David Malukas continues to take in greatness because the one hundred and tenth Operating of the Indianapolis 500 inches nearer.
A yr in the past, the Chicago native captured a runner-up end within the Indy 500 whereas driving for A.J. Foyt, a four-time winner of “The Biggest Spectacle in Racing.” Now, he’s set to roll off from the surface of Row 1 for Crew Penske, the place he can soak up knowledge from one other legend, in four-time Indy 500 winner Rick Mears.
“Properly, I feel they’re simply totally different of their demeanor,” Malukas instructed Motorsport.com. “You realize, with A.J., I attempt to get info from A.J., however he is telling me tales about preventing tigers and stuff. A.J. is simply, clearly, a personality.
“Listening to from Rick, firstly, he clearly instructed me some unbelievable tales. How a lot has modified within the Indy 500. Really, listening to his tales, I believed, ‘Man, I do not know if I might truly be a driver again then from how unsafe it was.’
“These guys had been legends in their very own methods. However, clearly, we’re simply choosing up info. He is been telling me a number of issues. On the finish of the day, the racing’s totally different, however all of them sort of inform me the identical factor, ‘Look, you are a younger man. Attempt to hold it calm. Do not be going on the market doing silly issues. It is a lengthy race.’ All the time simply acquired to suppose forward and consider the long run plan. And also you need to be there in the long run. You are not going to win a race early on. And that appears to be repetitive info between all drivers.”
David Malukas, Crew Penske Chevrolet
Photograph by: Penske Leisure
Malukas additionally has a pair of teammates which have discovered success on the Brickyard in two-time Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden, and 2024 Indy 500 pole–sitter Scott McLaughlin. Contemplating McLaughlin was additionally a sponge to something Mears instructed him, maybe Malukas can attempt to extract one thing totally different to realize an additional edge?
“Yeah, possibly,” mentioned Malukas, 24.
Nevertheless, Malukas additionally desires to be respectful, let it develop organically and never overstep.
“Nevertheless it’s exhausting for me as a result of I take a look at him as like I am making an attempt to speak to a well-known particular person. So, it is actually exhausting for me. It is just a little bit awkward. I am similar to, ‘Hey!’ And I do not need to decide his mind as a result of I do know he is making an attempt to only be there and benefit from the race.
“I do not need to be a brand new child coming in and being like, ‘Hey are you able to give me all this info?’ I need to construct that relationship and get shut as a result of I feel that may be very particular to say I’ve a detailed relationship with Rick Mears.”
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