Pato O’Ward, the beloved IndyCar driver from Monterrey, Mexico, took the victory in the first race of a doubleheader at the Milwaukee Mile on Saturday. Throughout the weekend, he has been vocal about his disappointment in IndyCar’s decision to allow NASCAR to schedule a race in Mexico City before IndyCar could do so. O’Ward, who is considered IndyCar’s most popular driver, has expressed his desire to race in his home country, but NASCAR announced plans to race in Mexico City next June instead.
The controversy escalated when IndyCar CEO Mark Miles stated that the promoters in Mexico City did not believe IndyCar and O’Ward had a strong enough following to warrant hosting a race. This statement frustrated O’Ward, who has been steadily building a significant fan base, ranking second in popularity in Mexico behind Formula 1 driver Sergio Perez.
O’Ward’s win at Milwaukee, his third of the year and first on an oval since July 2022, was a significant achievement. He led 133 of the 250 laps, overshadowing the championship battle between points leader Alex Palou and Will Power. Power finished second in the race, narrowing Palou’s lead to 43 points with two oval races remaining in the season.
Chevrolet dominated the podium in IndyCar’s return to Milwaukee after an eight-year absence. Conor Daly secured a third-place finish, marking Juncos Hollinger Racing’s first-ever podium appearance. Looking ahead, the championship race will conclude after Sunday’s second race at Milwaukee and the final race next month at Nashville Superspeedway.
Palou, the current points leader, has never won on an oval, while Power has 10 career oval victories. Both drivers, seeking their third IndyCar title, are determined to secure the championship. The intense competition was evident in the race, with Palou facing challenges during pit stops as he navigated around Power’s car, narrowly avoiding contact with Power’s crew equipment.
Next on the IndyCar schedule is the second part of the doubleheader weekend at the Milwaukee Mile on Sunday.
