IndyCar returns to the Milwaukee Mile for the first time in eight years with championship contenders Alex Palou and Will Power battling for the title in a high-stakes doubleheader weekend.
Bollywood Fever: IndyCar is making its much-anticipated return to the Milwaukee Mile after an eight-year absence, with the championship battle intensifying between two of the series’ top drivers: Alex Palou and Will Power. As the season approaches its climax, this weekend’s doubleheader at the historic 1-mile oval will play a critical role in determining the 2023 champion.
Championship Showdown: Palou vs. Power
Alex Palou, the current points leader and Chip Ganassi Racing driver, is vying for his second consecutive IndyCar title and third in four years. Palou enters the weekend with a 54-point lead over Team Penske’s Will Power, the 2022 champion who is seeking his third series title. Despite Palou’s strong position, Power’s experience on ovals—and particularly at Milwaukee—adds a layer of intrigue to the battle.
Power, one of only five drivers in the field with prior experience at Milwaukee, has seven starts at the track, including a victory. Palou, on the other hand, has only tested at Milwaukee and has never won on an oval. Power’s teammate, Josef Newgarden, attempted to rattle Palou by highlighting his lack of oval experience, but Palou remained unfazed, confidently stating, “I like my way of doing things.”
Strategy and Team Dynamics
The stakes are high for Power, who knows he must outperform Palou in both races to remain in contention for the title. Team Penske, which tested at Milwaukee earlier this summer, has shown strength on ovals, leading to speculation about potential team orders to support Power’s title bid. While Team Penske traditionally avoids team orders, Power acknowledged that his teammates could play a crucial role in helping him close the gap on Palou.
Palou, meanwhile, is focused on maintaining his lead but isn’t planning to be overly conservative. “We need to try and go for wins,” Palou said, emphasizing that a cautious approach could backfire. He aims to balance aggression with smart decision-making as he looks to secure the championship ahead of the season finale at Nashville.
Changes to the Restart Zone
IndyCar has made adjustments to the restart zone at Milwaukee following a controversial incident at St. Louis, where Newgarden’s late restart led to a crash that took out Power. The new restart zone begins midway between Turns 3 and 4 and ends just before the start of the straightaway, marked by new signage and a painted line on the track. These changes are intended to create a fairer and safer environment for the drivers.
Ed Carpenter Steps Aside
In other news, Ed Carpenter, an oval specialist and team owner, has decided to step out of the No. 20 car for the remainder of the season. Carpenter, who struggled with his performance at Gateway, will be replaced by Christian Rasmussen, who has shown promise and will finish the season for Ed Carpenter Racing. Rasmussen, who finished 12th in the Indy 500, is eager to prove himself on the challenging ovals of Milwaukee and Nashville.
The Road Ahead
As IndyCar returns to the Milwaukee Mile, all eyes will be on the championship battle between Palou and Power. With two 250-lap races on the line, the outcomes of this weekend’s doubleheader could very well determine the 2023 IndyCar champion. Fans can expect intense racing, strategic plays, and perhaps a few surprises as the series revisits one of its most storied venues.
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