David Malukas says the choice on the place he’ll race in 2025 will come “ahead of you assume.”
Signed to drive the No. 66 Meyer Shank Racing Honda by way of the September 15 season finale at Nashville Speedway, Malukas has acquired a multi-year supply to remain within the automotive and can also be understood to have at the least one different important choice outdoors of MSR inside the NTT IndyCar Sequence paddock.
A number of sources have advised RACER that Malukas is leaning in the direction of shifting to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, the place lead driver Christian Lundgaard is departing for Arrow McLaren on the finish of this season, however Malukas says these sources are fallacious.
“Pretend information, I’m not doing that,” Malukas mentioned to RACER. “The free agent course of goes actually good, fortunately, since I managed to really get again right into a automotive after the entire harm factor and the way this 12 months began, which was wonderful. Had some respectable performances, and folks didn’t overlook about me, and there have been a couple of choices right here, and we’re getting shut. I’m actually excited. Good things coming.”
Amid some errors and inconsistencies whereas shaking off a number of rust, Malukas has been quick in qualifying and in competition for sturdy finishes with the No. 66 automotive. Inserting sixth on the final race in Toronto marks his finest thus far for the Ohio-based group, and whereas his return to MSR is something however assured, Malukas is grateful for every little thing Jim Meyer and Mike Shank have finished to assist reenergize his profession and create choices he lacked after being dropped by Arrow McLaren in April.
“The outcomes have been ‘meh,’” he mentioned. “A number of errors from my facet, getting again into the combo, and at Toronto, lastly we had some consistency. We survived and bought an excellent outcome.
“The velocity was there from the beginning. I used to be in my very own head getting back from this harm. The quantity of people who advised me, ‘It’s by no means going to really feel the identical. You’re by no means going to drive the identical, and also you’re going to be totally different, and there’s a number of danger.’
“And to return into it at Laguna Seca, there was a number of ache in that wrist. It was like survival, and we have been on for a prime 10 till we bought a flat tire. After which we go into Mid-Ohio, we certified third, and simply instantly, we’re proper again into it. It cured all of these overthinking ideas; individuals telling me that it’s simply not going to be the identical.
“What I actually loved most is the street course and the road course efficiency, as a result of I really feel like within the earlier years at Dale Coyne Racing, I bought this identify of being an oval specialist when, from my facet, I at all times felt like there was extra alternative to be proven on street programs and road programs. Being with MSR, I’ve been capable of present somewhat bit extra of that facet as nicely. Now, individuals total are seeing the skillsets.
“Actually, I’m simply so grateful for the chance. If I wasn’t in a automotive this season and I needed to sit out of the seat for a complete season, simply letting my thoughts race and overthink if I’m ever going to get again. The celebs aligned and simply, thank God. Thanks Michael Shank. Thanks Jim Meyer, as a result of they saved me. Actually, that was a career-saving second, and I’m right here due to them.”
