Honda Aims for IndyCar Titles at Milwaukee Mile Double-Header

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is set to return to the Milwaukee Mile with a double-header format for the 2026 season. This event, featuring the Snap-On Makers and Fixers 250 on Saturday, August 29, 2026, and the Snap-On 250 on Sunday, August 30, 2026, will be a crucial point in the championship battle for Honda-powered teams and drivers. Both races will be broadcast live on Fox, with Saturday's action starting at 2:30 PM ET and Sunday's at 1 PM ET.

Milwaukee Mile Double-Header Format

The 2026 Milwaukee Mile event stands out as the only double-header on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES calendar, adding a unique challenge to the season. This format contributes to a demanding end-of-year schedule, requiring teams and drivers to compete in six races across five weekends as the season approaches its finale at Laguna Seca.

For Honda, the double-header presents two opportunities to secure a victory at the Milwaukee Mile, a track where they have not reached victory lane since its return to the series in 2024. Practice sessions on Friday and qualifying on Saturday will be available on FS1, providing extensive coverage leading up to the main events.

Honda's Championship Pursuit

Honda enters the Milwaukee Mile weekend leading in the drivers', manufacturers', and rookie of the year title fights, with only three races and two weekends remaining in the season. In the drivers' championship, two Honda-powered drivers, Alex Palou and Kyle Kirkwood, occupy the top two positions. Palou currently holds a 91-point advantage over Kirkwood.

Palou, driving for Chip Ganassi Racing, has the opportunity to clinch his fifth NTT INDYCAR SERIES title in six years if he can extend his lead to 108 points after the first Milwaukee race, or maintain a 54-point lead following the second race. Should his lead fall below 54 points, Kirkwood will have a chance to contend for his first championship at the Laguna Seca finale.

Honda also maintains a significant lead in the manufacturers' championship, with a score of 1,316 points compared to its closest competitor's 1,110. Honda-powered teams have achieved 10 victories this season across all four track types: road courses, superspeedways, short ovals, and street circuits. Notably, Honda has swept all six street circuit races in 2026, securing 15 out of 18 possible podium positions and leading over 90% of the laps on these circuits. Felix Rosenqvist's Indy 500 win contributed 55 points to Honda's tally, along with an additional 50 points for the engine's durability. Thirteen of the 15 Honda-powered entries have contributed to the manufacturer's points haul this season.

In the rookie of the year standings, Honda-powered Dennis Hauger leads by 24 points, with Mick Schumacher, also Honda-powered, 34 points behind Hauger. Honda is aiming for its fifth consecutive rookie title, following wins by Christian Lundgaard (2022), Marcus Armstrong (2023), Linus Lundqvist (2024), and Louis Foster (2025). Honda-powered rookies have claimed 12 of the 14 Rookie of the Year titles since multi-manufacturer competition resumed in 2012.

Historic Track, Honda's Past Performance

The Milwaukee Mile holds a notable place in racing history as the oldest continually operating racing facility in the world, having hosted at least one race annually from 1903 to 2024, with the exception of the World War II years. Honda has a history of success at this venue, with nine victories recorded by Honda-powered drivers.

Past Honda winners at the Milwaukee Mile include Jimmy Vasser (1998), Paul Tracy (1999, 2002), Dario Franchitti (2004, 2010), Tony Kanaan (2006, 2007), Ryan Briscoe (2008), and Scott Dixon (2009). Despite this history, Honda has not secured a win at the track since its reintroduction to the series in 2024, making the 2026 double-header a significant opportunity to add to their legacy.

The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Milwaukee Mile double-header represents a pivotal moment for Honda Racing Corporation USA. With strong leads in multiple championships and a rich history at the track, the weekend offers a prime opportunity for Honda to solidify its dominant position and potentially secure championship titles before the season concludes.