David Malukas is quickly finding his stride with AJ Foyt Racing after suffering through an unexpected career detour during the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.

Just 10 races into his tenure with the team owned by legendary four-time Indianapolis 500 winner A.J. Foyt, Malukas sits 12th in points, only nine shy of teammate Santino Ferrucci, who holds 10th.

Malukas’ path to AJ Foyt Racing wasn’t smooth. Following his first two years in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES with Dale Coyne Racing, a preseason wrist injury suffered in a mountain bike accident in February 2024 sidelined him for the first four races and then cost him his new seat at Arrow McLaren.

But a midseason chance with Meyer Shank Racing reignited his career, leading to two top-10 finishes and his current role driving the No. 4 Clarience Technologies Chevrolet at Foyt.

“I’m just happy with the positive progression,” Malukas said. “We’ve just been on a really good trajectory.”

Initially this season, Malukas raced with setups designed for Ferrucci. The results were modest: a best finish of 13th at the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding, an average finish of 17.4, an average qualifying effort of 17.0 and 19th in the standings.

Then came the shift.

Ahead of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge in May, engineers began customizing the No. 4 Chevrolet to Malukas’ style. The change was immediate. His average finish over the next five races improved to 10.4, and his average starting position climbed to 6.8.

“We finally can say: ‘OK, this is David's setup. We can build off of that foundation,’” Malukas said. “The car has been in a very good spot for us. We're making a car that's built all around. That's what you need to have good performances here in INDYCAR. I think we're starting to show things from that direction, and I'm just very excited to be a part of it.”

Malukas’ development comes as AJ Foyt Racing seeks its first win since Takuma Sato triumphed in the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach in 2013 – and it could come this weekend.

The doubleheader at Iowa Speedway presents one of the best chances yet for Malukas to break into victory lane for the first time in his NTT INDYCAR SERIES career.

Saturday’s Synk 275 powered by Sukup (5 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio Network) and Sunday’s Farm to Finish 275 powered by Sukup (1 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio Network) are Malukas’ 55th and 56th career start, and his career-best finish of second came on ovals – this May at Indianapolis and in 2022 at World Wide Technology Raceway.

Plus, there is something about a blossoming young star and the 55th start in recent INDYCAR SERIES history. Josef Newgarden earned his first career win in his 55th start back in 2015 at Barber Motorsports Park while driving for CFH Racing.

Prior to that maiden victory, Newgarden had two runner-up finishes, six top-five results and 16 top 10s. Malukas has similar stats through 54 starts: two runner-up results, four top fives and 13 top 10s.

“We'll see,” Malukas said of his chances this weekend at Iowa. “Winning in INDYCAR, especially the time that we're at now, I think the level of drivers it's at an all-time high. They're just performing at an all-time peak.

“It’s very tough. Things need to go your way. You need to have luck. You need to be at your ultimate performance to really get that win.”

Newgarden has gone on to two Indianapolis 500 victories, a pair of championships and 31 career wins. He was 24 years old at the time of his first victory and two seasons later joined Team Penske.

Many people forget Malukas is just 23.

Is he following in Newgarden’s footsteps with rumors swirling about a future seat at Team Penske, with which AJ Foyt Racing has a technical alliance? Malukas is choosing to stay grounded.

"Well, I guess no matter the rumors or no rumors, I think everybody is trying to strive to always live in the present instead of stressing about the past and the future,” Malukas said. “I've always gone about that no matter what the situation may be. I've had a mental coach training me to always stay and live in the present, and as of right now, I'm with the AJ Foyt team, and we're focused on our successes and what we've accomplished so far this season, and there's a lot more coming and a lot more results that's going to be here very soon.

“We're learning so much every single race. We're taking it a step at a time, but we're always going on an upward trajectory."

The numbers – and the trends – suggest something special is building with Malukas and AJ Foyt Racing. He led a race-high 67 laps in the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline on June 15 at the World Wide Technology Raceway short oval and has a pair of eighth-place finishes at Iowa.

Short ovals, he said, fit his mindset. Whether a victory comes at Iowa or not, Malukas is proving his place in the INDYCAR paddock.

“It’s always been like a game of chess,” Malukas said. “When do you want to attack, when do you want to be defending? I think with Iowa always being more of an enticement of trying to push and make these runs, I think it can prefer a little bit more of my driving style of not taking the attack initially, playing a little bit more safe and letting the guys ahead waste their tire life and attack later on. That could come into play when it comes to Iowa.”