David Malukas

Last updated

David Malukas
David Malukas 2025.png
Malukas in 2025
Nationality Flag of the United States.svg 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. 4 (A. J. Foyt Racing)
Best finish16th (2022)
First race 2022 Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
(St. Petersburg)
Last race 2025 Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250 (Milwaukee Mile)
WinsPodiums Poles
030
Previous series
2019, 2021
2020
2018
2017
2017
2016–17
Indy Lights
FR Americas Championship
Pro Mazda Championship
USF2000 Championship
ADAC F4 Championship
Formula 4 UAE Championship

David Joseph Malukas [1] (born September 27, 2001) is an American racing driver who competes in the IndyCar Series driving the No. 4 Chevrolet for A. J. Foyt Racing. He previously drove for Meyer Shank Racing in 2024.

Contents

Early career

Lower formula

In 2016 and the early part of 2017, Malukas competed in the Formula 4 UAE Championship for Rasgaira Motorsports. [2] 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

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

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. [3] He would have an impressive season with three wins and six podiums to finish fourth in the championship.

Formula Regional Americas Championship

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

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. [4] 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, [5] however the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [6]

After 2020, Malukas returned to the series in 2021 once again with HMD Motorsports. [7] 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. [8] [9] 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. [10]

IndyCar

Dale Coyne Racing (2022–2023)

Malukas driving for Dale Coyne Racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway David malukas (52261693525).jpg
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. [11] At Mid-Ohio, he finished a career-best ninth in his first top-ten of the season. [12] 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. [13] 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. [14]

In 2023, Malukas' second campaign with Dale Coyne started off with a top-ten finish in the chaotic season opener in St. Petersburg, then saw him qualify ninth in the 2023 PPG 375 at Texas Motor Speedway, and finish fourth in a multi-car battle for the win. His promising start went a bit awry, when he managed only two top-twenty results during the next six 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 twelfth and recording a sixth place finish. The next stop at Toronto would prove to be a let down, being credited with a twentieth place after retiring due to contact. Malukas went on to the double-header at Iowa and recorded solid twelfth and eighth place finishes. The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix at Nashville he qualified sixth, 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 seven positions to finish sixteenth. Returning to Gateway, the site of his breakout performance during the previous season, he came home in third. At Portland, David qualified 24th, then worked his way forward to finish in eighth place. During the season finale in Laguna Seca, he survived a shunt, which left him stranded in a gravel trap, then returned to finish twentieth.

Arrow McLaren (2024)

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. [15] However, on the second weekend of February, Malukas tore ligaments and dislocated his 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. [16]

Meyer Shank (2024)

Malukas driving for Meyer Shank Racing at Mid-Ohio in 2024 Malukas Mid Ohio 2024.jpg
Malukas driving for Meyer Shank Racing at Mid-Ohio in 2024

On June 7, 2024, it was announced that Malukas would be returning to IndyCar with Meyer Shank Racing, replacing Tom Blomqvist. [17] Starting at Laguna Seca, he competed in all remaining rounds of the 2024 season in the No. 66 car. [18]

A. J. Foyt Racing (2025)

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. [19] He finished second after starting seventh at the Indianapolis 500. The following week, he qualified second for the Detroit Grand Prix, and ran amongst the top-five before contact with Álex Palou resulted in a penalty, dropping him down the finishing order.

Personal life

Malukas' parents emigrated from Telšiai in 1991, [20] shortly after Lithuania regained independence from the Soviet Union, which had illegally annexed the country in 1940. [21] Malukas was born in Chicago, Illinois and is a United States citizen. [22] He has said in an interview that while also eligible for Lithuanian citizenship, he has not pursued it. [23] In addition to the American flag, Malukas marks his cars with the Lithuanian flag in honor of his ethnic heritage. [22]

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. [24]

