David Malukas was left disappointed after he crashed out of the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at Gateway, following a tangle with Will Power.
The American found himself in the wall after Power left little space on the inside of turn one, crushing his chances of a maiden IndyCar win with 21 laps to go.
At the time he was in the battle for the win, with two cars ahead yet to make their final stops of the race.
It was a statement performance from Malukas, just days after signing a long-term deal with AJ Foyt Enterprises for the upcoming seasons.
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David Malukas blames Will Power for crashing out of Gateway race
It has been a topsy-turvy season for Malukas, who was dropped from McLaren’s line-up after sustaining a broken wrist in a mountain biking accident.
Since returning from the injury and signing to race for Meyer Shank Racing, he has been competitive and impressive behind the wheel.
Speaking about the incident on Frontstretch Open Wheel‘s YouTube after the race, he said: “I went down the inside, we were side-by-side, it wasn’t like I was halfway through. He just didn’t give me enough room. He tapped me, I’m right on the white line, there’s nothing else I can do.
“We’re talking about Will Power, he’s called me an idiot. I mean I’m down the inside, you have a second lane, I don’t understand how I’m the idiot.
“I wouldn’t have changed anything differently, it was a good move, I had the run, timed it well, I wouldn’t change anything.
“He always gets excited after any sort of incident, I saw that he got his karma there. I’ll talk to him, I’m normally good friends with him, so normally stuff like this doesn’t really affect me too much. It’s racing, things happen.”
Bad timing or a flash of brilliance from Malukas?
The Gateway race was his opportunity to take a first IndyCar victory after qualifying an impressive third place.
He even led 11 laps – the fourth most of any driver, and showed great composure behind the wheel throughout the many cautions and incidents.
When race leader Josef Newgarden spun, the door was opened for him to battle it out with championship contender Power for victory.
But, it all alluded him his American rival slammed the door on him, sending him into the Turn 1 barriers at high speed.
His next chance for redemption comes at the Grand Prix of Portland, just a week away, as IndyCar visits its last non-oval circuit of the year.