Category: Auto Racing

Mclaughlin, Palou Earn Poles

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Scott McLaughlin won the pole for Race 1 at Milwaukee and Alex Palou willstart on the point in tomorrow’s race. For race 1 McLaughlin, second place Palou, and third place David Malukas will serve nine place grid penalties.

Qualifying started under overcast skies, but as the session went on skies got a bit brighter although never sunny.

Pato O’Ward and Josef Newgarden will star on the front row in today’s 250 mile race.

Dennis Hauger held the pole for a long time. He finished seventh and he will start fourth.

In Sunday’s race. Palou will start on pole alongside O’Ward. Newgarden will start third and Mick Schumacher fourth. Like Hauger for race 1, Schumacher hung onto the pole for race 2 for quite a bit of time.

The speed differentials for both contests is huge. The leaders should encounter slower traffic very quickly.

Kyle Kirkwood, second in the standings, qualified 22nd and 24th, the slowest of the Andretti cars. It might be difficult for him to prevent Palou from clinching t5he title today.

I will post the official starting lineup when it is available..

Race Day at Milwaukee- But First, Qualifying

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Good morning from a cloudy Milwaukee Mile.

IndyCar qualifies for toda’s race at 10 am Central time on FS1.

The Snap-On Makers and Fixers 250 green flag us at 1:50 pm Central on FOX. The race title just barely meets the requirement that the race distance is longer than the race title.

After Friday’s collision with Kyle Koirkwood, Christian Rasmussen will go to a backup car today . I have no idea why they were were running so close together in PRACTICE.

I could under4stand teammates doing some drafting work, but two cars from different teams racing each other like that before qualifying is a head scratcher. I think Kirkwood is a bit more at fault. It appeared he didn’t turn in.

Screen grab just before contact.

This weekend’s schedule does not make sense to me. If the series wanted a three-day program, Friday has to be more than single practice late on Friday afternoon. A late morning practice followed by midafternoon qualifying makes more sense.

I’ll be back after qualifying with the results and the official starting lineup. Five cars as of now will drop nine spots.

Greetings from Milwaukee

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The trip to the Milwaukee Mile was very smooth as traffic wa slight through Chicago.

The big story concerns an erroneous announcement from Baranquilla, Colombia, confirming an IndyCar race in that cit5y in 2028. IndyCar issued the following statement refuting confirmation.:

It is always good policy to wait until IndyCar announces a race and its date before believing it will be on the schedule. With rumors of a race in Brazil for 2027, I am skeptical that two South American races will be on the calendar.

IndyCar practice isn’t until 5 pm Central time this evening. The timing is puzzling since both races will finish well before that hour. I’m not sure what teams can learn at that hour that will help them for the race or qualifying.

I will have a post practice wrap up this evening.

Milwaukee Preview

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Photo-My favorite Milwaukee moment, the start of the August, 1965, race.

As you read this, I am on my way to Milwaukee

The schedule: Times are Central. On Sunday there is a 15-minute warm up for IndyCar. before the IndyNXT race. It is not televised

IndyCar rides a huge wave of momentum into Milwaukee for the final two oval races of 2026. After last Sunday’s race In D. C., which attracted 3.282,000 viewers, the series hopes to continue to raise awareness. This weekend is test of how many repeat new viewers watch at least one of the races.

The Milwaukee Mile was a long time IndyCar staple, and it is a shame that the series had it off the schedule for a few years. I am happy that it has returned, and on Thursday title sponsor Snap-On signed a five-year renewal with IndyCar. The only thing better would be to return this event to its proper place on the weekend following the Indianapolis 500.

Both races are 250 laps. I have always thought that on a doubleheader weekend the races should be different distances, with the longer race on the first day. Saturday’s race should 275 laps and Sunday’s race could run 250 laps. We have 75 laps left over from Nashville to play with.

A Lot on the Line

Despite Paqlou’s commanding lead in the points, many drivers are still fighting for positions, jobs for 2027, and to earn their teams a paycheck of more than $1 million.

