Conor Daly Steps In for David Malukas at Nashville

Turn 2 Crash Sends Malukas to Hospital

David Malukas spun into Turn 2 at Nashville Superspeedway on Saturday morning, causing the rear of the No. 12 Chevrolet to slam into the wall. The impact sent the steering wheel into his leg before it flew out of the car. Malukas was treated on‑site by IndyCar’s infield medical units for about an hour before being transported to a hospital via a private vehicle. Team Penske President Jonathan Diuguid confirmed that Malukas has not been cleared to race within an hour of qualifying’s start.

Team Penske Names Daly for Qualifying

With Malukas’s status uncertain, Team Penske appointed Conor Daly as his temporary replacement for Saturday’s qualifying session at the Music City Grand Prix. The decision hinges on the team being able to repair the car and Daly fitting correctly into Malukas’s cockpit. Diuguid stated that after qualifying the team will “re‑evaluate where David’s at” for the two night practice sessions slated to begin at 6 p.m. Should Daly qualify, the No. 12 entry will carry a nine‑spot grid penalty.

Daly’s Eligibility and Grid Penalty

Daly competes under a waiver because he raced at the Indianapolis 500 with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, so he can drive an oval without additional refresher laps. The nine‑spot grid penalty stems from surpassing IndyCar’s season‑long limit of four approved engines. Team Penske’s lineup for the rest of the weekend will depend on whether Malukas recovers enough to return for the night practice sessions. The penalty puts Daly at the back of the field if he manages to qualify.

What Happens Next for the No. 12 Chevrolet

Following qualifying, the team will decide whether Malukas can participate in the two night practice sessions scheduled for 6 p.m. It’s unclear how long Malukas’s hospital stay will last or if he’ll be cleared to race. The team remains focused on repairing the car and ensuring Daly’s seat fit before any further action. Fans can expect the No. 12 to start near the rear of the grid if Daly advances through qualifying, adding a strategic challenge for the Penske squad.