David Malukas Aims for Success at Iowa Speedway Doubleheader
Iowa Speedway — After a challenging stint on road courses, David Malukas of AJ Foyt Racing is eager to return to oval racing this weekend for the IndyCar doubleheader at Iowa Speedway. The 0.894-mile oval has historically been a favorable venue for Malukas, having achieved a second-place finish in the Indianapolis 500 and leading 67 laps at Worldwide Technology Raceway earlier this season.
"I’m very excited to be back on an oval," Malukas stated. "The team usually performs well here, and I love the atmosphere of a short oval."
Malukas has a solid track record at Iowa, starting in the top 10 in four of his six races, including a second-row start in 2023. He emphasized the chaotic yet exhilarating nature of the races, saying, "You’re passing so many cars that you don’t even know what position you’re in. It’s just a good time."
A technical alliance between AJ Foyt Racing and Team Penske, which has secured eight of the last nine victories at Iowa, bolsters Malukas’ confidence. "With the partnership and Foyt’s history of success here, I’m excited to see how our short oval car performs," he noted.
Aero and Tire Innovations
This weekend’s racing will feature a new aerodynamic package aimed at improving competition following NASCAR’s recent repaving of the inside lanes, which affected IndyCar’s performance. The revision transfers aerodynamic load from the underwing to the rear wing, increasing drag to facilitate easier overtaking.
Additionally, Firestone has developed a new right-front tire construction specifically tailored for Iowa. "IndyCar is doing everything they can to improve the racing," Malukas said, acknowledging that, as he did not participate in recent testing, "there are more unknowns for us."
The race length has also been extended from 250 to 275 laps, presenting drivers with new strategic options. "Any changes help create more strategy, and I trust IndyCar has good reasoning for this," Malukas commented.
Physical Demands of the Doubleheader
The doubleheader poses considerable physical challenges, with drivers needing to recover in just 20 hours between races. Malukas acknowledged the demanding conditions: "The races are longer, and this package might be heavier on the wheel. It’s going to be a true physical test."
He is already consulting his trainer regarding a recovery strategy to tackle what he anticipates will be the toughest weekend thus far. "We have intense heat, along with longer races and heavier cars, so the training we’ve done is critical now," he stated.
Currently sitting 12th in the standings and just 11 points behind teammate Santino Ferrucci in 10th, Malukas views Iowa as a vital opportunity to score points. "We’ve salvaged points in the past, but at Iowa, we know we can achieve better results," he said. "Clean pit stops will be crucial, and consistency is key. With the standings so tight, even a risky pass could be beneficial in the long run."
As the IndyCar series moves to Iowa for this significant doubleheader, all eyes will be on Malukas to see if he can convert his oval expertise into points and possibly propel himself into the top 10 in the championship standings.
