In 2016 and the early part of 2017, Malukas competed in the Formula 4 UAE Championship for Rasgaira Motorsports.[1] He did not contest the full season but still finished sixth in the championship.
Malukas would move to ADAC Formula 4 to compete for Motopark in 2017. There he would end up finishing nineteenth in the championship.
After competing part-time in the U.S. F2000 National Championship the previous year, Malukas would move up to the Pro Mazda Championship in 2018 again driving for BN Racing.[2] He would have an impressive season with three wins and six podiums to finish fourth in the championship.
Malukas was set to compete in the series in 2020,[4] however the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[5]
After 2020, Malukas returned to the series in 2021 once again with HMD Motorsports.[6] He would claim his maiden pole at the second race at Barber Motorsports Park and would go on to get his first win in the series.[7][8] Malukas would challenge rookie Kyle Kirkwood for the title all season but ultimately finished second in the standings behind Kirkwood. He would have his most impressive season in any category thus far with six poles, sixteen podiums and seven wins.[9]
On December 15, 2021, it was announced that Malukas would drive the No. 18 entry full-time for Dale Coyne Racing in partnership with HMD Motorsports during the 2022 IndyCar Series season.[10] At Mid-Ohio, he finished a career-best ninth in his first top-10 of the season.[11] At the next race in Toronto, Malukas made it into the Firestone Fast 6 for a second time that season and qualified a career-best fifth.[12] Malukas took his first podium at Gateway, nearly passing his idol Josef Newgarden for the win on the last lap but ultimately settling for second place.[13]
In 2023, Malukas' second campaign with Dale Coyne started off with a top-10 finish in the chaotic season opener in St. Petersburg, then saw him qualify 9th in the 2023_PPG_375 at Texas Motor Speedway, and finish 4th in a multi-car battle for the win. His promising start went a bit awry, when he managed only 2 top-20 results during the next 6 races in a row Following a last-place finish in the Sonsio Grand Prix at Road America, David shook off the bad luck by qualifying 12th and recording a 6th place finish. The next stop at Toronto would prove to be a let down, being credited with a 20th place after retiring due to contact. Malukas went on to the double-header at Iowa and recorded solid 12th and 8th place finishes. The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix at Nashville he qualified 6th, but suffered a mechanical failure, and was credited with a last-place finish. After a disappointing qualifying session, at the Gallagher Grand Prix, in Indianapolis, he moved up 7 positions to finish 16th. Returning to Gateway, the site of his breakout performance during the previous season, he came home in 3rd. At Portland, David qualified 24th, then worked his way forward to finish in 8th place. During the season finale in Laguna Seca, he survived a shunt, which left him stranded in a gravel trap, then returned to finish 20th.
Arrow McLaren (2024)
On September 8, 2023, Arrow McLaren announced Malukas had been signed to a multi-year contract as driver of the No. 6 entry, beginning in 2024.[14] However, on the second weekend of February, Malukas tore ligaments and dislocated left wrist in a mountain biking accident, and underwent hand surgery Tuesday, February 13. After missing four races, and with an unclear recovery timeline, he was released by the team on April 29, 2024.[15]
Meyer Shank (2024)
On June 7, 2024, it was announced that Malukas would be returning to IndyCar with Meyer Shank Racing, replacing Tom Blomqvist.[16] Starting at Laguna Seca, he competed in all remaining rounds of the 2024 season in the No. 66 car.[17]
A. J. Foyt Racing (2025)
On August 13, 2024, it was announced that Malukas signed a multi-year deal with A. J. Foyt Racing for the 2025 season and beyond.[18]
Personal life
Malukas' parents emigrated from Telšiai in 1991,[19] shortly after Lithuania regained independence from the Soviet Union, which had illegally annexed the country in 1940.[20] Malukas was born in Chicago, Illinois and is a United States citizen.[21] He has said in an interview that while also eligible for Lithuanian citizenship, he has not pursued it.[22] In addition to the American flag, Malukas marks his cars with the Lithuanian flag in honor of his ethnic heritage.[21]
In 2015, Malukas was one of the featured drivers in the Kart Life TV series, which provided a behind the scenes look into the world of young kart racers.[23]
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