INDIANAPOLIS — David Malukas joined Team Penske in the offseason after having driven for numerous teams in the NTT IndyCar Series.
On Tuesday, Malukas returned to Indianapolis Motor Speedway where he finished second in last year’s Indianapolis 500 while driving for A.J. Foyt Racing.
Malukas was seventh quick on a day when 32 cars made it on to the 2.5-mile race track.
The Illinois driver said he adapted to the Penske machine quickly.
“I mean, almost instantly. I don’t know. I felt so confident. It felt so good. For me it helps having an advantage having James on board. I worked with him last year at Foyt,” Malukas said. “We did an incredible 500 for us last season. We were able to work off of that previous setup, right?
Went out, felt very similar to last year. Now even after today we already made some changes, some progress forward where I’m even more comfortable.
“I think that’s the good thing coming into this season. We’re not going off of this is a fresh start, let’s see where we’re going,” he added. “We’re going off of this is what we had last year, now we can start there, continue working, finding more potential, more progress. Makes me even that much more confident coming into this 500.”
Malukas did some race running in small packs.
“Yeah, we went out. All three of us (Penske teammates), toward the afternoon, we all went a little bit different on three different programs,” Malukas explained. “Me and Scott (McLaughlin) ended up back together with some race running at the end.
“We wanted to do it between the three of us, but kick-start everyone else, who is willing to join us. Thankfully we ended up getting Pato (O’Ward, McLaren) in that group as well. I actually felt like I was with Pato a lot today.
“Even after lunch, we went back out, me and him were swapping positions back and forth. We got a lot of data between each other. For the team it was good.”
Malukas acknowledged he still has a lot to learn at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“I’m still 24 and there’s a lot to learn. I think from all the perspectives I’ve had of this race, I’ve learned a lot. Especially last year, last season, it played in my head for months and months. Many nights I couldn’t sleep thinking back what I could have done differently.
“Those last 30, 20 laps after that last pit stop, it’s a completely different race, different ballgame. It’s something I’ve learned so much from, studied very much. I’m going to take that knowledge into this season. Now I’m not going to be nearly as flustered come that time.”
