David Malukas expressed his feelings about replacing two-time IndyCar champion Will Power at Team Penske in 2026 and felt the pressure of the No. 12 legacy being passed on to him was so great that fans were left wondering “can he reach that.”
In the high-octane world of IndyCar racing, where legacies are forged on ovals and road courses alike, few announcements carry the weight of a generational handover.
On September 18, 2025, Team Penske dropped a bombshell that sent ripples through the paddock: 23-year-old sensation David Malukas would step into the iconic No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet for the 2026 NTT IndyCar Series season, replacing the venerable Will Power.
Power, a two-time series champion in 2014 and 2022, and the 2018 Indianapolis 500 winner, had inked a deal with Andretti Global just weeks earlier, leaving behind a 17-year tenure at Penske marked by 42 victories—most of them in that very car—and a record 71 pole positions.
For Malukas, the move represents the pinnacle of his young career, but it also thrusts him into a spotlight so intense that it’s sparked a chorus of fan skepticism: Can he reach that?
Malukas, a first-generation Lithuanian American hailing from the gritty streets of Chicago, didn’t mince words when reflecting on the seismic shift.
“Racing for Team Penske is the goal for every young race car driver, and I am honored to be one that gets to live out that dream,” he said in a statement released alongside the announcement. But beneath the excitement lay an undercurrent of raw vulnerability.
In a candid interview with ESPN shortly after the news broke, Malukas opened up about the emotional toll of inheriting Power’s throne.
“These are big shoes to fill, but I look at it as an opportunity because I know that it is one of the best teams in the paddock,” he admitted. Yet, as the conversation deepened, his voice carried a tremor of doubt. “The pressure… it’s immense.
Will’s not just a driver; he’s a legend who defined this team. Stepping into No. 12 feels like carrying the weight of IndyCar history on my shoulders. I’ve got the talent, I believe that, but can I match his fire? His wins? It’s keeping me up at night.”
That confession struck a chord with fans, many of whom flooded social media with a mix of hype and hesitation.
On X (formerly Twitter), the hashtag #MalukasToPenske trended for days, with posts ranging from celebratory memes of Malukas hoisting a replica Borg-Warner Trophy to pointed questions like, “Lil’ Dave’s fast, but Power’s a killer.
Can he reach that?” One viral thread from a longtime Penske supporter dissected Malukas’ stats against Power’s, concluding with a sobering poll: 58% voted “maybe,” while 42% flat-out said no. The doubt wasn’t born in a vacuum.
Power’s departure capped a frustrating 2025 for the Australian veteran, who finished ninth in the standings despite a late-season win at Portland International Raceway. His exit stemmed from stalled contract talks—Penske offered a one-year extension, but Power sought stability and a fresh challenge at Andretti, where he’ll pilot the No.
26 car vacated by Colton Herta’s pursuit of Formula 1 dreams.
For Malukas, this isn’t just a promotion; it’s redemption. His path to Penske has been a rollercoaster of triumphs and setbacks. Karting since 2013, he burst onto the scene by clinching the INDY NXT Rookie of the Year in 2019.
His 2021 season was a masterclass: seven wins, six poles, and a staggering 16 podiums in 20 starts, finishing second in points and etching his name in series records. But IndyCar proved tougher.
Signed to Arrow McLaren SP in 2022, Malukas showed flashes—three career podiums, including a gutsy third at Detroit—but tragedy struck in early 2023 when a wrist injury sidelined him for the entire season, leading to his release. Rebounding with A.J.
Foyt Enterprises in 2025, a Penske-affiliated squad, he delivered his best yet: an 11th-place championship finish, five top-fives, and a heart-stopping runner-up at the Indianapolis 500. Penalized post-race for unapproved modifications, Marcus Ericsson dropped to the back, handing Malukas the silver lining in IndyCar’s crown jewel.
That Indy 500 performance was the clincher for Roger Penske, the 88-year-old titan whose empire spans ovals from Daytona to Le Mans. “We are excited to add David Malukas as the next driver of the No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet,” Penske declared.
“We feel that Team Penske will provide David everything needed to take the next step in his career, and we are confident that he will continue the great legacy of the Verizon Chevrolet.” The multiyear deal—terms undisclosed—positions Malukas as Penske’s future, especially with Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin locked in as the team’s veteran anchors.
Malukas’ familiarity with Penske tech through Foyt smoothed the transition; he logged his first laps in a full Penske machine during an October test at World Wide Technology Raceway, emerging with a grin but eyes shadowed by resolve.
Yet, the pressure Malukas described isn’t hyperbole—it’s the IndyCar equivalent of succeeding Michael Jordan in Chicago. Power’s No. 12 wasn’t just a car; it was a symbol of unrelenting excellence.
From his 2008 debut to his 2022 title clinched amid controversy at Laguna Seca, Power embodied Penske’s ethos: precision, aggression, and unyielding pursuit. Fans remember his on-track battles with Newgarden, his mic-drop radio calls, and that iconic 2018 Indy 500 charge.
Malukas, at 23, brings youthful audacity—his aggressive lines and qualifying prowess echo Power’s early days—but lacks the scars of sustained dominance. “I’ve watched Will race since I was a kid,” Malukas told USA Today. “His passion, the way he attacks corners… it’s inspiring, but terrifying to follow.
The fans expect fireworks right away, and honestly, so do I. But what if I falter? That ‘can he reach that’ question—it’s in my head too.”
As 2026 looms, with Malukas set to debut at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, the narrative shifts from doubt to destiny. Insiders buzz about his potential: simulations show him adapting quickly to Penske’s Dallara-Chevrolet package, and his Chicago roots could boost Verizon’s urban marketing push.
Teammates Newgarden and McLaughlin have voiced support, with Newgarden quipping, “Dave’s got that fire—Will would approve.” Power himself, in a gracious farewell, texted Malukas: “Own it, kid. The 12’s yours now.” But the real test comes under the lights of Barber or the roar of Indy. Malukas knows the stakes.
In a follow-up chat on the IndyCar podcast “Off Track with… Hinchcliffe,” he elaborated on the emotional grind. “It’s not just about speed; it’s mental. Replacing Will means honoring his chaos—the wins, the crashes, the trash talk. Fans wonder if I can reach that height? Hell, I’m wondering too.
But that’s why I race: to prove them wrong, and myself right.”
The IndyCar silly season of 2025 reshaped the grid, but no move looms larger than this. As Malukas straps into the No. 12, the question hangs like exhaust in the air: Can he reach that? His answer, delivered with quiet fire, is a resounding challenge to the doubters.
“Watch me.” With Penske’s resources and his own grit, Malukas isn’t just filling shoes—he’s aiming to outrun the shadow. The 2026 season can’t come soon enough.
