Plainfield, IL (October 25, 2021) – Rookie David Malukas got his first taste of an NTT INDYCAR SERIES car yesterday at Barber Motorsports Park aboard the team’s #18 car and impressed in his debut by registering the fastest lap time of the one-day test.
The Indy Lights vice champion was up against veteran driver Ryan Hunter-Reay amongst others and was ecstatic with his first time in an Indy car.
“Wow, just beautiful, I am in love! It’s just a beautiful car. What a beast. I went out and was just shocked by the amount of grip and downforce that it has through these high-speed corners. I’m going through them, thinking that’s the limit, and then I’m like, ‘Oh, no, maybe I could go deeper.’ And I just kept going deeper and deeper. And it’s just holding and holding. I was like, ‘Damn, this thing just has an immense amount of grip.’
“The team at Dale Coyne Racing has been awesome. Everybody there is just so friendly. I already feel like I’m at home. They spoiled me. I mean, I got a water bottle, a fan, just all these little things. They told me they’re here for whatever I need, and it’s just so much for me. So yeah, I’m in love. It was a wonderful day,” shared Malukas.
Malukas is coming off an excellent season in Indy Lights where he claimed seven wins, seven poles and a series-leading 16 podiums in 20 races on his way to a second place in the Championship. He also set two track records at St. Petersburg (qualifying) and Detroit (race).
Barber Motorsports Park Test Results:
P1: David Malukas, No. 18 Dale Coyne Racing Honda, 76.398s
P2: Ryan Hunter-Reay, No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevy, 76.698s
P3: Devlin DeFrancesco, No. 29 Andretti Autosport Honda, 76.781s
P4: Kyle Kirkwood, No. 26 Andretti Autosport Honda, 76.995s
P5: Nico Hulkenberg, No. 7 Arrow McLaren SP Chevy, 77.454s