After a five-month hiatus, 25 INDYCAR drivers had a chance to remove their off-season rust with a day and a half of testing at the Phoenix Raceway one-mile oval, located about a 30-minute drive west of downtown.
Teams work on different aspects of car set-up so you never know who is going for all-out speed. David Malukas was fastest on February 17 (172.605 mph) and Alexander Rossi topped the charts in the following day’s session (174.444 mph). The fastest rookie was Mick Schumacher at 171.096 mph, which ranked 16th overall. Twenty-four of the 25 drivers did a lap within a single second of each other.
INDYCAR Returns to Phoenix
INDYCAR held a two-day open test at Phoenix Raceway in preparation for the first oval race of the season on Saturday, March 7, as part of a double-header weekend with NASCAR. The Arizona race follows the season opener on the temporary airport circuit at St. Petersburg, FL on Sunday, March 1.
Phoenix, the Indianapolis of the West, was built in 1964, specifically for Indy type cars. There have been 64 previous winners due to two races held most seasons, including Canadian Scott Goodyear’s win in 1999. Cited for a lack of attendance, INDYCAR took a hiatus from 2006 to 2015. They then returned for only three events, the most recent winner being Josef Newgarden in 2018.
Afterwards, the track was redesigned and repaved, flipping the front straightaway for the backstretch to create expanded grandstands facing east, to be out of the hot desert sun. Turns 1 and 2 (the old Turns 3 & 4) are banked at 8 to 9 degrees and Turns 3 & 4 are banked at 11 degrees. The Indy cars are at least 40 mph faster than NASCAR’s stock cars and run a different line.
“Phoenix is very fast,” explained David Malukas, replacing Will Power at Team Penske in the No. 12 car. “When you are going through (Turns) One and Two, we are on the limit. We are always trying to figure out that difference between One and Two versus Three and Four. You have a short time frame that, once you come out of Turn Two, it’s very high speed. Three and Four, you’re having a bigger lift going through that section, so it’s a completely different car set because you’re at such a lower speed.
“In that short time frame (21 to 22 seconds a lap),” continued Malukas, “with the weight jacker and the tools that you have in the car, how quickly can I change it – is it going to need two clicks to make sure you can go in there and have a good lap? Then you come out of Three and Four – what’s it going to do going back to Turn One? Do I go back all the way, or are the tires degging? It’s always the game the drivers are trying to play.
“Every lap you’re changing, changing, changing,” described Malukas, about how busy the driver is and the quick decision making required each lap. ”You can set up for (Turns) One and Two or set up for Three and Four and try to match the difference. Or, you can try to fight for something in between. Do you want to find more time in One and Two or find more time in Three and Four? Or, maybe try to go in between and be a little bit slower in both? It’s like a big game of chess trying to figure out where we want the set-up.”
Firestone Develops Special Tire
Returning to the Phoenix oval created a new challenge as the DW12 chassis gained 150 lbs. from the added aeroscreen and hybrid system since the last INDYCAR race there in 2018. This places a 20% load increase on the right-front tire, which heats up quickly as the car is constantly turning. Firestone created an almost one inch wider right-front tire to increase the lateral grip and allow the car to turn better.
“It’s actually what we need at some of these ovals,” said Alex Palou, who ranked third-fastest overall at the test. “Scott (Dixon) and (Alexander) Rossi tested here last year, and they went through different tires to see what was best. The larger right-front was better for following cars and the racing. Getting more grip from the tire itself will allow us to go in the second lane when it’s not so grippy.”
As suggested by Will Power, to improve the racing and allow for passing on short ovals (where NASCAR uses a different rubber and often has a special coating for grip that’s incompatible with the open-wheel cars), drivers will have a second lane rubbering-in session prior to the race.
“We need a second lane,” explained Power, after his Phoenix test. “We were trying to run in traffic but it was very thin traffic. I’m really worried that, if we don’t have a second lane, no one will be able to pass. It’s the only way we will put on a good show.
“I’m getting real comfortable in the car,” continued Power, about his move to Andretti Global. ”I’m going through different processes. I’m starting to feel really at home. Every race, I will get better and better.”
Drivers need to use the second lane during the race to keep the marbles off the tires from building up. For the last couple seasons, officials have scheduled a rubbering-in session on the short ovals, usually in two groups for 15 minutes each, with extra tires allotted so that grip is built up, giving drivers the confidence to use the second, higher lane.
“It’s going to be a lot better than we thought to race,” said Palou optimistically. “The second lane will be useable and we’ll have a lot of overtaking spots. But we won’t really know until we race here.”
