Reports from IndyCar journalist Marshall Pruett indicate that Team Penske is likely to replace Will Power with David Malukas starting in the 2026 season. Power, currently in the final year of his contract, remains uncertain about his future with the Roger Penske-owned outfit, as the team has withheld clarity on contract renewal up to the season finale scheduled in Nashville from August 29 to 31. This development is notable given Power’s status as the team’s strongest driver this season.
Power’s potential replacement by Malukas, who races for AJ Foyt Racing, represents a significant shift for Team Penske, which has historically refrained from hiring drivers without poles or race wins in the past forty years. Malukas, aged 23, has achieved three podiums but has yet to secure a victory in IndyCar competition. This prospect emerged in a conversation shared by Pruett with an unnamed insider from the IndyCar paddock shortly after Power’s recent success at the Grand Prix of Portland.
Inside the Contract Situation: A Rare Departure from Penske’s Norms
Marshall Pruett shared details from the off-the-record discussion on his podcast, highlighting how unusual the situation is from Team Penske’s perspective. Traditionally, the team has avoided signing unproven talents lacking poles or wins, but the decision to bring Malukas onboard would break this longstanding convention. Pruett described how the person he spoke with expressed a tone of resignation about impending changes, signaling that while nothing was official, significant shifts were expected.
“The concept of bringing in somebody in the discipline with zero wins, zero poles, as fully expect to happen with David Malukas… Just mentioning that yeah, this isn’t something that the team has traditionally done…..The response I got was one that made me sad and made me fully acknowledge, yeah, change is gonna happen. None of that’s official. There was no secret. Here’s the real answer of what’s going on and when. None of that. This is just me taking a response to something I said, which wasn’t to try and get a secret answer, but it just came out in a way where I was like, ‘Oh, okay. There we go.’
So yeah, makes no sense to me. You aren’t cutting the lowest-performing person on the roster. You are saying farewell to the highest-performing person on the roster. The one with 45 wins now and 71 poles,” Pruett said [8:15 onwards].
Will Power holds the record for the most pole positions in IndyCar history with 71 poles, and recently added his 45th series victory at Portland, securing Team Penske’s first win of the season and ending a prolonged period of struggles for the team. Despite these achievements, Power is reportedly not being prioritized for contract renewal, which has surprised many within the IndyCar community.
Star Drivers React with Confusion and Concern Over Team Penske’s Approach
Several prominent figures in the IndyCar scene have expressed bewilderment regarding Team Penske’s delayed decision on Power’s future. Paul Tracy, the 2003 IndyCar champion, publicly questioned the logic behind the uncertainty surrounding Power’s contract. Similarly, Alexander Rossi, winner of the 2016 Indianapolis 500, voiced his confusion, sharing sentiments echoed by veteran driver Graham Rahal.
David Malukas’s impressive performances this year, particularly his qualifying strength and a podium at the 109th Indianapolis 500, have drawn attention to his potential promotion. There are also reports suggesting that Malukas might already be under a Team Penske contract, possibly assigned to an AJ Foyt Racing entry to facilitate a smoother transition to the Penske stable.
Potential New Opportunity for Will Power at Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
Should Team Penske move forward with Malukas as Power’s successor, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) has shown interest in signing the experienced driver for the 2026 IndyCar season. Graham Rahal, a veteran driver and son of RLL co-owner Bobby Rahal, publicly shared his thoughts after Power’s recent victory at the Portland Grand Prix.
“I don’t know where Will goes. I don’t know what Will does. But all I can say is there’s not many guys better in this series than Will Power. If I were Team Penske, I don’t think I would let him go. But that’s just me.
He’s been better than his teammates the last couple of years. You can’t say any opposite of that. I think Scotty Mac in particular is as top-tier of a talent as there is in the world. For Will to do what he is doing is very impressive for an old man. Gives all of us hope.”
Leading into the Portland event, Rahal had described Power as a valuable asset for his team but refrained from confirming any active negotiations before Team Penske made an official announcement. Reports suggest that Power could potentially replace Devlin DeFrancesco at RLL if the team opts to invoke contractual clauses allowing DeFrancesco’s early exit from his multi-year deal.
Implications for IndyCar and Team Penske’s Future Lineup
The possible replacement of Will Power, a two-time IndyCar champion and the team’s highest-performing driver, by a less proven talent like David Malukas marks a pivotal moment for Team Penske. This decision may signal a strategic shift toward developing younger drivers, even if they have not yet secured race victories or poles.
For Power, a move to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing could extend his competitive career in IndyCar, offering him a fresh platform to maintain his presence in the series. Meanwhile, Team Penske’s commitment to evolving its roster could impact their competitive dynamics and significantly alter the landscape of IndyCar driver lineups heading into the 2026 season.