David Malukas spun loose in Turn 2 at Nashville Superspeedway, flipping half a lap before plunging into the SAFER barrier at an estimated 130‑140 mph, which ripped off his steering wheel and propelled his knee upward.
At the time of the crash the 34‑year‑old had recorded a 196.340‑mph flying lap, placing him in second on the session’s timesheet with roughly 40 minutes left in the one‑hour practice block. The impact forced the car’s controls offboard even though Malukas exited the vehicle on his own power.
Practice halted and extended for repairs
Track crews spent more than 20 minutes rebuilding the damaged portion of the SAFER barrier, while session officials added a ten‑minute extension to accommodate repairs.
A grid penalty compounds the challenge
Malukas has already been docked nine grid spots for an unapproved engine change, and it is still unclear whether he will need a backup car for the race. He finishes the weekend ranked fourth in the IndyCar Series standings and has topped the podium twice this season, at Phoenix Raceway and the Indianapolis 500.
With his safety compromised and a points penalty looming, Malukas faces a demanding race weekend as the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix approaches.
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