5 things we learned from the Milwaukee doubleheader: Rounds 16 and 17 of the 2026 IndyCar

Key takeaways

• Historical Sunday sweep: Pato O’Ward became the first IndyCar driver since 1981 to win two races on the same day, sweeping both Milwaukee encounters.
• Palou’s fifth crown: Álex Palou played the points matrix to seal his fifth title, taking a risk-free 10th-place finish in Race 1.
• Foyt–Collet strain: A.J. Foyt Racing’s decision not to swap Caio Collet’s failing engine virtually ended his Leader’s Circle and Rookie of the Year chances.

The Milwaukee Mile delivered absolute drama as unpredictable weather forced IndyCar to stage both races on Sunday, creating an extraordinary backdrop for the title run-in.

While Pato O’Ward delivered a historic double triumph and Álex Palou locked up his fifth series championship, the weekend offered crucial insights for the future of the sport. Here are 5 key takeaways from Milwaukee:

1. Foyt’s mismanagement pushes Collet toward the exit door

Caio Collet’s weekend ended in the wall during Race 1, concluding a painful event where his car lacked pace from Friday practice. Despite obvious engine issues, A.J. Foyt Racing failed to execute an engine swap before the races. While the team cited schedule chaos, the decision severely harmed Collet’s Leader’s Circle campaign, dropping him 31 points behind Dennis Hauger. Combined with financial rumors surrounding driver market alternatives, Collet’s tenure with Foyt appears to be nearing its end.

2. O’Ward puts on a historic clinic

By sweeping both Sunday events, Pato O’Ward joined an elite group of racing icons—including Al Unser, Mario Andretti, and Rick Mears—to win two IndyCar races in a single day. O’Ward showcased ferocious racecraft in Race 2 before leveraging a clean late restart against David Malukas to seal Race 1, cementing his elite standing in the paddock.

3. Palou manages the rulebook to perfection

Despite Chip Ganassi Racing lacking outright pace on the Milwaukee oval, Álex Palou drove with surgical precision. Rather than forcing dangerous overtakes, the Spaniard executed a calm, calculated drive to finish 10th in Race 1—doing exactly what was needed to lock up his fifth title in six seasons.

4. Lundgaard’s oval progress bodes well for Ganassi

Christian Lundgaard enjoyed his strongest career weekend on an oval, taking 6th and 3rd across the two races. While Arrow McLaren celebrated his maiden oval podium, Chip Ganassi Racing—where Lundgaard is set to move for 2027—has reason to smile as the Dane fills a key void in his skill set.

5. Team Penske falls short when it matters

Despite entering the weekend as traditional oval favorites, Team Penske left empty-handed. A rare mistake saw Josef Newgarden spin out of Race 2, while late-race mechanical hiccups hampered Malukas and Scott McLaughlin, leaving the team unable to stop O’Ward’s charge.

This historic weekend follows major developments across the paddock, including Álex Palou finishing 10th to claim his fifth IndyCar title as Pato O’Ward swept Milwaukee and Chip Ganassi Racing surpassing Team Penske as the most successful team in IndyCar history.

The 2026 IndyCar Series season concludes next weekend, September 4–6, at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. GRANDE PRÊMIO will provide complete live coverage across every session. Follow all updates on our news page.

Milwaukee Doubleheader Summary

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1. Who won both races of the 2026 Milwaukee doubleheader?

Pato O’Ward won both Race 1 and Race 2 on Sunday for Arrow McLaren, completing a rare single-day sweep.

2. Did Álex Palou secure the championship at Milwaukee?

Yes, Álex Palou finished 10th in Race 1, securing enough points to mathematically lock up his fifth IndyCar Series championship.

3. When is the final race of the 2026 IndyCar Series season?

The season finale takes place from September 4–6, 2026, at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.