At the very least, Arrow McLaren will need to recruit a replacement driver for the opening race of the 2024 IndyCar season due to the injury suffered by David Malukas.
After switching from Dale Coyne Racing with HMD Motorsports to Arrow McLaren to drive the No. 6 Chevrolet for Meyer Shank Racing in the 2024 IndyCar season, David Malukas sustained injuries in a mountain bike accident over the weekend.
Earlier this week, Malukas had successful surgery to repair the damaged ligaments in his dislocated left wrist. His stitches are scheduled to be taken out on Thursday, February 22. It is anticipated that he would require six weeks to recuperate at that point.
In less than three weeks, on Sunday, March 10, 2024, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding is set to kick off the 2024 IndyCar season on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida.
For at least one race, Arrow McLaren will need to locate a replacement driver for the No. 6 Chevrolet.
The fact that Malukas should only miss one points race is a plus, even though the lengthy interval between the season’s first and second races has been a source of discontent in prior years.
The Thermal Club $1 Million Challenge, which is set to take place at Thermal Club on Sunday, March 24, is the only other race that does not have a six-week timetable. This is a race without points.
The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, the second points event of the 17-race season, is scheduled for Sunday, April 21, on the streets of Long Beach, California. This is about two months after Malukas’ stitches are expected to come out. It is now anticipated that he will compete in this event for Arrow McLaren for the first time.
Malukas finished in 16th and 17th position in the championship standings during his first two seasons in IndyCar driving the No. 18 Honda. He also achieved two podium places, both at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway. He finished in the top 10 six times last year, more than doubling his total from his rookie campaign, while dropping one spot in the rankings.
The other two full-time drivers for Arrow McLaren are Pato O’Ward and Alexander Rossi. Since 2020, O’Ward has been driving the No. 5 Chevrolet, and as of last year, Rossi has been operating the No. 7 Chevrolet.