Milwaukee is likely Chevrolet’s last chance to grab another win before the end of the season. The Detroit based power plant has won only five times this year, two of their victories are on oval, both by Josef Newgarden. I think Chevy will win once this weekend.

Alex Palou could clinch his fifth IndyCar title Saturday should Kyle Kirkwood falter. Palou leads Kirkwood by 91 points after Kirkwood’s win in Washington last Sunday. I do not expect Palou to have another bad day.

Kirkwood has solidified his hold on second place. he leads Christian Lundgaard by 19 points. David Malukas has fallen to 51 points in arrears, nearly a full race, behind the Andretti driver.

At the other end of the standings, Christian Rasmussen and Caio Collet are tied for the final spot in the Leaders’ Circle. Mick Schumacher is only 10 points behind.

Dennis Hauger leads the rookie standings by 24 points over Collet. I think he is safe, but things happen on ovals.

Puzzling Things

Things I still wonder about that have not happened this year:

David Malukas still hasn’t won a race. His performances have seemed to have fallen off a bit since his crash in Nashville. Perhaps getting back on an oval is just what he needs.

Why has Marcus Armstrong faded since his near win at Road America/? Armstrong is another driver I thought might see the top step of the podium at some point in 2026. After strong showings at the 500 and Road America, the New Zealander has been plagued by engine issues and other problems. A doubleheader could be a tonic for him also.

Odd statistic- Andretti Global and Arrow McLaren have combined to win as many races -6- as Alex Palou has this season.

Kirkwood’s crash at Markham cost him at least 20 points. After how the race played out in D.C., we could have been looking at a possible title challenge over the final three races.

Picking winners– Picking a winner for a single race is tough, but picking two on t5he same weekend? In no particular order the race winners will be Will Power and Scott McLaughlin.

Snap-on Extends Partnership with Milwaukee Race, INDYCAR, IMS 

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From IndyCar and IMS. Big news. The agreement is for five years.

 INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026) – Snap-on Incorporated, Wisconsin State Fair Park and INDYCAR announced Aug. 27 that Snap-on will continue as title sponsor of the Snap-on INDYCAR Weekend at the Milwaukee Mile for multiple years.Snap-on also has renewed its multiyear partnership with INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), continuing as the Official Tools & Equipment Partner of both organizations.Founded in Milwaukee in 1920, Snap-on operates 15 manufacturing facilities across the United States, including two in Southeast Wisconsin. Its partnerships with the Milwaukee Mile, INDYCAR and IMS reflect the company’s broader connection to professional motorsports and the skilled professionals who drive it.
“Bringing INDYCAR racing back to the legendary Milwaukee Mile in 2024 was a win for Wisconsin and a win for race fans everywhere,” said Shari Black, CEO of Wisconsin State Fair Park.
“We’re extremely grateful for Snap-on’s continued support and its long-term commitment to this event. We look forward to working together to deliver the fastest racing on earth at the world’s most historic track.”Said Nick Pinchuk, Snap-on chairman and chief executive officer:
“Snap-on has been dedicated to celebrating the pride and dignity of Makers and Fixers performing critical work for over a century, and Milwaukee is a wellspring of the energy that has driven our enterprise from the very beginning. Extending our partnership with the Milwaukee Mile, INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway reflects our deep respect for the skilled professionals of motorsports who make spectacular race days possible.”
This weekend, the partnership will be in action at the Snap-on Makers and Fixers 250 on Saturday and the Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250 on Sunday. Fans can visit the Snap-on Experience to see demonstrations and the popular Snap-on truck parade, collect driver autographs and much more in the Free Fan Zone.
“Our partnership with Snap-on reflects a shared commitment to the people, skills and technical excellence that drive INDYCAR,” said Mark Miles, chief executive officer of INDYCAR and Penske Entertainment. “This extension demonstrates the strength of our extensive relationship across INDYCAR, IMS and the Milwaukee Mile. We look forward to continuing our work together and celebrating the people behind the performance.”
The weekend also will celebrate Makers and Fixers whose skill and expertise keep society moving, from repair garages and aviation hangars to plant floors. Saturday’s Snap-on Makers and Fixers 250 will recognize technical education partners, students and instructors helping to address America’s critical skills gap. Sunday’s Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250 will honor the Factory 15, select associates representing the thousands of Makers who produce the tools and equipment professionals rely on every day.
As part of race weekend, the winning pit crews will again be recognized with the Snap-on Makers and Fixers Award for their highly specialized work and performance. INDYCAR and IMS will continue this initiative, including presentation of a similar award to the winning Indianapolis 500 pit crew.
Tickets for the 2026 Snap-on INDYCAR Weekend at the Milwaukee Mile are available at MilwaukeeMile.com.
Snap-on Incorporated is a leading global innovator, manufacturer, and marketer of tools, equipment, diagnostics, repair information and systems solutions for professional users performing critical tasks, including those working in vehicle repair, aerospace, the military, natural resources, and manufacturing. From its founding in 1920, Snap-on has been recognized as the mark of the serious and the outward sign of the pride and dignity working men and women take in their professions.
Products and services are sold through the company’s network of widely recognized franchisee vans, as well as through direct and distributor channels, under a variety of notable brands. The company also provides financing programs to facilitate the sales of its products and to support its franchise business. Snap-on, an S&P 500 company, generated sales of $4.7 billion in 2025 and is headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Snap-on INDYCAR Weekend Fast Facts

