Alex Palou’s pivot at the Milwaukee Mile saw him and Chip Ganassi Racing lose a hard‑earned advantage after a 115‑lap dominance slipped to a fifth‑place finish.
Second Race Highlights
Starting from pole, Palou steered a disciplined 250‑lap session, controlling the pace until late‑race handling problems and traffic conspired against him.
Kyle Kirkwood capped off a remarkable climb from 24th to sixth in the Andretti Global Honda, preventing a swift title coronation.
Championship Standings Shift
The setback moved Palou’s lead from 91 to 97 points as the rain‑delayed first race of the weekend—suspended after 90 laps—loomed.
With 54 points still required, the driver and crew eye the nightcap as the decisive moment for a fourth straight title.
Looking Ahead to Nightcap
Wind gusts through Turns 1 and 2 have unsettled cars, underscoring the extra challenge the 90‑lap race will bring.
“We need a tighter balance and more grip,” Palou said, intent on turning the same machinery into a title‑determining asset.
Swift preparation and focused repairs ahead of the evening meet will dictate whether the margin of victory expands or collapses.
Photo by: Gavin Baker / Lumen via Getty Images
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