Even the Abu Dhabi Auto Racing League
Meyer Shank Racing has signed David Malukas to join the team starting at the end of this month, replacing Tom Blomqvist.
Malukas impressed in his first two seasons in IndyCar with Dale Coyne before joining McLaren in 2024, but broke his wrist after sustaining an injury on a mountain bike in pre-season.
He was expected to return for the third event of the year but the recovery timeline was pushed back and McLaren announced it would release him at the beginning of May, ahead of the Indy track race.
Blomqvist – known to Shank in the sports car scene, having won the IMSA sports car championship with the team in 2022 – raced in three races last season in place of the injured Simon Pagenaud and is given a full drive for 2024.
But a rocky start to the season – including a crash in the first corner on the first lap of the Indianapolis 500 – led to him being ruled out and replaced by Helio Castroneves at the previous race in Detroit and at this weekend’s Road America event.
Malukas will take over that seat for the rest of the season after that, starting at Laguna Seca on June 23.
“I am very grateful to [team co-owners] “Jim Mayer, Mike Shank and the entire Mayer Shank Racing team have the opportunity to finish the 2024 IndyCar season,” Malukas said.
“Despite the setbacks I experienced earlier this year, I have focused diligently on my recovery, putting in the necessary effort and dedication to get back to peak condition.
“I am ready and excited to get back in the car, and I aim to make the most of this opportunity and deliver a strong performance for the team and our supporters.
He added: “This opportunity means a lot to me, and I am determined to repay the trust you have shown in me by doing my best on the track.”
Mike Shank said “the whole process” – which would include the decision to ax Blomqvist – “has been very difficult” for him and fellow co-owner Mayer.
“There were a lot of things to take into account as we had to do everything we could to make up ground in the championship and put the leaders round.
“We are thrilled to have David Malukas join us as he has the experience and potential and we look forward to having him start with us in Milwaukee to test and then go racing with him at Laguna.”
The Milwaukee test mentioned by Shank will take place on June 11 where Malukas will drive Shank’s car for the first time.
The team competes with its other new signing Felix Rosenqvist, who has finished in the top 10 in all but one race this year (in the Indy 500, where his engine failed).
Malukas, coincidentally, would have been an effective McLaren replacement for Rosenqvist had he not been injured and subsequently released.
Advertisement Schank thanked Blomkvist “for his efforts” and added that he “remains part of the MSR family.”
The team is expected to return to sports car racing next year but will not participate in IMSA this season.
