Team Penske has officially confirmed the signing of David Malukas to drive the No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet starting from the 2026 IndyCar series season.
The multiyear agreement places Malukas in a coveted seat formerly operated by two-time series champion and 2018 Indianapolis 500 winner Will Power, who recently parted ways with Penske to join Andretti Global.
The 23-year old driver is set to step into a highly recognized car with a celebrated legacy, which he acknowledges as a tremendous honor and a big challenge he is eager to embrace.
“Racing for Team Penske is the goal for every young racecar driver, and I am honored to be one that gets to live out that dream,” said Malukas.
“Power is one of the legends of our sport and the No 12 Verizon Chevrolet is one of the most-recognized cars on the grid. These are big shoes to fill, but I look at it as an opportunity because I know that it is one of the best teams in the paddock.”
David Malukas’s journey to Team Penske is a testament to his rising talent and perseverance in American open-wheel racing.
Born in Chicago to Lithuanian American parents, Malukas developed a passion for racing early on, inspired by his father Henry Malukas, himself a competitor at renowned circuits like Road America.
David started his karting career in 2013 and proceeded to secure several wins and championships, establishing a solid foundation that propelled him into higher tiers of racing.
His transition to the INDYCAR ladder system in 2019 showcased his growing prowess, claiming the INDY NXT by Firestone Rookie of the Year honors.
Malukas’s breakout season came in 2021 when he secured seven race wins, six poles, and a record 16 podium finishes in 20 starts, finishing second in the championship standings.
However, his journey to Team Penske was not without its challenges. In 2024, Malukas signed with the Arrow McLaren team but was sidelined due to a pre-season wrist injury suffered in a mountain biking incident, which prevented him from starting any races for the outfit.
Despite the setback, his resilience saw him make an impressive comeback with Meyer Shank Racing in the latter half of 2024, before moving to Penske’s technical ally A.J. Foyt Racing for 2025.
Throughout the season Malukas garnered attention for his performance consistency, finishing 11th in the championship with several top-ten finishes while being closely monitored by Team Penske through their partnership with Foyt.
Final 2025 IndyCar Drivers Championship Standings
2026 IndyCar Schedule: 17 races, new venues and dates confirmed
“We are excited to add David Malukas as the next driver of the No 12 Verizon Chevrolet,” said Roger Penske in a release from the team.
“We feel that Team Penske will provide David everything needed to take the next step in his career, and we are confident that he will continue the great legacy of the Verizon Chevrolet.”
Malukas’s profile particularly grew following his runner-up finish at the 2025 Indianapolis 500 after initial 2nd place finisher Marcus Ericsson was penalized for unapproved modifications discovered post-race.
These performances, combined with his evident potential fueled widespread speculation over Malukas replacing Power at Penske.
Malukas joins double IndyCar champion and Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden, who signed with the team in 2017, driving the No. 2 Chevy, and Scott McLaughlin, who transitioned from the DJR Team Penske Supercars team as a three-time champion at the end of 2020 and has since won seven races in the No. 3 Chevy.
READ MORE:
IndyCar driver salaries 2025: Who are the highest paid drivers?
Meyer Shank extends Marcus Armstrong contract for 2026 IndyCar
