Scott McLaughlin’s 165.536‑mph opening lap handed him provisional pole for Race 1 at the Milwaukee Mile, but an unapproved engine change penalty will move him back, elevating Pato O’Ward to the front of the grid.
Telemetry Snapshot: Two‑Lap Qualifying Highlights
McLaughlin recorded 162.560 mph on his second lap, while Alex Palou finished with 164.658 mph on lap 2, just enough to edge O’Ward out of provisional pole for the Sunday race by 0.0003 mph.
Fastest opening laps:
- Scott McLaughlin – 165.536 mph
- Alex Palou – 164.147 mph
- Pato O’Ward – 164.019 mph
- Dennis Hauger – 163.192 mph
- Will Power – 163.220 mph
- Scott Dixon – 161.820 mph
Second‑lap leaders:
- Alex Palou – 164.658 mph
- O’Ward – 164.655 mph
- Scott Dixon – 162.153 mph
- Josef Newgarden – 163.767 mph
- Felix Rosenqvist – 163.183 mph
Grid Penalties Reshaping Race 1
McLaughlin, Palou, and David Malukas each received a 10‑grid‑place drop for engine changes that were not approved before the sprint. This did not affect their starting positions for Race 2.
As a consequence, O’Ward, who posted 164.019 mph on his opening lap, inherits the Race 1 pole. Malukas, whose first lap of 164.058 mph was faster than O’Ward’s, begins Race 1 in third.
Key Performances That Influenced the Order
Rookie Mick Schumacher (Rahal Letterman Lanigan) led with 163.244 mph on lap 2 before Hauger’s 163.192 mph first lap displaced him from provisional pole for Race 1.
Christian Rasmussen, returning from practice crash, managed 161.015 mph on his first lap. Stefan Milstein’s (insert speed if available) also reached competitive speeds but did not contend for the front.
Andretti Global’s Will Power and Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden both approached 164 mph on their second laps, positioning themselves deeper in the starting grid for Race 2.
Race 2 Grid Developments
Palou’s 164.658 mph second lap claimed provisional pole for Race 2, displacing Newgarden’s 164.655 mph from the spot. No penalties apply for Race 2, allowing the provisional order to stand.
Again, fast qualifiers included O’Ward at 164.655 mph and Malukas at 164.058 mph, ensuring a tightened front row for the Sunday sprint.
The doubleheader at the historic Milwaukee Mile now promises a contested first weekend, with the teams’ capability to adapt under penalty rules poised to shape the championship standings.
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