Qualifying Report: Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix

DETROIT (May 31, 2025) -- The magic from the Indy 500 continues to the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix for the AJ Foyt Racing team. David Malukas qualified second in the No. 4 Clarience Technologies Chevrolet Saturday afternoon on the bumpy, 1.645-mile temporary street course in downtown Detroit.

The 23-year-old Chicagoan will start alongside pole winner Colton Herta when the green flag flies tomorrow afternoon to start the 100-lap race around the 9-turn street course.

“We’re starting off where we finished [at Indy] in that P2 spot," Malukas said. "Really good session. As soon as we unloaded the car in Detroit, we knew we had a good car. I’ve been really happy. Having that whole month, being with the guys, and understanding what we want, having Clarience Technologies on board with us, they’re ecstatic. I think the mood is really lifted up on us and I think we can see this momentum carrying. What a good car, what a good group of guys here. We’re on a good run here. We’re a little bit butt hurt, because I think we had a car to compete with Herta’s time. We just made a few tweaks. First time back in the Fast Six for a while. Very happy run.”

Malukas cinches up helmet before posting his best qualifying run of the season--to date.

Malukas tied his career best qualifying on oval tracks -- scoring second at World Wide Technology Raceway and the Milwaukee Mile last year. Prior to those runs, his best qualification on a road or street course came at Mid-Ohio last July in just his second race back after sustaining a wrist injury in a mountain-biking accident in the winter of '23.

Malukas underwent an additional surgery in the past off-season to gain more range of motion which he thinks played a part in their slow start. That and getting to know a whole new crew and also learn about driving the Chevy engine after spending most of his NTT INDYCAR Series career driving with Honda power-plants.

"I had another surgery at the end of last season to clean up some scar tissue and get more movement out of it," Malukas revealed, adding, "so obviously going back into the car, no matter what PT or training I can do, nothing is like the real deal, and the hand kind of got a little bit beat up on those first few races. But it's at a good state now where there's no more pain, and it's pretty much at the maximum it will be. I obviously have a little bit of movement that's never really going to come back. But we've done a good job with moving things around in the car and kind of getting things to what I like, and I had to change my driving a little bit, and things are good now."

It was in Detroit that Malukas qualified in his first Firestone Fast Six as a rookie at the Belle Isle course in 2022.

"That was kind of the first big transition for me--knowing that I actually had a strong opportunity to be quick and get good results here in IndyCar. So, Detroit was my turnaround race track." Malukas said.

Someone disappointed with the results here today was Santino Ferrucci, who turned 27 today. Driving the No. 14 Sexton Properties Chevrolet, Ferrucci said he made a mistake in his qualification run which was easy to do given the track temperatures today where they barely climbed out of the 60s.

“Obviously not happy with myself in qualifying, made just a couple mistakes," Ferruci said. "Still trying to figure out a really, really, solid balance. but you know, we’re definitely getting closer on it. Should have qualified a little bit better than we did, but it’s a long race tomorrow; we’ll be fine.”

The Passmaster will have his work cut out for him as he will start 21st in the 27-car field. Lining up behind Herta and Malukas are Kyle Kirkwood, Christian Lundgaard, Graham Rahal and Alex Palou.

The final warmup will be broadcast on FS1 starting at 9:30 am ET. The Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix will be broadcast on FOX starting at 12:30 p.m. ET.

Santino and team celebrate his 27th birthday with a cake at the track. But he is headed to his favorite steakhouse tonight -- Prime + Proper!