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From IndyCar. Look fo0r my preview tomorrow morning.

Race weekend: Friday, Aug. 28-Sunday, Aug. 30
Track: Milwaukee Mile, a 1.015-mile oval in West Allis, Wisconsin
Race distance: NTT INDYCAR SERIES: Snap-on Makers and Fixers 250: 250 laps/253.75 miles (Saturday), Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250: 250 laps/253.75 miles (Sunday)INDY NXT by Firestone: INDY NXT by Firestone at the Milwaukee Mile: 90 laps/91.35 miles
Hybrid energy deployment parameters: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Unlimited activation with a maximum deployment of 135 kilojoules (kJ) per lap.
Firestone tire allotment: NTT INDYCAR SERIES
Fourteen (14) sets for use throughout the doubleheader event weekend.
INDY NXT by Firestone
Three new sets for use throughout the event weekend. A carryover set from the Milwaukee Open Test on June 23 may be used during the pre-qualifying practice session on Saturday.
X: @TheMKEMile, @IndyCar, @INDYNXT, #MilwaukeeMile, #INDYCAR
Instagram: @themilwaukeemile, @INDYCAR, @INDYNXT, #MilwaukeeMile, #INDYCAR
Threads: @INDYCAR, @INDYNXT
Facebook: @MilwaukeeMileRacing, @INDYCAR, @INDYNXT, #INDYCAR
TikTok: @INDYCAR, #INDYCAR
YouTube: @INDYCAR
Event website: https://wistatefair.com/wsfp/indycar-landing-page/
INDYCAR website: www.indycar.com

2025 race winner
NTT INDYCAR SERIESChristian Rasmussen (No. 21 ECR Splenda Stevia Chevrolet)
INDY NXT by Firestone
Salvador de Alba (No. 27 Andretti Global)

2025 NTT P1 Award winner: Alex Palou (No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda), 44.8422 seconds, 162.971 mph (two laps)
2025 INDY NXT by Firestone pole winner: Dennis Hauger (No. 28 Andretti Global), 47.8777 seconds, 152.639 mph (two laps)
One-lap qualifying record: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Patrick Carpentier, 20.028 seconds, 185.500 mph, May 30, 1998
INDY NXT by Firestone Mark Hotchkis, 23.692 seconds, 151.952 mph, June 2, 1996
Two-lap qualifying record: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Dario Franchitti, 42.7768 seconds, 170.840 mph, June 18, 2011
INDY NXT by Firestone Dennis Hauger, 47.8777 seconds, 152.639 mph, Aug. 23, 2025Note: Qualifying records are based on lap time, not speed.

