Conor Daly’s big dream of getting to drive a Team Penske car didn’t happen as IndyCar medically cleared David Malukas to return to action in the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix at Nashville Superspeedway.
Malukas was evaluated by area doctors and was later cleared to return to action. But he had to prove to IndyCar that he can climb into, and out of his race car.
David Malukas Passes The Test
At 4:30 p.m. Central Time, Malukas walked out of the transporter in full uniform and was able to successfully climb in and out of the car without issue. He was inspected by a member of the INDYCAR Independent Officiating Body and Dr. Angie Fiege, INDYCAR Deputy Medical Director and appeared to have no trouble getting in and out of the car.
Once he was cleared, Malukas returned to the track in the backup No. 12 Chevrolet for Saturday’s final two-hours of practice.
It was the latest in a day-long saga that began with a hard crash into the Turn 2 wall during Saturday morning’s practice at Nashville Speedway.
It continued when veteran driver Conor Daly was set to fill in as the driver of the No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet for Team Penske while Malukas was being observed at a local hospital.
Why Conor Daly’s Dream Was Difficult For Many Reasons
Per IndyCar rules, however, Team Penske was informed that once a driver switch was made official, Malukas would not be allowed back in the car for the remainder of the weekend.
Team Penske did not make a qualification attempt on Saturday because the backup car was not finished in time for the 1:50 p.m. Central Time start of qualifications. Also, that entry was issued a nine grid-position penalty for an unapproved engine change, so that Team Penske entry will start 24th in the 25-car field. Graham Rahal also did not make a qualification attempt and he will start 25th.
Originally, Team Penske President Jonathan Diuguid wanted to use Daly’s qualification attempt as a “shakedown run” of the backup No. 12 Chevrolet before tonight’s extended final practice session.
“If the car is ready for qualifying, Conor is going to do a shakedown run for us and treat it as an install check,” Diuguid said at the time. “We already have a nine-place grid engine penalty for that car, so we are trying to get the car prepared. After we get through qualifying, if we are able to run, we will evaluate where David is for final practice. He is still being evaluated, and we are waiting for the outcome of that.
“We don’t like to give out any health information now, but he got out of the car on his own and walked along. He is being evaluated by doctors right now.”
Diuguid expected Malukas to return to the track from the hospital “after qualifying” but wasn’t certain if he would be cleared.
David Malukas Remained Team Penske’s Top Priority
Getting Malukas into the car was the team’s priority and once IndyCar officials said if the team switched to Daly, he would be the driver for the remainder of the weekend, Team Penske held off on making any decision in the hopes Malukas would be cleared to compete.
Once Malukas was cleared, Daly returned to his role as “spectator” at Nashville Superspeedway.
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