INDYCAR: Malukas earns first career pole at Phoenix
AVONDALE, Ariz. — David Malukas captured his first career NTT INDYCAR Series pole in the iconic Team Penske No. 12 at Phoenix Raceway.
Team Penske swept the front row, with Josef Newgarden, who is one of the series’ premier oval racers, lining up alongside his teammate in second.
Malukas (175.383 mph) brought proven oval pedigree into the weekend with three career podiums on ovals.
He backed it up by setting the fastest time in the opening practice session to ignite the empowered pole run.
“I’m just so happy! So many P2’s and finally a pole…what a way to start the season… and our Phoenix race tomorrow” Said an elated Malukas after sealing his first career pole.
Rahal Letterman Langigan brought pure speed to the desert as well. They locked out the second row on the grid with Graham Rahal and Mick Schumacher.
Rahal brought his oval experience to the plate with a massive 173.993 mph lap time.
His mentee Schumacher was the first car to qualify due to INDYCAR’s reverse championship qualifying order.
Whether it was lessons learned from Rahal or the weight of no expectations he delivered a blazing 173.677 mph average to start fourth.
Other Notable Runs
INDYCAR used its standard oval qualifying format at Phoenix, giving each driver one run with the average speed of two laps setting the grid.
Alexander Rossi, who topped the Phoenix test earlier this year, delivered a steady run but couldn’t match the Rahal Letterman Lanigan duo.
His 173.389 mph average placed him sixth..
Rinus VeeKay followed in eighth with a 173.248 mph average, while Nolan Siegel bounced back from a rough opening weekend to qualify ninth at 172.995 mph.
Finally, the championship leader Alex Palou rounded out the top 10 with a 172.980 mph average.
Will Power continued his early season struggles. His first of two laps tracked to the top but in turn two a lost control of his No. 26 TWG Honda and into the outside wall similar to Rosenqvist’s practice incident. He starts 25th.
24 of the 25 competitors took to the session due to Felix Rosenqvist’s opening practice incident.
Meyer Shank Racing driver crashed hard into the outside wall sustaining major damage. The team will repair the tub and not go to a backup car but will start 24th.
Below is how the full INDYCAR field will lineup for the Good Ranchers 250 at Phoenix Raceway.
Starting Lineup
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Ryan Kemna View All
Ryan Kemna is a photojournalist for The Racing Experts, LLC. He has been with TRE since 2025.
Currently residing in the Minneapolis, MN, area, Kemna brings his passion for motorsports, photography, and a good story to readers.