David Malukas found himself at the center of attention after Sunday’s IndyCar race at Milwaukee, but not for the reason he wanted.
Malukas appeared to have a strong chance at earning his first career IndyCar victory when a problem on the final restart allowed Pato O’Ward to get past him and take the win. Malukas ultimately finished second, marking his fourth runner-up finish of the 2026 season.
Following the race, Malukas was clearly frustrated and placed much of the blame on Chevrolet, Team Penske’s engine supplier. He said Chevrolet had “let us down” after his car experienced a hesitation during the restart. Malukas also expressed frustration about what he described as recurring engine-related issues.
The comments quickly gained attention because Malukas drives the No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet for Team Penske. Chevrolet-powered cars ultimately dominated the Milwaukee race, with O’Ward leading a Chevrolet sweep of the top seven finishing positions.
Malukas later walked back his comments and apologized, describing his criticism as immature and something he said out of frustration. He acknowledged that his emotions were high after losing another opportunity to claim his first IndyCar victory.
The situation highlights just how difficult Malukas’ 2026 season has been. The 24-year-old has consistently shown the speed to compete near the front of the field, but he continues to search for that elusive first IndyCar win. His four runner-up finishes this season demonstrate that he has been close on multiple occasions.
Despite the frustration, Malukas remains one of the strongest drivers in the championship battle. Earlier this season, he earned his first career pole position at Phoenix, showing the pace he and Team Penske’s Chevrolet package possess.
For Malukas, the Milwaukee disappointment will eventually have to become motivation. He has already demonstrated that he can run with the best drivers in the series. Now, the next step is converting those strong performances into victories.
His comments may have created an unnecessary distraction, but Malukas’ apology appears to have put the situation behind him.
With the 2026 season entering its final stretch, Malukas will have another opportunity to silence the critics — and perhaps finally find his way to Victory Lane.