IndyCar is at the Milwaukee Mile for the second-to-last race of the season. Here’s everything you need to know before the cars hit the track on Saturday.
IndyCar Round 16: Milwaukee Mile Preview and Predictions
After a week off, IndyCar is back, this time at the legendary Milwaukee Mile. Last race in Portland, Will Power took home the victory for his first of the season, while Alex Palou secured his fourth IndyCar championship with a third-place finish.
Even with the championship decided, a lot still has yet to be settled, and Milwaukee could be an answer. The results could help the tight Rookie of the Year battle, Scott Dixon’s push for win No. 60, Power’s contract renewal, and Palou’s chance at history.
Race Preview:
There’s a reason Milwaukee Mile is the oldest operating motor speedway in the world; you never know what to expect, great racing with mixed results.
Last year, Milwaukee was one of two doubleheaders on the 2024 schedule. Race 1 saw Pato O’Ward dominate, leading 133 laps en route to winning his first oval race since 2022. Scott McLaughlin took race 2 in a wild, 250-lap showdown, fending off Scott Dixon, who finished just 0.456 seconds behind. The race featured six caution periods, an astounding 13 lead changes, and 57 caution laps.
The 250-lap race in Milwaukee will undoubtedly bring out varying strategies, cautions, and traffic, and will require drivers to be laser-focused, as this is no ordinary oval. Each of these can and will yield mixed results, and may even result in an unexpected podium finisher or winner.
The Track- The Milwaukee Mile
The legendary Milwaukee Mile is a one-mile oval that truly drives more like a road course because of the banking, or lack thereof. The turns feature only 9-degree banking, forcing drivers to slow before turning, unlike the faster ovals.
Not being able to go flat out on this track creates overtaking opportunities in the turns as well as the straights, but they aren’t easy. Elements like a lack of cornering assistance, the short straights, a dominant racing line, and the tight corners make Milwaukee a driver’s track. Overtaking opportunities can be done by getting a better run off Turn 2 or 4, under braking, during traffic, and on pit strategy.
Drivers to Watch:
How to Watch IndyCar at The Milwaukee Mile
Saturday, August 23
- Practice 1
- 11:00 AM Eastern
- Coverage is on FS1
- Qualifying
- 2:00 PM Eastern
- Coverage continues on FS1
- High Line & Final Practice
- 4:30 PM Eastern
- Coverage switches to FS2
Sunday, August 24
- Race
- 2:00 PM Eastern
- Coverage is on Fox
Last Word On Sports will have all the coverage from IndyCar’s Snap On 250 at The Milwaukee Mile
Main Photo: Joe Skibinski, Penske Entertainment
Recording Date: September 1, 2024