Karting record

Karting career summary

SeasonSeriesTeamPosition
2009Florida Winter Tour — Rotax Micro MaxMRP Motorsport26th
2010SKUSA SuperNationals — TaG Cadet8th
2011Florida Winter Tour — Rotax Micro Max5th
SKUSA SuperNationals — TaG Cadet12th
2012Florida Winter Tour — TaG Cadet9th
Florida Winter Tour — Rotax Mini Max25th
WKA Manufacturer’s Cup — Cadet Sportsman3rd
WKA Manufacturer’s Cup — Yamaha Sportsman6th
WKA Manufacturer’s Cup — Yamaha Sportsman 22nd
SKUSA SuperNationals — TaG Cadet4th
2013Florida Winter Tour — TaG Cadet7th
Florida Winter Tour — Rotax Mini Max4th
WKA Manufacturer’s Cup — Cadet Sportsman2nd
WKA Manufacturer’s Cup — Yamaha Sportsman2nd
WKA Manufacturer’s Cup — Komet Sportsman2nd
WKA Manufacturer’s Cup — Komet Sportsman 23rd
SKUSA SuperNationals — TaG Junior23rd
Robopong 200 — Yamaha Junior Sportsman4th
Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals — Mini Max1st
2014Florida Winter Tour — TaG Junior6th
Florida Winter Tour — Rotax Junior1st
WKA Manufacturer’s Cup — Parilla Sportsman3rd
WKA Manufacturer’s Cup — Yamaha Sportsman3rd
SKUSA SuperNationals — TaG JuniorTop Kart USA2nd
IAME International Final — X30 Junior54th
2015Florida Winter Tour — Junior ROK4th
Florida Pro Kart Winter Series — IAME JuniorPro Kart USANC
Rotax Grand Nationals U.S.A. — Junior4th
SKUSA SuperNationals — TaG JuniorJ3 Competition4th
SKUSA SuperNationals — S5 Junior Stock MotoNC
X30 Challenge Europa — X30 Junior14th
IAME International Final — X30 Junior1st
2016Florida Winter Tour — Rotax Senior9th
X30 Challenge Europa — X30 Junior33rd
CIK-FIA European ChampionshipOKJ Vital Motorsport38th
CIK-FIA World ChampionshipOKJ Ricciardo Kart Racing 31st
WSK Final CupOKJ Birel ART Racing16th
2017SKUSA SuperNationals — Rotax Senior33rd

Racing record

Career summary

SeasonSeriesTeamRacesWinsPolesF/LapsPodiumsPointsPosition
2016–17 Formula 4 UAE Championship Rasgaira Motorsports110001975th
2017 ADAC F4 Championship Motopark 1800002019th
U.S. F2000 National Championship BN Racing 9010110810th
2018 Pro Mazda Championship BN Racing 1633263024th
2019 Indy Lights BN Racing
HMD Motorsports
1800023016th
2020 Formula Regional Americas Championship HMD Motorsports 17201152832nd
2021 Indy Lights HMD Motorsports 20774165242nd
2022 IndyCar Series Dale Coyne Racing with HMD Motorsports 17002130516th
2023 IndyCar Series Dale Coyne Racing with HMD Motorsports 17001126517th
2024 IndyCar Series Meyer Shank Racing 10001014824th
2025 IndyCar Series A.J. Foyt Enterprises 160021312*11th*

Complete Formula 4 UAE Championship results

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

YearTeam123456789101112131415161718PosPoints
2016-17 Rasgaira Motorsports DUB1
1
DUB1
2
DUB1
3
YMC1
1

3
YMC1
2

4
YMC1
3

Ret
YMC1
4

4
DUB2
1

7
DUB2
2

2
DUB2
3

5
YMC2
1

4
YMC2
2

4
YMC2
3

10
YMC2
4

7
YMC3
1
YMC3
2
YMC3
3
YMC3
4
5th97

Complete ADAC Formula 4 Championship results

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

YearTeam123456789101112131415161718192021PosPoints
2017 Motopark OSC1
1

18
OSC1
2

10
OSC1
3

20
LAU
1

10
LAU
2

10
LAU
3

9
RBR
1

10
RBR
2

Ret
RBR
3

13
OSC2
1

5
OSC2
2

Ret
OSC2
3

11
NÜR
1
NÜR
2
NÜR
3
SAC
1

16
SAC
2

14
SAC
3

10
HOC
1

17
HOC
2

Ret
HOC
3

16
19th20

American open–wheel racing results

U.S. F2000 National Championship

YearTeam1234567891011121314RankPoints
2017 BN Racing STP STP BAR BAR IMS
9
IMS
18
ROA
2
ROA
14
IOW TOR
15
TOR
14
MOH
6
MOH
6
WGL
5
10th108

Pro Mazda Championship

YearTeam12345678910111213141516RankPoints
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
MOH
2
MOH
13
GMP
8
POR
4
POR
1
4th293

Indy Lights

YearTeam1234567891011121314151617181920RankPoints
2019 BN Racing
HMD Motorsports 1
STP
4
STP
4
COA
10
COA
3
IMS
6
IMS
6
INDY
11
ROA
6
ROA
4
TOR
9
TOR
8
MOH
5
MOH
5
GTW
3
POR
6
POR
8
LAG
5
LAG
7
6th301
2021 HMD Motorsports ALA
13
ALA
1
STP
3
STP
1
IMS
2
IMS
1
DET
5
DET
3
ROA
7
ROA
1
MOH
3
MOH
3
GTW
1
GTW
1
POR
1
POR
2
LAG
4
LAG
2
MOH
2
MOH
2
2nd524
  • 1 HMD Motorsports acquired BN Racing's Indy Lights operation in August 2019

