Team Penske has confirmed the hiring of David Malukas to replace Will Power. This decision had been rumored since the IndyCar season-opening race in March. The 23-year-old Malukas will drive the No. 12 car with Verizon sponsorship under a multi-year agreement. Power, a two-time series champion and Indianapolis 500 winner, ranks fourth on the IndyCar win list with 45 career wins. Malukas, a first-generation Lithuanian American, joins his fourth team in four years. He was supposed to drive for McLaren Racing in 2024 but was released after a biking accident. Malukas expressed excitement about joining Team Penske.
Chip Ganassi has focused on racing for 35 years, and it’s paid off. Alex Palou just clinched his fourth IndyCar championship, marking the 17th title for Chip Ganassi Racing. This ties them with Team Penske for the series record. Ganassi achieved the feat in 35 years, while Penske has been racing for nearly two decades longer. Since 2008, Ganassi's team has claimed 12 of 18 championships. Palou’s dominant season included eight wins, making him the first driver since 2010 to win both the Indianapolis 500 and the IndyCar championship in the same year.
Will Power, the consummate company man who won two IndyCar titles and the Indianapolis 500 for Roger Penske, will not return to Team Penske for an 18th season. The long-expected announcement was finally made Tuesday, two days after the season finale, and nearly a year after speculation began that Power would not be renewed when his contract expired as the team eyed a younger driver. Power turns 45 at the start of next season. As the season dragged on without any movement from Penske, Power’s departure became more and more obvious. He showed up at the season-opener in March — on his birthday weekend — facing questions about the possibility of 23-year-old David Malukas replacing him at the end of the year. The speculation was never silenced by Team Penske.
Will Power has been reflecting on his career with Team Penske after the IndyCar season finale. He still doesn't know if he'll get a new contract for an 18th season or if he can start negotiating with other teams. Power has been with Penske since 2009, winning 41 races, two championships, and the 2018 Indianapolis 500. Despite his success, the Australian is uncertain about his future, especially with rumors of a younger driver replacing him. Power says he's grateful for his time with Penske and is considering his options for the final years of his career.
Josef Newgarden, a two-time IndyCar champion, faces a challenging season. If he doesn't win the Nashville Superspeedway finale on Sunday, it will be his first winless season since 2014. Newgarden has struggled, with only one podium finish since the season opener. He ranks 16th in the standings, the lowest among Team Penske drivers. The season took a downturn at the Indianapolis 500, where car alterations led to team executive firings. Meanwhile, Will Power awaits news on his future with Penske, and Pato O'Ward aims for a win from pole position.
Four-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou and his boss have denied reports that Red Bull is interested in signing him to its Formula 1 team. Palou says there has been no contact from Red Bull. And he's suggesting the rumor might be an attempt to distract from his successful IndyCar season. He has won eight of 16 races, including the Indianapolis 500. On Tuesday, Palou told The Associated Press that he hasn't heard anything from Red Bull. Palou had a chance at F1 in 2023 but chose to stay with Ganassi. He says he's happy in IndyCar and isn't missing out by not going to F1.
In uncertain times, big familiar traditions take on extra meaning.
Even though the front tires may look identical, their internal construction and rubber compounds differ.
An Indianapolis 500 fan whose vehicle was damaged when a tire flew off a racecar and out of the track during the race will receive a new car, an Indianapolis Motor Speedway spokesperson said.
He talked with WDRB Mornings about wrapping up his career.