David Malukas is able to shake the ‘Lil’ Dave’ nickname and develop into ‘Huge Dave.’
For that to occur, although, the 24-old must earn that long-awaited maiden win within the IndyCar Sequence. And this weekend presents his greatest alternative but after blazing to his first profession pole for Saturday’s race at Phoenix Raceway.
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The Chicago native made qualifying look straightforward, ripping his #12 Crew Penske Chevrolet across the 1-mile tri-oval for a two-lap common of 175.383mph, besting teammate and infamous oval overlord .
It’s a robust end result that additional validates Penske’s reasoning in choosing Malukas to interchange , a two-time collection champion and 2018 Indianapolis 500 winner that left after 17 years to hitch Andretti World. The mix of that, not to mention driving for probably the most prestigious crew in Indy automobile historical past, brings a heavier weight than most should cope with.
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“It doesn’t matter what crew I have been with and all through these years in IndyCar, I’ve at all times had a type of stress to cope with, and I believe that for Crew Penske it is a particular stress,” mentioned Malukas, who turned the sixty fifth driver to say a pole place for Crew Penske. “It is one which I am very excited to cope with.
“For me Crew Penske has at all times been my dream. Going right into a automobile that had a legacy, the Verizon #12 automobile, all through all these years, the historical past, and clearly Will Energy, what an unbelievable identify. I grew up watching him on the TV. There’s undoubtedly stress there.
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“Regardless of the place you are at, you at all times have a type of stress, however I believe on this one it is one which I am excited to cope with, one which I really feel like I will thrive in. Simply being at Crew Penske, that atmosphere, I have been with many various groups, and it is very particular.”
Altering his present nicknameDavid Malukas, Crew Penske
David Malukas, Crew Penske
If Malukas can deal with the stress and be the primary to take the checkered flag after 250 laps on Saturday, he’ll drop the self-anointed nickname that’s existed since his sophomore season in 2023 with Dale Coyne Racing.
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“A Crew Penske win, but additionally my first win, and simply all-around a win is what we’re pushing for,” mentioned Malukas, who has a greatest end of second (twice – 2025 Indianapolis 500, 2022 World Extensive Expertise Raceway) in 63 profession begins.
“That is undoubtedly what I actually need to do and may absolutely drop this Lil’ Dave identify that is been hanging on for too lengthy.
“Yeah, a win can be unbelievable. With this crew, we have now each alternative at each racetrack to get it executed.”
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An IndyCar consultant then advised, “And develop into Huge Dave.”
To which Malukas mentioned, “Yeah, that is going to be the brand new identify”
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