Formula Regional Americas Championship

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

YearTeam1234567891011121314151617RankPoints
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
2nd283

IndyCar Series

(key)

YearTeamNo.ChassisEngine123456789101112131415161718RankPointsRef
2022 Dale Coyne Racing
with HMD Motorsports
18 Dallara DW12 Honda STP
26
TXS
11
LBH
21
ALA
20
IMS
12
INDY
16
DET
11
ROA
16
MOH
9
TOR
12
IOW
14
IOW
8
IMS
13
NSH
20
GTW
2
POR
14
LAG
13
16th305 [25]
2023 STP
10
TXS
4
LBH
20
ALA
19
IMS
26
INDY
29
DET
23
ROA
27
MOH
6
TOR
20
IOW
12
IOW
8
NSH
27
IMS
16
GTW
3
POR
8
LAG
20
17th265 [26]
2024 Meyer Shank Racing 66 STP
THE
LBH
ALA
IMS
INDY
DET
ROA
LAG
16
MOH
12
IOW
27
IOW
13
TOR
6
GTW
21
POR
20
MIL
15
MIL
22
NSH
9
24th148 [27]
2025 A. J. Foyt Racing 4 Chevrolet STP
13
THE
18
LBH
17
ALA
16
IMS
23
INDY
2
DET
14
GTW
12*
ROA
7
MOH
17
IOW
12
IOW
4
TOR
9
LAG
13
POR
19
MIL
8
NSH
11th*312* [28]

Indianapolis 500

YearChassisEngineStartFinishTeam
2022 Dallara Honda 1316 Dale Coyne Racing w/ HMD Motorsports
2023 2329
2025 Chevrolet 72 A. J. Foyt Enterprises

References

  1. @malukasdavid (September 3, 2023). "NEVER GIVE UP p.s. my middle name is Joseph" (Tweet). Retrieved June 26, 2025 via Twitter.
  2. Rizvi, Ahmed (October 26, 2016). "Richard Cregan and Rasgaira steering Emirati involvement in new F4 UAE Championship". The National. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  3. "My Mazda Road to Indy: BN Racing". indypro2000.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  4. "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.
  5. "David Malukas Rejoins HMD Motorsports for 2020". indylights.com. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  6. "Indy Lights set to go on hiatus for 2020". motorsport.com. Archived from the original on October 5, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  7. "Malukas Set for Championship Run with HMD Motorsports". indylights.com. Archived from the original on May 7, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  8. Wood, Ida (April 16, 2021). "Malukas wins close duel with Lundqvist for maiden Indy Lights pole". Formula Scout. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  9. "Malukas gets redemption and first win to end Indy Lights's return round". Formula Scout. April 18, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  10. Woollard, Craig (December 29, 2021). "How Malukas gave Kirkwood the toughest task of his Road to Indy treble". Formula Scout. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  11. 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.
  12. "David Malukas Picks up Best Finish of the Season with Ninth Place at Mid-Ohio". July 3, 2022. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  13. "David Malukas Qualifies Season Best of Fifth at Honda Indy Toronto". July 16, 2022. Archived from the original on July 18, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  14. "IndyCar rookie David Malukas career-best second Gateway - NBC Sports". NBC Sports. August 21, 2022. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  15. "David Malukas will join Arrow McLaren lineup in 2024". NBC Sports. September 8, 2023.
  16. "Arrow McLaren releases David Malukas from team". mclaren.com. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  17. Komar, Maddie (June 7, 2024). "David Malukas Joins Meyer Shank Racing". Meyer Shank Racing. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  18. "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.
  19. Pruett, Marshall (August 13, 2024). "Malukas signs multi-year deal with Foyt". Racer.com. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  20. "Malukas' Parents Living American, '500' Dream as Immigrants". IndyCar.com. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  21. "From Lithuania to IndyCar via 'a chaotic disaster'". The Race. December 15, 2021.
  22. 1 2 "From Lithuania to IndyCar via 'a chaotic disaster'". The Race. December 15, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  23. BUS BROS Episode 11: This is Chaos, September 8, 2022, retrieved August 21, 2023
  24. "Kart Life". IMDb .
  25. "David Malukas – 2022 NTT IndyCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  26. "David Malukas – 2023 NTT IndyCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  27. "David Malukas – 2024 NTT IndyCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  28. "David Malukas – 2025 NTT IndyCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 1, 2025.