After a two week hiatus it’s time for IndyCar to resume racing in Milwaukee, as drivers begin their weekend with Practice 1. Will 2025 champion Alex Palou manage to win yet another oval race, or will 2024 Race 1 winner Pato O’Ward try and extend his P2 advantage?
Ganassi’s Scott Dixon and Kyffin Simpson will serve nine-place grid penalties this weekend for an unapproved engine change following a testing session earlier this week.
Early runs
The first driver to set a lap in the 22s, equivalent to 159.675mph, was Palou, starting out strong once five minutes in the session, whereas Defrancesco, Rosenqvist, Rahal and Daly cycle in P2.
Latest race winner Will Power, yet to secure a deal for 2026, still hasn’t been able to get on track ten minutes into the session. However, Penske appear to be able to creat a lot of speed in Milwaukee, with Newgarden immediately in P1 with 161.065 mphs, as well as Power in third mere fractions of miles behind the championship winner.
Recently renewed for 2026 Armstrong might be in contention for a positive finish as well, with strong consistent runs in the high 158mphs.
Palou momentarily went wide, but was able to keep his car away from the wall on the higher racing line.
Mid-way of the session
At the halfway point of the session, no major issues have to be disclosed. The top 5 still features Newgarden, Palou, Power, Armstrong and O’Ward.
Rahal from P8 mentions tyre degradation issues. A yellow flag for track inspection was issued, forcing all the drivers to return to the pits. Rossi, Daly, Malukas who was the latest driver to improve, Rahal and Rosenqvist complete the top ten.
IndyCar Milwaukee Practice 1 resumed with 15 minutes left on the clock. Among the driver more eager to return on track is Prema’s Shwartzmann. Surprisingly, oval race winner in 2025 Kirkwood is only twentieth.
Among the first to improve after the restart is Veekay, up to P6 with a 158.612mph speed. Another great improver was Andretti’s Ericsson, who becomes the second driver to sign a lap in the 160mphs for P2.
McLaughlin joins the Penske party on top with a strong 159.866mph. However, track evolution allows for times to lower, as Daly and then Palou get P2 with mid 160mphs laps. Newgarden’s early benchmark of 161.065mphs reigns on.
McLaughlin has a moment but is able to keep his car no. 3 off the walls. Unfortunately, another yellow flag for track inspection is issued in the final moments of the session. Debris was removed.
An additional five minutes of practice was added to the clock. However, no changes to the final order were made.
Newgarden ends the IndyCar Milwaukee Practice 1 on Top, ahead of Palou, Daly, on a quest for revenge, Veekay, Ericsson. Tune in later for more Practice and Qualifying!
Complete IndyCar Milwaukee Practice 1 results
