David Malukas (born September 27, 2001) is an American racing driver who most recently competed in the NTT IndyCar Series for Meyer Shank Racing, and is due to drive for A. J. Foyt Racing.

David Malukas
Malukas in 2024
NationalityUnited States American
Born (2001-09-27) September 27, 2001 (age 23)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
IndyCar Series career
44 races run over 3 years
Team(s)No. 41 (A.J. Foyt Enterprises)
Best finish16th (2022)
First race2022 Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
(St. Petersburg)
Last race2024 Music City Grand Prix
(Nashville Superspeedway)
Wins Podiums Poles
0 2 0

Early career

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Lower formula

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In 2016 and the early part of 2017, Malukas competed in the Formula 4 UAE Championship for Rasgaira Motorsports.[1] He did not contest the full season but still finished sixth in the championship.

Malukas would move to ADAC Formula 4 to compete for Motopark in 2017. There he would end up finishing nineteenth in the championship.

U.S. F2000 National Championship

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Along with his efforts in ADAC Formula 4, Malukas would compete in the U.S. F2000 National Championship in 2017 for BN Racing. At the first race at Road America, he took pole position and finished on the podium in second.

Pro Mazda Championship

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After competing part-time in the U.S. F2000 National Championship the previous year, Malukas would move up to the Pro Mazda Championship in 2018 again driving for BN Racing.[2] He would have an impressive season with three wins and six podiums to finish fourth in the championship.

Formula Regional Americas Championship

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Due to the 2020 Indy Lights season being cancelled in 2020, Malukas would compete in the Formula Regional Americas Championship for HMD Motorsports. He had a successful season claiming two wins and fifteen podiums to finish second in the championship.

Indy Lights

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In 2019, Malukas would once again move up a rung in the Road to Indy ladder to the Indy Lights series driving for BN Racing.[3] In August of that year, Malukas' father Henry acquired BN Racing's Indy Lights operation and established HMD Motorsports. Malukas would only have two podiums at Circuit of the Americas and Gateway Motorsports Park respectively.

Malukas was set to compete in the series in 2020,[4] however the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[5]

After 2020, Malukas returned to the series in 2021 once again with HMD Motorsports.[6] He would claim his maiden pole at the second race at Barber Motorsports Park and would go on to get his first win in the series.[7][8] Malukas would challenge rookie Kyle Kirkwood for the title all season but ultimately finished second in the standings behind Kirkwood. He would have his most impressive season in any category thus far with six poles, sixteen podiums and seven wins.[9]

IndyCar

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Dale Coyne Racing (2022–2023)

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Malukas driving for Dale Coyne Racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

On December 15, 2021, it was announced that Malukas would drive the No. 18 entry full-time for Dale Coyne Racing in partnership with HMD Motorsports during the 2022 IndyCar Series season.[10] At Mid-Ohio, he finished a career-best ninth in his first top-10 of the season.[11] At the next race in Toronto, Malukas made it into the Firestone Fast 6 for a second time that season and qualified a career-best fifth.[12] Malukas took his first podium at Gateway, nearly passing his idol Josef Newgarden for the win on the last lap but ultimately settling for second place.[13]

In 2023, Malukas' second campaign with Dale Coyne started off with a top-10 finish in the chaotic season opener in St. Petersburg, then saw him qualify 9th in the 2023_PPG_375 at Texas Motor Speedway, and finish 4th in a multi-car battle for the win. His promising start went a bit awry, when he managed only 2 top-20 results during the next 6 races in a row Following a last-place finish in the Sonsio Grand Prix at Road America, David shook off the bad luck by qualifying 12th and recording a 6th place finish. The next stop at Toronto would prove to be a let down, being credited with a 20th place after retiring due to contact. Malukas went on to the double-header at Iowa and recorded solid 12th and 8th place finishes. The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix at Nashville he qualified 6th, but suffered a mechanical failure, and was credited with a last-place finish. After a disappointing qualifying session, at the Gallagher Grand Prix, in Indianapolis, he moved up 7 positions to finish 16th. Returning to Gateway, the site of his breakout performance during the previous season, he came home in 3rd. At Portland, David qualified 24th, then worked his way forward to finish in 8th place. During the season finale in Laguna Seca, he survived a shunt, which left him stranded in a gravel trap, then returned to finish 20th.

