Pato O'Ward Sweeps Milwaukee; Alex Palou Clinches Fifth Series Title
The INDYCAR SERIES history book got a workout after Pato O’Ward won the completion of the Snap-on Makers and Fixers 250 on Sunday at the Milwaukee Mile.
O’Ward (photo, top) dominated both races on Sunday in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet at the renowned 1.015-mile oval. He claimed victory in the race that was postponed due to weather on Saturday, just hours after crossing the finish line first in the Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250. The Mexican driver became the first to win two INDYCAR SERIES races on the same day since Rick Mears achieved this feat by winning a doubleheader on June 28, 1981, at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
I’ve dreamed of weekends like this before, having doubleheaders just a couple of times in my career, wishing I wanted to win both of them in a weekend,” O’Ward said. “We got to win both in a day. That’s definitely a dream come true for myself and the team.”
More history was made when Alex Palou (photo, above) clinched his fifth NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship after finishing 10th in this race in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. It was the Spaniard’s fourth straight title, tying a series record set by Sebastien Bourdais from 2004-07.
Palou, 29, also became the youngest driver in series history to win five titles. A.J. Foyt was 32 when he earned his fifth championship in 1967. Only Foyt, with seven, and Scott Dixon, with six, have won more INDYCAR SERIES titles than Palou.
The INDYCAR SERIES history book got a workout after Pato O’Ward won the completion of the Snap-on Makers and Fixers 250 on Sunday at the Milwaukee Mile.
O’Ward (photo, top) swept both races Sunday in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet on the historic 1.015-mile oval, winning the race that was suspended due to weather Saturday just a few hours after taking the checkered flag in the Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250. The Mexican became the first driver to win two INDYCAR SERIES races on the same day since Rick Mears swept a doubleheader June 28, 1981, at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
SEE: Race Results
“I’ve dreamed of weekends like this before, having doubleheaders just a couple of times in my career, wishing I wanted to win both of them in a weekend,” O’Ward said. “We got to win both in a day. That’s definitely a dream come true for myself and the team.”
Alex Palou Chip Ganassi Racing
More history was made when Alex Palou (photo, above) clinched his fifth NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship after finishing 10th in this race in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. It was the Spaniard’s fourth straight title, tying a series record set by Sebastien Bourdais from 2004-07.
Palou, 29, also became the youngest driver in series history to win five titles. A.J. Foyt was 32 when he earned his fifth championship in 1967. Only Foyt, with seven, and Scott Dixon, with six, have won more INDYCAR SERIES titles than Palou.
“Incredible,” Palou said. “I owe everything to this team. So proud of this team. It is great to have another championship and ready for the next one.”
O’Ward, who started first Saturday and led when the race resumed today, crossed the finish line 1.7535 seconds ahead of David Malukas in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet. Rinus VeeKay scored his first podium finish of his strong season in the No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet.
Scott McLaughlin finished fourth in the No. 3 Clarience Technologies Team Penske Chevrolet, while 2025 Milwaukee winner Christian Rasmussen rounded out the top five in the No. 21 Splenda Stevia Chevrolet of ECR.
Chevrolet-powered drivers took the top seven spots in the finishing order on a day that Honda clinched its 12th INDYCAR SERIES manufacturers’ championship.
O’Ward grabbed the lead for good on Lap 226 on a breathtaking final restart. Malukas led the field to the green flag, but his car was sluggish on the restart. O’Ward dove low and McLaughlin moved high, with the trio going three-wide into Turn 1.
The Mexican pulled ahead for the lead, making one of the track-record 372 on-track passes for position, and never trailed thereafter. Malukas stayed within a second of O’Ward for 10 laps after the restart but faded in the last 10 laps.
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