Overview
- About 20 minutes into opening practice, Malukas lost control in Turn 2 and backed heavily into the outside SAFER Barrier, which required more than 20 minutes of repairs and a practice extension.
- The AMR safety team assisted him from the car and he walked to the ambulance before being taken to a local hospital for further checks.
- Medical examinations showed no broken bones or torn structures, IndyCar medical staff cleared Malukas to return to the No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet, and he rejoined evening practice sessions.
- Team Penske missed qualifying while Malukas was evaluated and the entry received a nine‑spot grid penalty for unapproved changes, placing the car at 25th on the grid.
- The barrier damage interrupted track operations and starting deep in the field on Nashville’s 1.33‑mile oval will force Team Penske to focus on race strategy and on‑track recovery for Malukas.