WEST ALLIS, Wis. — To say David Malukas had an up-and-down day in Sunday’s (Aug. 24) Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250 would be a massive understatement.
The results read that the A. J. Foyt Enterprises driver started the race on the front row, led 25 laps and finished eighth. But Malukas overcame a bad pit stop and losing a lap just to get back into the top 10.
“The car was incredible,” Malukas told Frontstretch. “I mean, you go a lap down and we worked our way all the way back up to a P8 finish. And I mean, one more caution there, and I think another start a cycle, and we could have been fighting for the lead again.”
Malukas took the lead from polesitter Alex Palou on lap 16, but the 2025 NTT IndyCar Series champion reclaimed the lead 25 laps later. He lost second to Scott McLaughlin on the first pit cycle, but it was because the team was making a wing adjustment. Malukas believed after the stop that he was “back on par with Palou.”
But it was the next pit cycle where things went horribly wrong for the Chicago native. When Malukas pitted on lap 103, the right front tire changer’s pit gun failed. He had to scramble to grab another one, and it led to Palou lapping Malukas as the caution flag came out. Despite the unfortunate break, Malukas refused to lose hope.
“No, I didn’t think it was over,” Malukas said. “… But I knew we were fast, so I just waited till we could get that cycle. Another caution came, and we went to the back of the field.
A combo of issues on Lap 104 😬
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) August 24, 2025
Yellow flag is out for Will Power spinning on track, while David Malukas has trouble on pit lane. pic.twitter.com/FUB8bDKY1a
Just over 40 laps later, Malukas was back on the lead lap. And then, it was go time for the 23-year-old.
“And I said — you can actually listen on the radio — I told my spotter, I’m like, ‘Get ready, because it’s about to be some fun,'” Malukas said.
With just under 100 laps to go, Malukas methodically worked his way through the field to his eighth-place result. Still, as Malukas put it, it was another case of the “almosts.”
“Incredible job from this crew,” Malukas said. “They built a good car for me. But another weekend of almost, right? I feel like that’s how this season’s been.
“We’ve almost, almost, almost, and yesterday, almost get a pole. And then today, things were looking good and now we missed it again. So it’s another ‘almost’ weekend.”
However, Malukas didn’t let the missed opportunity get him down. He chose an optimistic approach to it instead.
“I think it’s gonna be one of those big finale movie endings, right?” Malukas said. “That’s what I hope the story is written. I want a good ending here, and hopefully in Nashville, we can at least get a sticker or something, man. Come on. We’re getting so close.”
Michael Massie joined Frontstretch in 2017 and has served as the Content Director since 2020.
Massie, a Richmond, Va., native, has covered NASCAR, IndyCar, SRX and the CARS Tour. Outside of motorsports, the Virginia Tech grad and Green Bay Packers minority owner can be seen cheering on his beloved Hokies and Packers.