Pato O’Ward edged out Scott McLaughlin by 0.7916 seconds to win the second IndyCar race at Milwaukee, marking his 11th career victory and sealing a Chevrolet podium sweep.
Race Commences
Alex Palou led the field from the pole, with Josef Newgarden right behind. Pato O’Ward occupied third early, while rookie Mick Schumacher chased fourth and teammate Louis Foster followed.
Six laps in, Romain Grosjean of Dale Coyne Racing advanced ten positions to 10th, capitalising on the opening laps to press for a strong finish. By lap 5 Palou’s cushion had grown to 1.7678 seconds over Newgarden.
Pit Stop Turbulence
During the first cycle, a rough start on O’Ward’s right‑rear wheel pushed him back to the back of the field, losing fifteen laps and putting him in 15th. The quick pitstop left him scrambling as the leaders closed in.
Lap 35 saw a caution after Grosjean spun beside the wall; Newgarden narrowly avoided contact. The yellow flag reset the pace, making mid‑race stops all the more critical.
O’Ward’s team fixed the earlier wheel issue, but the race remained open until the final pit window on the 54th lap, when a clean stop vaulted him to the front.
Stellar Finish
From the 54‑lap mark, O’Ward maintained a steady advantage over McLaughlin, who faded through traffic after Power’s drive‑through penalty. Christian Lundgaard slid into third, completing a Chevrolet sweep.
Behind the leaders, the battle for fifth saw Team Penske’s David Malukas make an inside pass on Kyle Kirkwood, while Alex Palou trailed the top four, never quite reclaiming the lead.
Podium Sweep
“We were feeling really good,” O’Ward said before the race, eyes on the track’s temperature rise. “It’s an all‑Team Chevy podium. That’s amazing. We’ve known we like Milwaukee.” His confidence reflected in the team’s flawless execution.
Season Impact
With this victory, O’Ward takes the lead in the 2026 season standings for IndyCar, setting the pace for the remainder of the season. The Chevrolet dominance at Milwaukee suggests a strong rhythm for the rest of the doubleheader, while rivals at Penske and Ram down the track gear up for the next race.
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