The Milwaukee Mile — the oldest motorsports venue that continues to operate today — could end up being the site of more history this weekend.
The 1-mile asphalt track, which started as a dirt track in 1903 and held its first INDYCAR race in 1937, could serve as the site where Alex Palou captures his fourth consecutive crown and his fifth title in the last six years.
Palou will get two chances to clinch with a pair of 250-mile races. The first is on Saturday (2:30 p.m. ET on FOX) and then another takes place less than 24 hours later on Sunday, (1 p.m. ET on FOX).
The season wraps up a week later on Sept. 4 on the Laguna Seca (Monterey, Calif.) road course.
Here’s what to know about the Milwaukee weekend:
Who Is Left In The Running For The Title?
Alex Palou leads Kyle Kirkwood by 91 points. Christian Lundgaard (110 behind), David Malukas (142) and Pato O’Ward (154) are the only drivers still mathematically in contention.
How Does Alex Palou Win The Title?
It’s very likely that Alex Palou will clinch his fifth INDYCAR title this weekend.
Palou wins the title if he is 108 points ahead of all drivers by the end of the race Saturday or 54 points ahead of all drivers by the end of the race on Sunday.
Palou’s magic number for the weekend is 71 points. He can do that with a second and a third this weekend and that doesn’t account for any bonus points for a pole, leading a lap or leading the most laps or with a win and a 20th.
With those scenarios, he can clinch the title no matter what anyone else does. If Palou finishes at least eighth in each of the last three events, he will also clinch the title no matter what anyone else does.
A driver can earn a maximum of 54 points in a race. That’s 50 points for a win, one point for the pole, one point for leading a lap and two points for leading the most laps.
Has Palou Ever Won At Milwaukee?
No. The series just started coming back to Milwaukee in 2024 after a nine-year hiatus. He was fifth and 19th in the two 2024 races and then was second last year in the one-race weekend.
Who Are The Recent Milwaukee Winners?
Christian Rasmussen won at this track in 2025.
Pato O’Ward and Scott McLaughin won the 2024 races while Christian Rasmussen won in 2025. For Rasmussen, it is the ECR driver’s first and only INDYCAR victory.
How Does Rasmussen Feel?
Rasmussen certainly feels good coming into Milwaukee. Earlier this year, he was arguably the best car at Phoenix, which is also a 1-mile oval. That was before being involved in a wreck with Will Power.
“Obviously, great memories here getting my first win,” Rasmussen told me Thursday at the track. “It just feels good to be back at a race track where I know we can be competitive and we’ve proven to be competitive.
“I’m excited to see what’s ahead of us.”
So Who Is The Favorite?
Josef Newgarden is currently one of the favorites to win at Milwaukee outright.
You probably would say that Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden should be the favorite. He won on the two short asphalt ovals this year — Phoenix (1-mile) and World Wide Technology Raceway (1.250-mile).
“It’s hard to pick favorites in INDYCAR,” Newgarden told me Thursday. “I don’t know that we are. I feel good about what we’re showing up with. We’ll have a good car here. … We’re in a good spot, but it’s tough.”
Are There Any Other Battles To Watch?
Dennis Hauger is currently leading the race for Rookie of the Year.
Yes, there are two points’ battles to watch.
The first is for the Leaders Circle bonus, which goes to the top 22 teams and can be worth around $1.7 million.
Christian Rasmussen and Caio Collett are tied for with 180 points, with Mick Schumacher at 170 and Sting Ray Robb at 155.
“We need to get some points on the board,” Rasmussen said. “We’re fighting for Leader Circle money. For us, it’s full focus on getting as many points as possible.”
For Rasmussen, he’s known to take chances. So don’t expect him to be conservative and play it safe for those points.
“It’s not really my nature,” he said with a laugh.
And then there’s the Rookie of the Year battle. Dennis Hauger has 204 points, leading Collett by 24 and Schumacher by 34.
“As a rookie, I’ve learned so much throughout the year, especially with Romain [Grosjean] as my teammate,” Hauger, who drives for Dale Coyne Racing, told me Thursday. “That’s been a good thing for me.”
None of the rookies have signed contracts for (or at least have not yet announced) their rides for next year.
How Does Qualifying Work On A Doubleheader Weekend?
Each driver gets two laps in qualifying. The first lap is the driver’s qualifying speed for the race Saturday; the second lap is the driver’s qualifying speed for the race Sunday.
How Come There Is Only One Practice?
There is only one practice but most of the teams tested last month. So they should have a relatively good feel when it comes to being prepared.
“The test was critical,” Newgarden said. “You almost had to be here for that if you wanted to make the most of your car for this weekend. … It’s still Milwaukee. The way it raced last year, it should race the same.
“You have to figure out how to get through traffic. That’s always going to be the case on a short oval.”
Milwaukee Has Come And Gone On INDYCAR’s Schedule. Will It Be Back In 2027?
Yes. And in 2028. And 2029. And 2030, 2031 and 2032. The track, part of the Wisconsin State Fair Park (which is in the Milwaukee suburb of West Allis), announced a five-year extension with INDYCAR on Thursday.
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