Alex Palou could make history this weekend at the Milwaukee Mile, on the verge of claiming his fourth consecutive INDYCAR crown and a crazy fifth championship in six years. This isn’t just another race weekend, folks, it’s a potential title clincher at one of motorsports’ oldest venues!
The Magic Number and Who Is Even Left In This Fight?
Palou has two shots to seal the deal with a pair of 250-mile races lined up. The first one drops Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX, with the second less than 24 hours later on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, also on FOX. The dude is sitting pretty, 91 points ahead of Kyle Kirkwood. After that, it’s Christian Lundgaard a further 110 points back, David Malukas at 142 behind, and Pato O’Ward trailing by 154 points. Those are the only drivers still mathematically in the hunt, but let’s be real, it’s Palou’s championship to lose.
So, how does Palou actually win this thing? His magic number for the weekend is 71 points. If he gets 108 points ahead of everyone by the end of Saturday’s race, it’s done. Or, if he’s 54 points clear by Sunday’s finish, he’s the champ. He can manage that with a second and a third place finish, and that’s not even counting bonus points for a pole position, leading a lap, or leading the most laps! Or, get this, a win and a 20th place finish could also do it. He even clinches if he just finishes at least eighth in each of the last three events, no matter what anyone else does. Remember, a driver can grab a maximum of 54 points in a race, with 50 for the win, one for pole, one for leading a lap, and two for leading the most laps.
Milwaukee’s Wild History and the Favorites
Here’s the kicker: Palou has never won at the Milwaukee Mile! The series only started coming back in 2024 after a nine-year break. His 2024 results there were a fifth and a 19th, and last year he took second in the single-race weekend. This place has seen some action, starting as a dirt track way back in 1903 and holding its first INDYCAR race in 1937. It’s the oldest motorsports venue still running, so it knows a thing or two about history.
Recent winners? Pato O’Ward and Scott McLaughlin snagged wins in 2024, and Christian Rasmussen took the checkered flag in 2025 for his first and only INDYCAR victory. Rasmussen is feeling good, too, telling reporters, “Obviously, great memories here getting my first win. 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.” He was arguably the best car at Phoenix, another 1-mile oval, earlier this year before a wreck took him out.
Who’s the favorite for this weekend? You’d probably peg Josef Newgarden from Team Penske. The guy has been tearing it up on the short asphalt ovals this year, winning at Phoenix and World Wide Technology Raceway. Even he admits, though, “It’s hard to pick favorites in INDYCAR. I don’t know that we are. I feel good about what we’re showing up w” when he was asked about it.
This doubleheader weekend is going to be insane. Can Palou grab that historic title, or will one of the dark horses like Newgarden or a confident Rasmussen spoil the party? After these two races, the season finale goes down a week later on September 4th at the Laguna Seca road course. But first, all eyes are on Milwaukee!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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