Malukas was in position to win at Milwaukee but lost control when his car briefly hesitated on the final restart, allowing Pato O'Ward to take the lead. O'Ward went on to sweep both Sunday races while Chevrolet cars dominated the final event, finishing in positions 1 through 7. catcross.biz
The result marked Malukas' fourth runner-up finish of the 2026 season, adding to his frustration after his public remarks about Chevrolet. He has since apologized for his 'childish' comments, acknowledging the impact of his words on the team and manufacturer.

