David Malukas continues to soak up greatness as the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 inches closer.
A year ago, the Chicago native captured a runner-up finish in the Indy 500 while driving for A.J. Foyt, a four-time winner of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” Now, he’s set to roll off from the outside of Row 1 for Team Penske, where he can take in wisdom from another legend, in four-time Indy 500 winner Rick Mears.
“Well, I think they're just different in their demeanor,” Malukas told Motorsport.com. “You know, with A.J., I try to get information from A.J., but he's telling me stories about fighting tigers and stuff. A.J. is just, obviously, a character.
“Hearing from Rick, firstly, he obviously told me some incredible stories. How much has changed in the Indy 500. Actually, listening to his stories, I thought, ‘Man, I don't know if I would actually be a driver back then from how unsafe it was.’
“These guys were legends in their own ways. But, obviously, we're just picking up information. He's been telling me a lot of things. At the end of the day, the racing's different, but they all kind of tell me the same thing, ‘Look, you're a young guy. Try to keep it calm. Don't be going out there doing stupid things. It's a long race.’ Always just got to think ahead and think of the future plan. And you want to be there in the end. You're not going to win a race early on. And that seems to be repetitive information between all drivers.”
Malukas also has a pair of teammates that have found success at the Brickyard in two-time Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden, and 2024 Indy 500 pole–sitter Scott McLaughlin.
Considering McLaughlin was also a sponge to anything Mears told him, perhaps Malukas can try to extract something different to gain an extra edge?
“Yeah, maybe,” said Malukas, 24.
However, Malukas also wants to be respectful, let it grow organically and not overstep.
“But it's hard for me because I look at him as like I'm trying to talk to a famous person. So, it's really hard for me. It's a little bit awkward. I'm just like, ‘Hey!’ And I don't want to pick his brain because I know he's trying to just be there and enjoy the race.
“I don't want to be a new kid coming in and being like, ‘Hey can you give me all this information?’ I want to build that relationship and get close because I think that would be very special to say I have a close relationship with Rick Mears.”