Malukas Puts Penske at Top of Speed Charts
After the first day of testing at Phoenix, David Malukas set the fastest lap of 172.605 mph, edging out his Penske teammate, Josef Newgarden, by 0.584 mph. Malukas was only 0.899 mph faster than the former driver of the No. 12 Chevy, Will Power, now driving for Andretti Global in the No. 26 Honda (replacing Colton Herta, who moved to F2). Andretti teammate Kyle Kirkwood paced fourth-fastest (171.423 mph), followed by Alex Palou in fifth (171.357 mph).
“I’m feeling great,” said Malukas, who is elated about driving for Team Penske after starting his INDYCAR career with Dale Coyne in 2022, losing his ride at Arrow McLaren due to a pre-season wrist injury in 2024, and landing at AJ Foyt Racing last year. “This is the best I’ve felt in a very long time. The chemistry I have with the guys, the team, I’m just so happy. This is the best environment I’ve truly been in. It’s amazing. Everybody is just working 110% in their sector, and it’s all combining together to what is the Team Penske car. Every time I come in and out of the pits, I’m smiling and it adds to the performance.
“Our driving (style) is very similar with each other, so no matter what changes that Josef (or Scott McLaughlin) might do, or I might do, we’ll all be able to know that I can trust it if he’s made that change,” continued Malukas, about comparing and sharing data with limited track time. “I know that if it’s good for him, it’s going to be good for me.”
Engine Manufacturers Renew Supply Contract with INDYCAR
With the engine supply contracts with manufacturers Chevrolet and Honda ending after the 2026 season, there was concern if both would renew. The new lighter-weight Dallara chassis will be implemented in 2028, along with a 2.4-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 hybrid engine. Both engine manufacturers have agreed to continue under a multi-year contract, supplying the current 2.2 L V6 engine for 2027. Sweetening and securing the deal is that each manufacturer receives one charter that will allow them a guaranteed grid spot for their works entry.
“This is a monumental day for INDYCAR, fueled by a massive and historic commitment from two of our best and most trusted partners,” said Doug Boles, INDYCAR President. “Chevrolet and Honda have worked tirelessly with us over the last 12 months to get to this point, and both have made it very clear that they are fully committed to this sport and invested in continuing the positive momentum the series generated in 2025.”
The two manufacturers also commented on the new contract.
“Chevrolet has enjoyed a long, successful relationship with INDYCAR as an engine manufacturer, and this extension paves the way for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES to continue to grow and for us to further maximize technology transfer from race to road,” said General Motors President Mark Reuss. “The addition of a charter allows Chevrolet to join with other stakeholders to continue to make the series even stronger. INDYCAR produces consistently exciting racing on road and street courses, as well as ovals, and we look forward to building on our INDYCAR legacy and put on a great show for our loyal Chevrolet fans.”
“To our esteemed Honda fans, customers and associates, we are thrilled to announce our ongoing participation in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES,” said Honda Racing Corporation USA President David Salters. “With a deep respect for the history and competitive spirit of INDYCAR racing, we are proud to continue our involvement after more than 30 years. This long-standing commitment strengthens our ability to allow us to further develop our people and technology at the pinnacle of open-wheel racing in North America.”
Schumacher Not a Rookie
Mick Schumacher, the 26-year-old son of seven-time F1 champion Michael Schumacher, competed in 44 F1 races between 2021 and 2022. He then joined the FIA World Endurance championship, competing in 16 events during 2024 and 2025, while serving as a F1 reserve driver. The German now returns to open-wheel in the INDYCAR series, driving the No. 47 Dallara Honda for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.
“Obviously, I’ve been racing so long now and been called a rookie before,” explained Schumacher, who had his first oval test at Homestead-Miami. “I don’t like it. This year, I’m not taking it as a rookie year as I don’t want to allow myself to make rookie mistakes. I want to take it as a proper championship approach.
“The main difference is that I’m just turning left now,” continued Schumacher, adjusting to the pad in the car that helps support his helmet to combat the oval G forces. “The way my body sits in the seat is a bit different. The biggest challenge for me is to relax in the car. I don’t normally run a pad in the car. I need to have a consistent feel throughout the whole race. I’m used to the car to feel a certain way. It’s a very awkward feeling that I have to relax. I just have to learn to be consistent, relax, and drive a proper oval.
“When we return for the Phoenix race, we will have to adapt to those conditions,” added Schumacher. “I have to build up my knowledge base on what you can change and what those affects do on track. I’m still getting used to the weight jacker and how many damper options we have. INDYCAR is all about the dampers.”