IndyCar 2022 preview: Meet the six rookies and their collection of diverse backstories

Well before he joined the class of 2022 rookies, David Malukas was racing against the stars of the NTT IndyCar Series.

As a child and in his imagination on a hoverboard around his living room.

“I was pretending to be racing with these drivers,” Malukas, 20, told NBC Sports. “Fast forward a few years, and now we will actually be racing with IndyCar legends, and it is a surreal feeling. It will be really interesting to see where we are with them. But whatever happens, if we’re great, if we’re bad, I am just so happy to be in the IndyCar field racing with them. It is just incredible.”

VIEWER’S GUIDE: Five storylines to watch this season in IndyCar

WEEKEND SCHEDULE: When cars will be on track for the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

It’s enough to leave the Dale Coyne Racing rookie speechless when he recently met six-time series champion Scott Dixon, whom he raced against the most in his make-believe world.

“He was really friendly, talking to me like we’ve been friends for the past years and he just says,’ ” Malukas said. “I kind of just sat there and nodded my head and just nothing really came out of my mouth. And then I turned around, and I was like, ‘That was Scott Dixon!’ It was very cool.”

Kyle Kirkwood, who edged Malukas for the Indy Lights championship last season, is feeling similar vibes as he heads into his rookie season with A.J. Foyt Racing.

“It’s intimidating driving with, with the guys that I grew up watching,” Kirkwood, 23, told NBC Sports. “I watched all the Indy 500s and those guys that won it and did really well, and I’m racing against now. So it is intimidating knowing how much they experience they have and how much I looked up to them. Being able to race against them this year is something almost surreal.”

Wi