WASHINGTON – The first wreck of IndyCar’s Freedom 250 Grand Prix saw championship contender David Malukas taken out of the race. Malukas slammed his No. 12 Team Penske Chevrolet into the outside wall of Turn 7 of the new Washington, D.C., street course.
Malukas, who is third in IndyCar’s championship, was the first car to pit without a mechanical failure, as he was running 18th when the crash occurred. Sting Ray Robb’s No. 77 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet couldn’t avoid the incident and was collected by Malukas. Malukas said the “mental aspect” of racing has eluded him as of late, contributing to the crash,
“I’ve been a bad run of form, and I just got to figure out what’s been going on,” he said after exiting the medical unit. “So next few days here until Milwaukee, I’m going to be working on myself and figure out how to get myself back on, you know, the proper form that I’ve been on in the beginning of the season.”
Malukas’ championship push is likely over following the crash. Alex Palou, who had to serve a drive-through penalty after making contact with Mick Schumacher’s pit equipment, can seal the championship with a win today and poor finishes by Malukas, Kyle Kirkwood, Christian Lundgaard and Pato O’Ward.
Zion Brown is IndyStar’s motorsports reporter. Follow him at @z10nbr0wn. Get IndyStar’s motor sports coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Motor Sports newsletter. Subscribe to the YouTube channel IndyStar TV: IndyCar for a behind-the-scenes look at IndyCar and expert analysis.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: David Malukas, third in IndyCar standings, out of Freedom 250 due to crash
Reporting by Zion Brown, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Zion Brown, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
