Why tune in to the NTT IndyCar Series’ final two races of the year?
The Alex Palou coronation already took place Aug. 10 at Portland, Ore. Here are 10 reasons to pay attention to this weekend's Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250 and the Aug. 30-31 Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix at Nashville:
Alex Palou Has Shot at A.J. Foyt’s and Al Unser’s record of 10 Victories in a Season
Palou has eight wins in the first 15 races of 2025, while A.J. Foyt won 10 of 13 races in 1964, and Al Unser won 10 of 18 races in 1970.
A Sixth Different Winner Could Emerge
Eight victories have gone to Alex Palou, two to Kyle Kirkwood, and one each to Scott Dixon, Pato O’Ward, and Will Power.
Conor Daly (Juncos Hollinger Racing), Santino Ferrucci and David Malukas (A.J. Foyt Racing), and Josef Newgarden (Team Penske) are among the oval aces who still are seeking a first victory of the season.
Remembering Justin Wilson
IndyCar President Doug Boles and four-time IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti, along with IndyCar on FOX's Will Buxton and CoForce CEO Jonny Baker, will make a special announcement Sunday morning at Milwaukee on the 10th anniversary of racer Justin Wilson’s passing.
Will Pato O’Ward Have to Ask “Pato Who?”
After Pato O'Ward's win at Milwaukee last year, he questioned why IndyCar wasn't more eager to expand into Mexico, his home country. It was implied that maybe O'Ward's popularity wasn't enough to help sell an IndyCar return to Mexico.
The "Pato Who" phrase uttered by the driver after his Milwaukee win last year became a catch phrase for merchandise and even a billboard in Speedway, Ind.
Rookie of the Year Crown at Stake
Perhaps Louis Foster—Indy NXT Milwaukee Mile winner last year—or Robert Shwartzman will take a bold step to guarantee he deserves the NTT IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year Award. Foster enters the last two races of the season six points clear of 2025 Indy 500 pole sitter Robert Shwartzman in the season standings.
Can Anyone Catch Patrick Carpentier at Milwaukee?
Maybe someone at Milwaukee finally will eclipse Patrick Carpentier’s 1998 qualifying one-lap record of 20.028 seconds, 185.500 mph. Last year, Scott McLaughlin had the quickest qualifying time of Milwaukee weekend at 22.5082 seconds.
Can Josef Newgarden Get It Done?
Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden, a two-time series champion, wants to extend his streak of 10 seasons with at least one victory. He’ll be amped especially for the season-ending Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix in his hometown of Nashville.
More 2026 Schedule Surprises
The NTT IndyCar Series is expected to announce its 2026 calendar within the next week or so, and folks are watching to see if NASCAR’s pullout from Mexico City eases the way for IndyCar to return there.
Next season expects to start again at St. Petersburg, Fla., with the Grand Prix of Arlington taking the action back to Texas on the street circuit near the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium March 13-15. The Long Beach Grand Prix is scheduled for April 16-18.
Observers are keen to see if the series goes international again.
Comments