Plainfield, IL (Monday, February 6, 2023) – Dale Coyne Racing drivers David Malukas (#18 Dale Coyne Racing with HMD Motorsports) and Sting Ray Robb (#51 Dale Coyne Racing with RWR) took part in their first official NTT INDYCAR SERIES open test of the season February 2nd and 3rd at the Thermal Club near Palm Springs, California.
With limited testing due to series rules, it was the first time David Malukas was back in his #18 Honda since closing out the season at Laguna Seca last September. The 21-year-old, who is entering his sophomore season with the team, completed 122 laps over the two-day test, placing 17th on the combined charts and 14th in the final test session on Friday.
“The two-days at Thermal Club were fantastic. It was great preparation to get back into it and back into the car. From a car standpoint, it was nice to get back behind the wheel, it had been a while so I was having nightmares that I might not remember how to drive it! But it felt like I never left. We connected with the new people that joined the team and that was really good. It was a great venue to test at, the view driving into Turn 1 with the mountains in the background and the palm trees. I can’t wait until the first race in St. Petersburg and hopefully we can carry this momentum into the first race.”
After taking part in a one-day test with the team in early January, Sting Ray Robb made his first official NTT INDYCAR SERIES outing at the Thermal Club Open Test. Like his teammate, he also completed 122 laps over the two days. The rookie finished the final test session on Friday in 23rd place, having closed the gap to the cars ahead of him as he gained experience with each session.
“What a day! I am feeling it! My neck is done. It was good to knock the rust off and get back in the car. We worked really well with the team. Overall, I’m happy with where we ended the day and what we’ve learned and how we progressed over the two-days. We collected some important data and we’re going to keep working and do some more pit stop practice at the shop between now and St. Petersburg. I can’t wait to take part in my first NTT INDYCAR SERIES race in less than a month!”
The 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season kicks off on the Streets of St. Petersburg March 3 to 5, 2023.
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