David Malukas couldn’t have timed his breakthrough at Milwaukee any better—until the very last minute. The young Illinois driver put together two stunning laps in qualifying, briefly holding pole position for Sunday’s Snap-on 250 in the No. 4 AJ Foyt Racing Chevy. Malukas’ two-lap average of 162.256 mph put him above a competitive field, and all signs pointed to a career moment when just one rival remained.
Then, with only minutes to spare, reigning champion Alex Palou came out for the final run and delivered a pole-winning performance. Malukas watched as Palou powered around the historic oval, and instantly knew the fight for top spot was over. Still, Malukas didn’t hang his head—in his own words, those were “two beautiful laps,” and his front-row starting spot marks another impressive step forward in a season full of progress.
Backed by the technical expertise of race engineer James Schnabel, Malukas has become one of AJ Foyt Racing’s most consistent qualifiers. Across 16 events this year, he’s nabbed 11 top-12 starts and five in the top five, with Milwaukee marking his second front-row of the campaign and fourth overall in his IndyCar career. He credits Schnabel’s tailored setups and deep understanding of his driving preferences as key reasons for the team’s jump in performance.
While Malukas’ qualifying has soared, his race results have been up and down—just four top-ten finishes, but with standout efforts, including a memorable runner-up at the Indy 500. This Milwaukee run feels like a homecoming, too, with the Chicago native racing in front of a crowd packed with local supporters and family. He drew from teammate Santino Ferrucci’s data and experience on the one-mile oval, hoping it will help convert front-row speed into a first series win.
The Milwaukee Mile promises “beautiful chaos” on race day—undercuts, tire wear, and a field packed with contenders. Malukas knows he’s starting from a prime spot, with the right car underneath him and a crew building momentum, ready to take on Palou and the rest for a breakthrough victory.
So while Malukas’ first pole will have to wait, his Milwaukee performance proves this rising star and his AJ Foyt Racing team belong at the sharp end. Eyes are firmly on the No. 4 Chevy as the field roars off for 250 laps of classic IndyCar action.