Arrow McLaren (2024)

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On September 8, 2023, Arrow McLaren announced Malukas had been signed to a multi-year contract as driver of the No. 6 entry, beginning in 2024.[14] However, on the second weekend of February, Malukas tore ligaments and dislocated left wrist in a mountain biking accident, and underwent hand surgery Tuesday, February 13. After missing four races, and with an unclear recovery timeline, he was released by the team on April 29, 2024.[15]

Meyer Shank (2024)

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On June 7, 2024, it was announced that Malukas would be returning to IndyCar with Meyer Shank Racing, replacing Tom Blomqvist.[16] Starting at Laguna Seca, he competed in all remaining rounds of the 2024 season in the No. 66 car.[17]

A. J. Foyt Racing (2025)

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On August 13, 2024, it was announced that Malukas signed a multi-year deal with A. J. Foyt Racing for the 2025 season and beyond.[18]

Personal life

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Malukas' parents emigrated from Telšiai in 1991,[19] shortly after Lithuania regained independence from the Soviet Union, which had illegally annexed the country in 1940.[20] Malukas was born in Chicago, Illinois and is a United States citizen.[21] He has said in an interview that while also eligible for Lithuanian citizenship, he has not pursued it.[22] In addition to the American flag, Malukas marks his cars with the Lithuanian flag in honor of his ethnic heritage.[21]

In 2015, Malukas was one of the featured drivers in the Kart Life TV series, which provided a behind the scenes look into the world of young kart racers.[23]

Karting record

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Karting career summary

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Season Series Team Position
2009 Florida Winter Tour — Rotax Micro Max MRP Motorsport 26th
2010 SKUSA SuperNationals — TaG Cadet 8th
2011 Florida Winter Tour — Rotax Micro Max 5th
SKUSA SuperNationals — TaG Cadet 12th
2012 Florida Winter Tour — TaG Cadet 9th
Florida Winter Tour — Rotax Mini Max 25th
WKA Manufacturer’s Cup — Cadet Sportsman 3rd
WKA Manufacturer’s Cup — Yamaha Sportsman 6th
WKA Manufacturer’s Cup — Yamaha Sportsman 2 2nd
SKUSA SuperNationals — TaG Cadet 4th
2013 Florida Winter Tour — TaG Cadet 7th
Florida Winter Tour — Rotax Mini Max 4th
WKA Manufacturer’s Cup — Cadet Sportsman 2nd
WKA Manufacturer’s Cup — Yamaha Sportsman 2nd
WKA Manufacturer’s Cup — Komet Sportsman 2nd
WKA Manufacturer’s Cup — Komet Sportsman 2 3rd
SKUSA SuperNationals — TaG Junior 23rd
Robopong 200 — Yamaha Junior Sportsman 4th
Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals — Mini Max 1st
2014 Florida Winter Tour — TaG Junior 6th
Florida Winter Tour — Rotax Junior 1st
WKA Manufacturer’s Cup — Parilla Sportsman 3rd
WKA Manufacturer’s Cup — Yamaha Sportsman 3rd
SKUSA SuperNationals — TaG Junior Top Kart USA 2nd
IAME International Final — X30 Junior 54th
2015 Florida Winter Tour — Junior ROK 4th
Florida Pro Kart Winter Series — IAME Junior Pro Kart USA NC
Rotax Grand Nationals U.S.A. — Junior 4th
SKUSA SuperNationals — TaG Junior J3 Competition 4th
SKUSA SuperNationals — S5 Junior Stock Moto NC
X30 Challenge Europa — X30 Junior 14th
IAME International Final — X30 Junior 1st
2016 Florida Winter Tour — Rotax Senior 9th
X30 Challenge Europa — X30 Junior 33rd
CIK-FIA European ChampionshipOKJ Vital Motorsport 38th
CIK-FIA World ChampionshipOKJ Ricciardo Kart Racing 31st
WSK Final CupOKJ Birel ART Racing 16th
2017 SKUSA SuperNationals — Rotax Senior 33rd