FOX Sports telecasts:
NTT INDYCAR SERIES: 
Practice, 6 p.m. ET Friday, FS1 (live);
Qualifying, 11 a.m. ET Saturday, FS1 (live);
Snap-on Makers and Fixers 250, 2:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, FOX (live);
Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250, 1 p.m. ET, Sunday, FOX (live).
Will Buxton is the play-by-play announcer for FOX’s coverage of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, alongside analysts Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe. Georgia Henneberry, Kevin Lee and Jack Harvey are the pit reporters. |
 INDY NXT by Firestone: 
Practice, 9 a.m. ET Saturday, FS2 (live);
Qualifying, 12:30 p.m. ET Saturday, FS1 (live);
Race, 11 a.m. ET Sunday, FS1 (live).
Kevin Lee is the play-by-play announcer for FOX Sports’ coverage of INDY NXT by Firestone alongside analyst Jack Harvey and guest analyst Tony Kanaan. Georgia Henneberry is the pit reporter.
INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls broadcasts: Mark Jaynes is the anchor alongside driver analyst Davey Hamilton. Nick Yeoman is the turn announcer. Jake Query, Michael Young and DJ Clark are the pit reporters. The Snap-on Makers and Fixers 250 race (2 p.m. ET Saturday) and Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250 race (12:30 p.m. ET Sunday) can be heard live on network affiliates nationwide. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES races, NTT P1 Award Qualifying (12:35 p.m. ET Saturday) and all NTT INDYCAR SERIES practices also air live on SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation 218, indycar.com/leaderboard and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA. All INDY NXT by Firestone practices, qualifying sessions and races are available on SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation 218, indycar.com/leaderboard and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA.

At-track schedule (all times Central):
FRIDAY, AUG. 28
5-6:30 p.m. — NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice, FS1
SATURDAY, AUG. 29
8-8:50 a.m. — INDY NXT by Firestone practice, FS2
10:05 a.m. – NTT P1 Award Qualifying (single car, two laps with Race 1 lineup set by Lap 1 and Race 2 lineup set by Lap 2), FS1
11:35 a.m.-12:29 p.m. INDY NXT by Firestone Qualifying (Single car, Two laps), FS1
1:30 p.m. FOX on air
1:45 p.m. Snap-on Makers and Fixers 250 “Drivers, start your engines”
1:50 p.m. Snap-on Makers and Fixers 250 (250 laps/253.75 miles), FOX (Live)
SUNDAY, AUG. 30
9:15-9:30 a.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES Warmup
10:01 a.m. INDY NXT by Firestone at Milwaukee Mile “Drivers, start your engines”
10:06 a.m. INDY NXT by Firestone at Milwaukee Mile (90 laps/91.35 miles), FS1
Noon FOX on air
12:15 p.m. Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250 “Drivers, start your engines”
12:20 p.m. Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250 (250 laps/253.75 miles), FOX (Live)

NTT INDYCAR SERIES Championship facts:
Alex Palou leads the NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship with three races to go for the fourth time in his career. Palou also led the championship with three races to go in his championship-winning seasons in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Palou has led the point standings after 11 of the 15 races this season.
Palou is attempting to win his fifth NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship and tie Sebastien Bourdais’ record of four consecutive titles (2004-07). If Palou clinches Saturday, he would be the first driver to clinch INDYCAR SERIES championships with two races remaining in consecutive seasons.There are five drivers still mathematically eligible for the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship: Alex Palou, Kyle Kirkwood, Christian Lundgaard, David Malukas and Pato O’Ward. Any driver who trails the points leader by 108 points or more following the race will be eliminated from contention.Since the first INDYCAR SERIES race at Milwaukee in 1939, 19 drivers have won the Milwaukee Mile in their INDYCAR SERIES championship-winning seasons: Will Power (2014), Ryan Hunter-Reay (2012), Dario Franchitti (2011), Sebastien Bourdais (2006), Al Unser Jr. (1990, 1994), Nigel Mansell (1993), Michael Andretti (1991), Johnny Rutherford (1980), A.J. Foyt (1964, 1980), Joe Leonard (1972), Al Unser (1970), Mario Andretti (1966), Rodger Ward (1959, 1962), Jimmy Bryan (1956), Chuck Stevenson (1952), Tony Bettenhausen (1951), Johnnie Parsons (1949), Ted Horn (1947) and Rex Mays (1941).
Key championship point statistic: Since 2008, the driver who has led the championship with three races to go has won the championship 12 times – Scott Dixon in 2008, 2018 and 2020, Dario Franchitti in 2011, Will Power in 2014 and 2022, Simon Pagenaud in 2016, Josef Newgarden in 2017 and 2019 and Alex Palou in 2023, 2024 and 2025.Point differential: The 91 points that separate Alex Palou and Kyle Kirkwood are the third-largest point margin since 2008. Prior to this season, the average lead with three races to go since 2008 was 39.1 points.

