrolet.
And this is the part most people miss: The shake-up at Team Penske also means Will Power, the 2018 series champion, is now with Andretti Global. Power, who Malukas effectively replaced, started his new journey by posting the third-fastest lap at 171.706 mph in the No. 26 TWG AI Honda, after 16 full seasons with Penske. His new teammate, Kyle Kirkwood, followed closely in fourth at 171.423 mph in the No. 27 Siemens Honda.
Rounding out the top five was none other than the reigning and four-time series champion, Alex Palou, who lapped the circuit at 171.357 mph in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.
Other teams also showed promising speed. Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian had a strong showing, with Marcus Armstrong in sixth (170.919 mph) and Felix Rosenqvist in seventh (170.489 mph), continuing their momentum from a successful 2025 season where they achieved multiple top-10 finishes.
Among the rookies, Dennis Hauger, the 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone champion, was the quickest, finishing 17th overall at 169.259 mph in the No. 19 Ault Block Chain Honda fielded by Dale Coyne Racing.
Now, here's a point that might spark some debate: Formula One veteran Mick Schumacher, son of the legendary Michael Schumacher, is still getting his feet wet on ovals. He was 23rd at 164.006 mph in the No. 47 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda. This was only his second time on a circle track, his first being a test at Homestead-Miami Speedway on February 4th. While his speed might not have been at the very front, he completed a significant 109 laps, showing dedication and a willingness to learn. Is focusing on lap count and learning more valuable for a rookie on ovals than immediate raw speed? What do you think?
Interestingly, the only incident of the day involved rookie Caio Collet in the No. 4 COMBITRANS AMAZONIA Chevrolet fielded by AJ Foyt Racing. He made minor contact in Turn 4 but was able to exit the car unassisted and was unharmed.
This test continues today, offering a final dress rehearsal for the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. The action will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET and again from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET.
The 2026 season officially kicks off with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Sunday, March 1st. Following that, the series heads back to Phoenix for the Good Ranchers 250 on Saturday, March 7th. This marks the return of INDYCAR to Phoenix for the first time since 2018.
What are your initial thoughts on Malukas's performance? Do you think Team Penske will reclaim their dominance in 2026? Share your predictions and opinions in the comments below!
