Kyle Kirkwood and David Malukas have followed remarkably similar paths to the top of the sport.

They raced each other in Florida karting events as kids, battled for an INDY NXT championship and now compete for two of the most successful teams in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Their careers have taken different turns, but the longtime friendly rivals share a common goal: catching Alex Palou.

Palou, who turned 29 on April 1, has won five championships in six NTT INDYCAR SERIES seasons with Chip Ganassi Racing. His four consecutive titles from 2023-26 tie Sébastien Bourdais’ 2004-07 run for the longest championship streak in series history.

Kirkwood, who turns 28 on Oct. 19, is from Jupiter, Florida, and drives for Andretti Global. Malukas, who turned 25 on Sept. 27, is from Chicago and races for Team Penske. Both believe they can be among the drivers capable of challenging Palou’s dominance.

“It’s crazy to see how far we’ve come,” Malukas said. “Now he’s (Kirkwood) with Andretti. I’m at Penske, and that battle still continues. So, it’s cool to see us as a generation make it all the way to the top.”

Kyle Kirkwood David Malukas

Their rivalry began long before either reached the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Kirkwood and Malukas started racing karts in Florida in 2009. They continued competing against each other through the junior ranks before emerging as the two dominant drivers of the 2021 INDY NXT season. Kirkwood won the championship by 13 points over Malukas, with the pair combining to win 17 of the season’s 20 races (photo, above. Credit: Gavin Baker Photography).

Their paths eventually led to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, where both were part of the 2022 rookie class. Kirkwood drove for AJ Foyt Racing, while Malukas joined Dale Coyne Racing.

Kirkwood moved to Andretti Global for the 2023 season and quickly established himself as a race winner, earning his first series victory in the prestigious Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, the third event of the season. He added another win later that year on the streets of Nashville.

Malukas’ progression took a more complicated route. After two seasons with Dale Coyne Racing, he was scheduled to join Arrow McLaren in 2024. But an offseason mountain biking accident left him injured and unable to compete. The team released him before he made a start.

Malukas returned to competition with Meyer Shank Racing for the final 10 races of the 2024 season before spending 2025 with Foyt’s team. Then came his biggest opportunity yet. Team Penske signed Malukas for the 2026 season, giving him the chance to drive for one of the most successful organizations in INDYCAR SERIES history.

It also put two drivers who had competed against each other since childhood in positions they once could only have imagined. Kirkwood was established at Andretti Global. Malukas was now wearing Team Penske colors. Their careers had taken different turns, but the friendly rivalry remained.

“We’ve been through it all,” Malukas said of Kirkwood. “We went through different ranks. We went through feeder series. We’ve been racing each other since I was picking my nose, playing with Hot Wheels, go-karting. The Florida Winter Tour -- that’s where the battle all started.”

This isn’t the first time for a connection like this. Tony Kanaan and Helio Castroneves took a similar path from competing as kids in Brazil to junior open-wheel categories in the United States to the INDYCAR SERIES. The same type of friendly rivalry existed through junior categories for Pato O’Ward and Colton Herta, especially in their fierce race for the INDY NXT title in 2018.

Kirkwood sees the same connection. So much so, he ran into Malukas’ father, Henry, before he climbed into his car in the season finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Kirkwood said he and Malukas’ dad reflected on how far the two drivers had come.

“I said it’s cool if you look back at when we were in karting together,” Kirkwood said. “We were on the same team in karting many years ago. It’s pretty cool to look and be like, ‘Hey, we’re fighting for positions in a championship, pretty high positions in a championship in INDYCAR.’”

Kirkwood finished second in points in the 2026 season while Malukas was fifth, the top Team Penske points finisher. Kirkwood is well aware what makes Malukas such a formidable opponent, one he believes will earn his first series win sooner than later.

“He’s a phenomenal driver,” Kirkwood said. “He definitely does the things that I do poorly extremely well. I’ve learned a lot racing against him over the years.”

That familiarity could become an advantage as both drivers continue their pursuit of Palou. They know each other’s strengths. They have watched each other develop. And they have competed against each other every step of the way. Now, they have the equipment and experience to contend at the front of the championship.

“I’m proud to be part of the era he’s in because he’s an exceptional driver,” Kirkwood said. “I think for many years to come, he’s going to be someone knocking on the door of a championship.”