Alex Palou secured his historic fifth IndyCar championship title at the Milwaukee Mile after a tactical finish in the rescheduled race on Sunday. The Chip Ganassi Racing driver clinched the 2026 crown with a round to spare, marking his fourth consecutive championship at just 29 years old.
Palou fought through a challenging race aboard his Honda entry, nursing a less competitive car to a tenth-place finish, sixteen seconds behind the race winner. That measured result proved more than enough to secure the championship as his closest rival, Kyle Kirkwood, dropped down the order following a costly pit lane closure.
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SubscribeAt the front of the field, Pato O Ward delivered a masterclass performance to take victory for Arrow McLaren. The Mexican driver capitalized on a setup change inspired by last year's machinery to sweep both races of the unique Milwaukee doubleheader, achieving a feat not seen in the series since 1981.
David Malukas settled for second after a missed gear shift on the final restart allowed O Ward to slip past and claim his twelfth career victory. Rinus VeeKay rounded out the podium in third place following a stellar late-race charge for Juncos Hollinger Racing.
Pato O Ward Dominates Milwaukee Doubleheader
Pato O Ward cemented his status as the star of the weekend by capturing his third victory of the season at the historic Milwaukee speedway. The Arrow McLaren standout executed a flawless strategy throughout the grueling doubleheader event.
David Malukas endured a heartbreaking finish, missing out on a maiden victory after leading a significant portion of the race before faltering on the final restart. Rinus VeeKay capitalized on the ensuing chaos to snatch third place and secure a morale-boosting podium finish.
Christian Rasmussen finished a solid fifth for Ed Carpenter Racing, banking crucial championship points ahead of compatriot Christian Lundgaard and veteran Josef Newgarden. Newgarden fought back valiantly through the pack despite a late-race caution involving Caio Collet.
The eventful weekend concluded with Palou celebrating his milestone championship in pit lane while the paddock turned its attention to the final stretch of the fiercely contested IndyCar season.