‘Big wobble’ ends in wreck that leaves Malukas at the back for Detroit GP

David Malukas mollywhopped the walls at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix during qualifying on Saturday, and while the Indianapolis 500 runner-up was uninjured in the meeting with the barriers, his No. 12 Team Penske Chevy was not as fortunate.

The Detroit GP marks the third time in a span of six races where Team Penske will need to build a new car for one of its drivers to continue in the event. It started in March at the Arlington Grand Prix where a seemingly harmless impact by Josef Newgarden forced the crew to ready a new No. 2 Chevy when the chassis was punctured by his front wing. Newgarden went on to finish 15th in the race.

Scott McLaughlin got wide on approach to Barber Motorsports Park’s Turn 1 and flew across the runoff area and backed the No. 3 into and through the barriers. His crew assembled a replacement No. 3 Chevy which was driven to 16th in the race, and now, with Malukas completing the trifecta among Penske drivers, he’ll have another No. 12 Chevy to pilot when the action resumes Sunday morning during the pre-race warmup session.

“All good,” Malukas said of his physical condition. “It's just, fine margins, and, honestly, our car wasn't where we wanted it to be. In both practice sessions, we're just missing that little bit. I just drove just that little bit harder and, it was pushing the limit on all corners of the track I almost hit the wall many laps earlier, many corners earlier, and then on that one, I just had one big wobble on entry.”

Malukas entered Detroit holding second in the Drivers’ championship and will start 25th and last while championship leader Alex Palou starts on pole position.

“I just had to keep the foot planted because we needed that extra time to make the transfer and probably should have let go,” Malukas added. “I probably should have just gave up not making the transfer, and then just kept the car in one piece. That one is all on me.”