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David Malukas Gears Up for Milwaukee Doubleheader Comeback
Highlights
- David Malukas aims for comeback at Milwaukee Mile doubleheader.
- He leads the NTT INDYCAR points on oval tracks this season.
- Malukas currently fourth in standings, 142 points behind leader.
- Saturday and Sunday races broadcast live on FOX and INDYCAR Radio.
- Engine change causes Malukas nine-position penalty for Saturday’s race.
- Wrist injury and brace impact steering, but oval races suit him.
David Malukas targets a reset at the Milwaukee Mile doubleheader this weekend, leaning on oval strength to revive Team Penske’s campaign while contending with a Saturday nine-place grid penalty.
He leads the season’s oval points, but road and street form slumps, averaging 17.7 across Portland, Markham, and Washington.
Malukas leads the 2026 INDYCAR season in points scored on oval tracks.
Early consistency, a 6.25 average across the first 12 races, has ebbed. He sits fourth, 142 points adrift of the leader, once trading blows with champion Alex Palou.
The Milwaukee weekend features the Snap-on Makers and Fixers 250 on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET and the Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250 on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
Qualifying sets both grids Saturday at 11 a.m. ET, with coverage on FOX, FOX One, and INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls.
Engine change triggers a nine-position grid penalty for Saturday’s race.
Malukas continues with a carbon-fiber brace on his left wrist after fracture-dislocation and ligament damage from a biking crash. Limited mobility and no power steering amplify steering loads and fatigue.
Despite that, his oval record is decisive: pole and third at Phoenix, third on the grid and second at the Indianapolis 500, and seventh at World Wide Technology Raceway.
The resulting 4.0 average finish on ovals underscores his potential for the doubleheader at Milwaukee.
Average finish on ovals this season: 4.0.
The nine-place drop reshapes Saturday strategy. Expect emphasis on clean out-laps, traffic management, and flexible stints to exploit cautions, with Penske likely prioritizing Sunday’s track position through qualifying execution.
With three races after Milwaukee, the title picture narrows. For Malukas, taking points from Palou and his Milwaukee rivals depends on converting oval pace and minimizing losses on road-street tracks.
“I have a few more races to finish off the season,” Malukas says. He expects oval loads to mute wrist limitations and keep his campaign alive into the final stretch.
Visual Summary
⬆️
Malukas Fights Back on the Ovals!
Milwaukee Doubleheader: His Best Shot at Redemption
4.0
Oval Avg. Finish
💪
Racing with
wrist brace
wrist brace
-142
Points behind
the leader
the leader
⚠️ 9-place grid penalty on Saturday—must storm through the pack!
Sat 2:30p ET: Snap-on Makers & Fixers 250 | Sun 1p ET: Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250
Live on FOX, FOX One & INDYCAR Radio
“I have a few more races to finish off the season.
I have to make sure I can put myself back on form.”
— David Malukas
I have to make sure I can put myself back on form.”
— David Malukas
Brian Thompson focuses on IndyCar Series news, from qualifying speeds at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to street-course race strategy. He delivers concise feature stories and technical breakdowns on chassis setups, tire choices, and championship standings for open-wheel enthusiasts.
