For David Malukas, the sadness of a first victory that flies away

The Missouri oval is undoubtedly David Malukas' favorite track. The American-Lithuanian driver celebrated his first podium there, a second place in 2022, before doing it again a year later, with a third position at the finish, each time on behalf of Dale Coyne Racing. This weekend, if Malukas was this time playing for Meyer Shank, he lost none of his speed on this very particular circuit, comprising two first turns much tighter than the last two, and therefore requiring constant compromises on the settings of the car.

Starting from second position on the grid, the driver of the No. 66 remained in the leading group, even allowing himself to lead a few laps at the very start of the race. But it was in the second half of the event that his potential was revealed. In the game of strategy, it was Will Power (Team Penske) and he who were best placed to fight for victory. Twenty laps from the finish, taking advantage of latecomers in front of the duo, David Malukas tried his luck in the first corner... and came out against the wall, putting an end to his race and what would perhaps result in first victory in IndyCar.

HEARTBREAK for @malukasdavid and the No. 66!

📺: #Bommarito500 on USA and Peacock pic.twitter.com/8tjejCPxmN

- NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) August 18, 2024

Unharmed after a harsh impact against the exterior wall, the one who was to pilot this season for Arrow McLaren before being dismissed following a wrist injury believes that it is the Australian from Team Penske who is to blame in their contact, Malukas having not moved from the white line inside the track.

“I probably couldn’t have done anything differently.”, he declared on NBC Sports. “I had a run on Power, I shifted, I went inside him. From my point of view... Power just yelled at me, but from what I see, I slowed down, I braked and I gave him as much space as I could. I was on the vibrator and he touched me on the side. I couldn't do anything more, he came yelling at me but he had a whole outside trajectory he could go on. I would have tried the same maneuver, it was a good maneuver, if he had stayed on his trajectory, it would have gone perfectly. Hitting me like that, it's a real shame, it sucks. »

The 22-year-old, who will drive for AJ Foyt Racing next year, appeared on the verge of tears when discussing this opportunity to win his first IndyCar race. Malukas is currently experiencing something of an unexpected rebirth, after the immense disappointment of losing his seat at Arrow McLaren, and the former Dale Coyne Racing resident seems to appreciate the extent to which opportunities do not present themselves so frequently in such a sport. competitive.

“It was such a good weekend for us, I just wanted to get this result at the end. We got a good result in Toronto and that would have been the case again here, but we'll have to try to carry that positive momentum to Portland next week. »

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