The Milwaukee Mile hosted a grueling weekend as inclement weather forced the majority of the action to Sunday. Rain interrupted Race 1 after 90 of 250 laps on Saturday, with its conclusion pushed to Sunday morning alongside Race 2. Ultimately, the precipitation dictated the schedule, splitting the two events across the day.
Ultimately, the weather only delayed Pato O’Ward turning ‘The Mile’ into his personal playground, as he delivered a sweep to become the first driver since Rick Mears at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 1981 to win two IndyCar races on the same day.
As expected, Alex Palou bounced back from a rough previous round in Washington, D.C., to officially clinch his fifth—and fourth consecutive—IndyCar Series title in six seasons.
The two-part Race 1 featured 696 total passes, including 372 for position, along with 12 lead changes among eight drivers and four caution periods spanning 70 laps. Race 2 was more straightforward, recording 661 total passes (333 for position), 10 lead changes among eight drivers, and three caution periods for 37 laps.
Here is a breakdown of the winners and losers from the 16th and 17th rounds of the season.
Winner: Pato O’Ward
O’Ward denied Team Penske drivers in both events, securing a remarkable double victory. In Race 1, he capitalized on a chaotic final restart involving David Malukas to execute an inside pass into Turn 1 with 19 laps remaining, cruising to his second win of the day and third at the track.
In Race 2, the Arrow McLaren ace easily repelled Scott McLaughlin’s late charge through heavy traffic. Across the combined 500 laps, O’Ward led 174 laps, including a race-high 119 in the opening event. The day also held special significance, as his double-win coincided with founder Bruce McLaren’s birthday.
Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing
Photo by: Penske Entertainment
Winner: Alex Palou
While Race 1 was not his finest hour, Palou’s tenth-place finish—following a fifth-place result in Race 2—was sufficient to clinch his fifth IndyCar Series title with a round to spare at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. His four consecutive championships also tied the record set by Sebastien Bourdais, who won four Champ Car titles from 2003 to 2007.
Race 2 served as the crowning jewel of an exceptional campaign. The Chip Ganassi Racing driver started from pole and led a race-high 115 laps before finishing fifth. A podium might have been within reach had he not struggled with backmarker traffic, but aside from that, it was a flawless performance from the Spaniard.
Loser: Will Power
Will Power’s streak of three consecutive third-place finishes ended in heartbreaking fashion. In Race 1, he retired on lap 199 after getting caught in a three-wide battle. With traffic directly ahead making contact with the nose of his #26 Andretti Global Honda, Power was shoved into the marbles and the wall, finishing 25th despite having led three laps.
The Australian remained in contention for a victory late in Race 2, but a pit road speeding penalty dashed his hopes, leaving him to settle for 14th. These dismal results dropped him to 11th in the championship, a deeply disappointing outcome for the veteran on a flat oval.
Christian Lundgaard, Arrow McLaren, Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren, Scott McLaughlin, Team Penske
Photo by: Michael L. Levitt / Lumen via Getty Images
Winner: Christian Lundgaard
Christian Lundgaard silenced any skeptics regarding his oval capabilities.
The Dane led a lap and finished sixth in Race 1, matching his career-best oval result. He improved in Race 2, converting an 11th-place start into a career-best oval finish of third, which also secured a double podium for Arrow McLaren.
These strong results propelled Lundgaard back into second in the championship standings with 507 points, narrowly ahead of Kyle Kirkwood (505), Pato O’Ward (503), and David Malukas (484).
Loser: Caio Collet
Race 1 was a disaster for Collet, as persistent mechanical issues plagued his A.J. Foyt Racing entry before he lost control, bounced off Newgarden, and crashed into the outer wall for a 24th-place DNF. Milwaukee’s unforgiving surface punished his lack of clean track time, leaving him searching for answers.
Race 2 offered no respite. The Brazilian lacked raw pace and started near the back, remaining trapped in midfield traffic with no opportunity to advance. He finished 23rd, four laps down.
In a paddock where every weekend serves as an audition for the future, this messy, mistake-laden performance was a severe blow to his momentum.
Winner: Chevrolet
While rival Honda claimed the 2026 Manufacturers’ Championship, Chevrolet spoiled the party with a remarkable showing.
Powered by O’Ward’s weekend sweep, Chevrolet cleaned house by sweeping the podium in both races. The manufacturer secured a 1-7 finish in Race 1 and a 1-4 finish in Race 2.
Loser: Romain Grosjean
Grosjean’s weekend was defined by agonizing mediocrity. In Race 1, he struggled immensely with chassis balance and setup choices on the low-grip track, sliding back through the field and making contact that sent rookie Mick Schumacher spinning—a confrontation that followed after the race. Grosjean finished a disappointing 19th.
Race 2 brought an even worse result for Grosjean. Starting 20th in the #18 Dale Coyne Racing Honda, he was unable to gain ground before crashing out on a restart on Lap 155, finishing 24th.
Romain Grosjean, Dale Coyne Racing
Photo by: Penske Entertainment