Malukas struggles with tears: Closest Indy 500 defeat in history

– It was the bitter millimeter decision at the 110th Indianapolis 500: David Malukas had only the checkered flag in sight when leaving turn 4. But in the last meters, he could no longer fend off the spectacular attack from Felix Rosenqvist.

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In the end, Malukas was on the wrong side of the closest finish the legendary oval race has ever seen. A mere 0.0233 seconds. A fifth of a blink of an eye. (The race in chronology)

The 24-year-old had taken the lead right at the start of the final one-lap shootout from Marcus Armstrong. While Armstrong and Rosenqvist battled for second place behind him, the race seemed already decided for Malukas. But Rosenqvist shot past his teammate, drafted in his slipstream, and broke Malukas’ heart at the finish line.

Already last year, Malukas had finished second for A.J. Foyt Racing. Back then, it was a sensation. This year’s second place in the top team Penske hurt much more and brought the US-American with Lithuanian roots to tears. The crowd responded to his shaky words with roaring applause.

“Yes, it’s just disappointing,” said Malukas. “I just don’t know what we could have done differently. We drove 150 percent the entire race. I almost threw the damn car away every lap. The guys did a fantastic job. We had the fastest car out there. We had the win in our hands, and I knew it.”

“I’ve never pushed so hard in my entire life. That it ends like this – I can’t believe it. All season long, and even before, I’ve been collecting second places. But we just can’t quite get to the front. I don’t know how much closer you can get. Now we’re also second in the championship. Great, so many second places.”

FOX expert Danica Patrick says about Malukas: “I don’t know what he could have done differently. He had an incredible run through turns 1 and 2. He had a lead on the back straight. And then they could close in on him so quickly. And this time it was like: When you’re leading, you’re already at a disadvantage. We’ve seen so many lead changes. But that’s why we love this sport, for the emotions. That’s why we come here.”

Career of Roger Penske saved

Malukas recalls his difficult path to this moment – especially his wrist injury in 2024, which caused him to lose his cockpit at McLaren before he had even competed in a single race. Even then, tears came to his eyes at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as he watched the race as a spectator.

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“Although I’m still young, I’ve been with many teams. But after everything in 2024, no one is like Team Penske,” explains Malukas. “Everyone here is so close, it really feels like a family. Roger Penske was one of the first to come to me after all that and tell me he believes in me.”

“Only because of him can I sit here today and cry about finishing second. That’s why it’s so emotional for me. I really wanted to get this win for the team and make it into the history books. Everything happens for a reason. We will use this as motivation and keep pushing. One day it will work.”

After the first big pain, watching the replay brought the Penske driver at least a little peace.

“He just had so much surplus,” admits Malukas. “I couldn’t have done anything differently. I wondered if I should have done something differently with the hybrid deployment.” His teammate Scott McLaughlin chimes in here: “No way, buddy.”

Malukas, still fighting back tears, agrees: “There was just nothing to be done. It felt extremely tight in the car. But I didn’t know he had such a massive surplus.”

“When I saw the replay, I actually felt better. It became clear to me: I might have been able to shorten it by a few thousandths, no more. Those were probably the gods of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway telling me that my time just isn’t ripe yet.”

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