Racing record

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Career summary

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Season Series Team Races Wins Poles F/Laps Podiums Points Position
2016–17 Formula 4 UAE Championship Rasgaira Motorsports 11 0 0 0 1 97 5th
2017 ADAC F4 Championship Motopark 18 0 0 0 0 20 19th
U.S. F2000 National Championship BN Racing 9 0 1 0 1 108 10th
2018 Pro Mazda Championship BN Racing 16 3 3 2 6 302 4th
2019 Indy Lights BN Racing
HMD Motorsports
18 0 0 0 2 301 6th
2020 Formula Regional Americas Championship HMD Motorsports 17 2 0 1 15 283 2nd
2021 Indy Lights HMD Motorsports 20 7 7 4 16 524 2nd
2022 IndyCar Series Dale Coyne Racing with HMD Motorsports 17 0 0 2 1 305 16th
2023 IndyCar Series Dale Coyne Racing with HMD Motorsports 17 0 0 1 1 265 17th
2024 IndyCar Series Meyer Shank Racing 10 0 0 1 0 148 24th

American open–wheel racing results

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U.S. F2000 National Championship

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Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Rank Points
2017 BN Racing STP STP BAR BAR IMS
9
IMS
18
ROA
2
ROA
14
IOW TOR
15
TOR
14
MDO
6
MDO
6
WGL
5
10th 108

Pro Mazda Championship

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Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Rank Points
2018 BN Racing STP
7
STP
2
BAR
3
BAR
5
IMS
7
IMS
10
LOR
11
ROA
1
ROA
1
TOR
9
TOR
9
MDO
2
MDO
13
GMP
8
POR
4
POR
1
4th 293

Indy Lights

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Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Rank Points
2019 BN Racing
HMD Motorsports1
STP
4
STP
4
COA
10
COA
3
IMS
6
IMS
6
INDY
11
RDA
6
RDA
4
TOR
9
TOR
8
MDO
5
MDO
5
GTW
3
POR
6
POR
8
LAG
5
LAG
7
6th 301
2021 HMD Motorsports ALA
13
ALA
1
STP
3
STP
1
IMS
2
IMS
1
DET
5
DET
3
RDA
7
RDA
1
MDO
3
MDO
3
GTW
1
GTW
1
POR
1
POR
2
LAG
4
LAG
2
MDO
2
MDO
2
2nd 524
  • 1 HMD Motorsports acquired BN Racing's Indy Lights operation in August 2019

Formula Regional Americas Championship

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(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Rank Points
2020 HMD Motorsports MOH
1

2
MOH
2

2
VIR
1

5
VIR
2

3
VIR
3

3
BAR
1

3
BAR
2

3
BAR
3

2
SEB
1

1
SEB
2

5
SEB
3

3
HMS
1

2
HMS
2

2
HMS
3

1
COTA
1

3
COTA
2

3
COTA
3

2
2nd 283

IndyCar Series

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(key)

