David Malukas blamed a Chevrolet engine issue for costing him his maiden IndyCar victory at The Milwaukee Mile after a hesitation on a late restart handed the win to Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward.
Driving the #12 Team Penske Chevrolet, the 24-year-old Chicago native started third in the resumed Race 1 following a fourth-place finish in Race 2. An off-strategy pit call put Malukas into the lead on lap 120, and he went on to lead 93 laps. However, on a restart with 19 laps remaining, Malukas' car hesitated, allowing O’Ward to dive underneath him into Turn 1 and drive off to secure the victory.
