A critical engine sensor glitch during the final restart at the Milwaukee Mile turned a Team Penske victory into a second‑place finish for driver David Malukas, prompting a sharp statement from the Chevrolet power unit.
Chevrolet Engine Glitch at Milwaukee Mile
In the 19‑lap sprint to the race end, a sensor fault triggered a plenum event in the twin‑turbo 2.2‑L V6, forcing a sudden loss of power that allowed Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward to seize the lead on the last lap.
Malukas, then 24, expressed frustration on IndyCar Radio, accusing Chevy of “letting us down” and noting that the sensor issue caused his car to stall while attempting the final upshift.
Malukas Issues Apology
After a brief social‑media backlash, Malukas posted a brief apology, calling his earlier comments “childish” and “frustration‑driven,” and thanked Chevrolet for their support throughout the season.
Chevrolet Responds
Chevrolet issued a statement to Motorsport.com, confirming that an engine‑sensor malfunction had triggered the plenum event, acknowledging the impact on the driver’s performance and underscoring the high‑risk, high‑reward nature of the twin‑turbo system.
The company pledged to apply lessons from the Milwaukee incident to the upcoming Laguna Seca finale, while noting the team’s continued push for performance within regulated limits.
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