IndyCar Takeaways: Milwaukee 250s

Credit: James Black

IndyCar’s Milwaukee weekend was one of turbulence - not only on the weather radar, but in the planning, pit lane and positions out on track. At the end of it, there were two big stories - Álex Palou being crowned a five-time champion and the double-victory for Pato O’Ward - to mark the final stop on an oval this season in spectacular fashion.

DIVEBOMB presents the main takeaways from IndyCar’s trip to Milwaukee.

David Ma-luck-less

Credit: Amber Pietz

Has David Malukas made some costly mistakes? Yes. The Freedom 250 was the most glaring of those - and it’s one for which he has been very hard on himself. But the more he has been self-critical, often the more criticism he invites. 

In Milwaukee, an engine plenum event denied victory on the final restart of a race he had essentially wrapped up. His emotional reaction at the end of the race spoke volumes; this was a driver broken and with the belief that a curse had been put on him. While far-fetched, given his many unfortunate near misses in 2026, you would be hard-pressed to disagree. 

He will likely be thankful the season is concluding at the end of the week, as the off-season will provide a much-needed reset from the current downcast spell. But sitting fifth in the standings, it has still been an excellent first season with Team Penske.

Double the fun

Technically, this weekend did not go entirely to plan. For one, the second race finished before the first, which for anyone outside the sport could seem like a complete mind-warp. 

For regular viewers, rain delays have almost become expected on ovals over the season. There was undoubtedly dread once the race on Saturday was postponed; flashbacks to Nashville would have run rife for IndyCar officials.

But while Nashville turned into a damp squib with a Monday race and nowhere close to the viewing it should've got, Milwaukee was still well-received on Sunday. Perhaps it was the quirk of two races in one day, as it brought some unique scenarios that may not have been seen otherwise.

That being said, the fiasco of Race 1 being after Race 2 was rather confusing and could have been a bit smoother. If anything, it tested the hypothetical: would it be logistically possible to host two races in one day in modern-day IndyCar? That part could take a bit longer to decide.

O’Ward’s oval form returns 

Credit: Joe Skibinski 

The start of the season was tough for O’Ward. Yes, six top-five finishes within the first 10 races is very solid. Solid is not quite enough to challenge for a championship in this age of IndyCar, though.

Perhaps it was the removal of the title expectations, but ever since Mid-Ohio, where he picked up his first win of the season, O’Ward has been brilliant. Bar a mistake in the Freedom 250, he has been almost back to his best.

One that stands out outside of this weekend is Markham, finishing as the top Chevrolet driver, having had a very strong finish to the race, almost catching Palou.

But Milwaukee has arguably been the best O’Ward has looked on track for years. Comfortable all weekend, having qualified in the top four for both races, he showed good speed throughout. And unlike times in the past, despite a pit stop issue throwing him off-course in Race 2, he kept a cool head, waited for his moment, then took it and cleared into the distance.

It was a clinical, almost Palou-like performance from O’Ward in Milwaukee, which will undoubtedly be something to build on for next season.

VeeKay’s best season yet 

Credit: Amber Pietz

For a while now, Rinus VeeKay has been a bit of a ‘nearly man’ in IndyCar. He has had flashes of brilliance, particularly again since leaving Ed Carpenter Racing, yet has not had that last little something to propel him any further. The feat of managing to finish between 12th and 14th in the standings every year has become a bit of a running joke. 

This year, he has stepped up. Since the Indianapolis 500, where he finished a brilliant sixth, he has been consistently among the fastest drivers in the field. After three fourth-place finishes this year, Milwaukee saw him deservedly reach the podium for Juncos Hollinger Racing (JHR) - his first since a runner-up finish with Dale Coyne Racing in Toronto last year.

It feels like it was a when, not if, that VeeKay would be on the podium this season. He has been one of the series’ top performers this year - and his current position of 10th in the Drivers’ Standings proves that.

In its young history, the JHR team achieved its highest finish in the standings of 16th back in 2023 with Callum Illott. VeeKay’s current 10th would be their highest finish and 364 points their highest total. Not only has VeeKay made a real name for himself once again, but he has also established JHR as a team to take seriously. 

If reports are anything to be believed, JHR could be entering a technical partnership with Arrow McLaren that would see the new kids on the block receiving serious help to propel them even further up the grid.

If the racing world was fair, there is no doubt VeeKay would be in one of the top seats given the skills he possesses. Unfortunately, it seems like it will be another year the ‘big four’ will pass up an opportunity to sign up the Dutchman. 

What does that mean for VeeKay? How about another chance to prove them wrong?

Five titles - GOAT status?

To finish, a word must be given to Palou. Even before the season had started, he was already in the conversation for the greatest IndyCar driver of all-time. Scarcely has there been this level of complete domination in a series as competitive as IndyCar. 

With six victories in 2026 with one round remaining, the Spaniard’s fifth title has long felt an inevitability. It has all been said already - every superlative covered. The only thing left to do is to appreciate what can only be described as one of the greatest racing drivers of all time.