Racing never stands still, and that means tough goodbyes come with the territory, even for the tightest teams. Just look at Trackhouse Racing and Daniel Suarez wrapping up five solid years together back in July, a split that caught folks off guard after all those shared miles. These moments remind everyone in the garage how quickly paths can diverge, especially when fresh opportunities knock. Yet they pave the way for new energy to roll in.

That hits close to home with Team Penske lately, where owner Roger Penske just cut ties with a cornerstone driver after 17 loyal years. Will Power climbed aboard in 2009 with the No. 3 Honda, sliding into the No. 12 Chevy by 2010, racking up 43 wins, two championships in 2014 and 2022, and 300+ starts that built a dynasty. Though handing off those massive shoes won’t be simple, Penske’s sharp eye for rising stars keeps the team charging ahead. And the real story unfolds in who steps up next and what sparked this big shift.

David Malukas takes the wheel in Power’s No. 12

Team Penske dropped the news on their X account Thursday, welcoming David Malukas to the fold with a slick graphic of the 23-year-old Chicago native suited up in Verizon blue. The multiyear deal locks him into the No. 12 Chevrolet for 2026 and beyond, straight-up replacing Power just two weeks after his exit hit the wires on September 2. It’s a bold handoff for a car that’s become synonymous with ovals and street courses alike, one that Power turned into a two-time title machine and Indy 500 crown jewel in 2018.

Welcome to the team, @malukasdavid. pic.twitter.com/eepPJpmSui

— Team Penske (@Team_Penske) September 18, 2025

Penske didn’t mince words on why Malukas fits the bill, saying in the official release, “We are excited to add David Malukas as the next driver of the No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet. We feel that Team Penske will provide David everything needed to take the next step in his career, and we are confident that he will continue the great legacy of the Verizon Chevrolet.” Coming from the guy who owns the series through Penske Entertainment, that carries real weight, especially after Power’s 17-year run delivered those 43 checkered flags and pole records.

Malukas, a first-gen Lithuanian American who cut his teeth karting in 2013 before dominating INDY NXT with seven wins and a series-record 16 podiums in 2021, brings that same hunger. His IndyCar jump in 2022 netted five top-fives and 16 top-10s over 61 starts, including a fastest lap at the 2022 Indy 500 and a runner-up push there in 2025 that landed him 11th in points running for A. J. Foyt Racing.

Malukas owns the moment too, telling reporters, “Racing for Team Penske is the goal for every young racecar driver, and I am honored to be one that gets to live out that dream. Will Power is one of the legends of our sport, and the No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet is one of the most-recognized cars on the grid. These are big shoes to fill, but I look at it as an opportunity because I know that it is one of the best teams in the paddock.”

He’s no stranger to pressure, having climbed from a Road America spectator, watching Dad Henry race, to NXT Rookie of the Year in 2019, then proving his oval chops with that near-miss at Indy this year. The move caps a smooth arc since he landed with Penske-allied A.J. Foyt for 2025, three podiums deep, including that IMS stunner.

As for Power’s side, no deep dive on the split surfaced beyond the mutual nod to his non-return, but it clears space for this youth infusion without burning bridges. So, with Power eyeing horizons and Malukas revving up, the 2026 grid just got a whole lot spicier.

Power lands at Andretti for fresh battles

Andretti Global wasted no time filling their gap, inking Will Power for the No. 26 Honda in 2026 right after his Penske farewell, announced September 3. He’ll slot in alongside Kyle Kirkwood and Marcus Ericsson, swapping spots with Colton Herta, who’s heading to test duties for the Cadillac F1 squad. At 44, Power packs 45 wins, fourth all-time; 71 poles, which is the series benchmark; and over 5,000 laps led across 300-plus starts, a haul that screams veteran smarts for a team chasing consistency.

Power lit up about the switch, sharing in the release, “I just want to say how excited I am to be joining Andretti Global. I can’t thank Dan [Towriss], Jill [Gregory], and the team enough for this opportunity. Colton is someone that I’ve been massively impressed with for a while. He has a lot of natural ability, and I think he’s going to do a great job over in Europe. I’m excited to watch him and will work to step in and do everyone on the 26 team proud.”

It’s a clean break from Penske’s Chevy era to Honda power, where he’s tangled hard before; think of those heated duels that lit up restarts. Andretti president Jill Gregory backed the fit, noting, “We couldn’t think of a better driver than Will Power to fill Colton’s shoes here at Andretti and take the wheel of the No. 26 Honda. Will is a fierce competitor whose record speaks for itself. Additionally, he’s a great personality, and we feel he’ll be a strong fit for the team culturally as well.” Herta‘s five-win tenure since 2020 set a high bar, but Power’s podium tally, 108 strong, promises firepower.

He doubled down on the buzz, adding, “I’m really looking forward to meeting all the Andretti team and getting to work in 2026… This is a whole new chapter for me. I have to say that sometimes a change of scenery and a fresh start is very energizing. I can’t wait.” Those words capture the lift after 17 Penske years, where he stacked 108 podiums but chased that elusive third title. Now, with Andretti’s engineering edge and Honda’s grunt, expect him to mix it up front, turning old rivals into allies for potential title runs.