NTT INDYCAR SERIES Notes: The Snap-on Makers and Fixers 250 and Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250 will be the 16th and 17th races of the 2026 season. There have been seven winners in 15 NTT INDYCAR SERIES races in the 2026 season. Alex Palou (Streets of St. Petersburg, Barber Motorsports Park, Streets of Long Beach, Streets of Detroit, Nashville Superspeedway, Portland International Raceway), Josef Newgarden (Phoenix Raceway, World Wide Technology Raceway), Kyle Kirkwood (Streets of Arlington, Streets of Washington, D.C.), Christian Lundgaard (Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, Road America), Felix Rosenqvist (Indianapolis 500), Pato O’Ward (Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course) and Marcus Ericsson (Streets of Markham) have all won in 2026.The Snap-on Makers and Fixers 250 and Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250 will be the fifth and sixth oval races of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule. Drivers from three different teams won the first four oval races: Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden (Phoenix Raceway, World Wide Technology Raceway), Meyer Shank Racing with Curb Agajanian’s Felix Rosenqvist (Indianapolis 500) and Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou (Nashville Superspeedway).The Snap-on Makers and Fixers 250 and Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250 will be the 117th and 118th INDYCAR SERIES events at the Milwaukee Mile. Scott Dixon, Scott McLaughlin, Pato O’Ward, Will Power and Christian Rasmussen are the only entered drivers to have won at Milwaukee.
Twenty-two drivers have previous starts at Milwaukee Mile – Scott Dixon has 15 starts, most of all drivers. Nine drivers have led laps at the track (Will Power 306, Alex Palou 199, Dixon 190, Scott McLaughlin 165, Pato O’Ward 133, Josef Newgarden 113, Alexander Rossi 46, David Malukas 25, Christian Rasmussen 16, Marcus Armstrong 8, Santino Ferrucci 6, Graham Rahal 5, Louis Foster 1 and Felix Rosenqvist 1).Milestones: Scott Dixon will attempt to make his 373rd and 374th consecutive start, extending his record streak…Graham Rahal will attempt to make his 273rd and 274th consecutive start, the third-longest streak in INDYCAR SERIES history …Josef Newgarden will attempt to make his 249th consecutive start of Saturday, breaking a tie with Marco Andretti for the fourth-longest streak in INDYCAR SERIES history, and his 250th consecutive start on Sunday…Dixon can also extend his series record to 436 career starts with a start Saturday and Sunday…Kyffin Simpson is scheduled to make his 50th INDYCAR SERIES start on Saturday

.INDY NXT by Firestone Race Notes:There are eight drivers mathematically eligible for the 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone championship: Enzo Fittipaldi, Nikita Johnson, Tymek Kucharczyk, Max Taylor, Lochie Hughes, Alessandro de Tullio, Myles Rowe and Jack Beeton. Fittipaldi, a rookie from Brazil and grandson of former INDYCAR SERIES and Indianapolis 500 champion Emerson Fittipaldi, leads Johnson, a rookie from St. Petersburg, Florida, by one point entering the weekend. Poland’s Kucharczyk is 18 points behind the lead.The INDY NXT by Firestone at the Milwaukee Mile will be the series’ 30th race at Milwaukee Mile. Salvador de Alba won the race last season and is entered in this year’s race. Previous Indy NXT by Firestone winners at Milwaukee include Paul Tracy, Adrian Fernandez, Bryan Herta, Greg Moore, Scott Dixon, Townsend Bell, Alex Lloyd and Louis Foster.