Year Team Chassis No. Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Rank Points Ref
2022 Dale Coyne Racing w/ HMD Motorsports Dallara DW12 18 Honda STP
26
TXS
11
LBH
21
ALA
20
IMS
12
INDY
16
DET
11
ROA
16
MDO
9
TOR
12
IOW
14
IOW
8
IMS
13
NSH
20
GTW
2
POR
14
LAG
13
16th 305 [24]
2023 STP
10
TXS
4
LBH
20
ALA
19
IMS
26
INDY
29
DET
23
ROA
27
MDO
6
TOR
20
IOW
12
IOW
8
NSH
27
IMS
16
GTW
3
POR
8
LAG
20
17th 265 [25]
2024 Meyer Shank Racing 66 STP
THE
LBH
ALA
IMS
INDY
DET
ROA
LAG
16
MDO
12
IOW
27
IOW
13
TOR
6
GTW
21
POR
20
MIL
15
MIL
22
NSH
9
24th 148 [26]
2025 A. J. Foyt Racing 41 Chevrolet STP
THE
LBH
ALA
IMS
INDY
DET
GTW
ROA
MDO
IOW
IOW
TOR
LAG
POR
MIL
NSH
- 0

Indianapolis 500

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Year Chassis Engine Start Finish Team
2022 Dallara Honda 13 16 Dale Coyne Racing w/ HMD Motorsports
2023 Dallara Honda 23 29 Dale Coyne Racing w/ HMD Motorsports

References

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  1. ^ Rizvi, Ahmed (October 26, 2016). "Richard Cregan and Rasgaira steering Emirati involvement in new F4 UAE Championship". The National. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  2. ^ "My Mazda Road to Indy: BN Racing". indypro2000.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  3. ^ "Malukas Adds Three Wins in 2018 in Preparation for Next Step in Motorsports Career". indylights.com. December 21, 2018. Archived from the original on December 21, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  4. ^ "David Malukas Rejoins HMD Motorsports for 2020". indylights.com. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  5. ^ "Indy Lights set to go on hiatus for 2020". motorsport.com. Archived from the original on October 5, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  6. ^ "Malukas Set for Championship Run with HMD Motorsports". indylights.com. Archived from the original on May 7, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  7. ^ Wood, Ida (April 16, 2021). "Malukas wins close duel with Lundqvist for maiden Indy Lights pole". Formula Scout. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  8. ^ "Malukas gets redemption and first win to end Indy Lights's return round". Formula Scout. April 18, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  9. ^ Woollard, Craig (December 29, 2021). "How Malukas gave Kirkwood the toughest task of his Road to Indy treble". Formula Scout. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  10. ^ Brown, Nathan (December 15, 2021). "Dale Coyne Racing signs David Malukas for No. 18, HMD Motorsports to serve as partner". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  11. ^ "David Malukas Picks up Best Finish of the Season with Ninth Place at Mid-Ohio". July 3, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  12. ^ "David Malukas Qualifies Season Best of Fifth at Honda Indy Toronto". July 16, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  13. ^ "IndyCar rookie David Malukas career-best second Gateway - NBC Sports". NBC Sports. August 21, 2022. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  14. ^ "David Malukas will join Arrow McLaren lineup in 2024". NBC Sports. September 8, 2023.
  15. ^ "Arrow McLaren releases David Malukas from team". mclaren.com. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  16. ^ Komar, Maddie (June 7, 2024). "David Malukas Joins Meyer Shank Racing". Meyer Shank Racing. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  17. ^ "David Malukas joins Meyer Shank Racing, taking over ride vacated by Tom Blomqvist for rest of season". NBC Sports. June 7, 2024. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  18. ^ Pruett, Marshall (August 13, 2024). "Malukas signs multi-year deal with Foyt". Racer.com. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  19. ^ "Malukas' Parents Living American, '500' Dream as Immigrants". IndyCar.com. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  20. ^ "From Lithuania to IndyCar via 'a chaotic disaster'". The Race. December 15, 2021.
  21. ^ a b "From Lithuania to IndyCar via 'a chaotic disaster'". The Race. December 15, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  22. ^ BUS BROS Episode 11: This is Chaos, September 8, 2022, retrieved August 21, 2023
  23. ^ "Kart Life". IMDb.
  24. ^ "David Malukas – 2022 NTT IndyCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  25. ^ "David Malukas – 2023 NTT IndyCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  26. ^ "David Malukas – 2024 NTT IndyCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
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