Milwaukee double: O’Ward sweeps the day - Palou grabs fifth title

Sunday at the Milwaukee Mile wasn’t just a race day – it was a full-blown re-writing of the IndyCar history books.

Pato O’Ward pulled off a legendary feat by sweeping both ends of a Sunday doubleheader in his No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet.

After taking the checkered flag in the first race of the day, O’Ward returned to the track hours later to conquer the suspended Snap-on Makers and Fixers 250. The victory made him the first driver to win two IndyCarSeries races on the exact same day since Rick Mears in 1981.

"I’ve dreamed of weekends like this before," O’Ward admitted. "We got to win both in a day. That’s definitely a dream come true for myself and the team."

O’Ward's path to double victory required sheer audacity. On Lap 226, he seized the lead on a breathtaking three-wide restart into Turn 1, diving low to pass a struggling David Malukas and Scott McLaughlin.

While O’Ward dominated the front, Alex Palou was busy carving out his own piece of immortality.

Crossing the line in 10th aboard the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, Palou officially locked up his fifth NTT IndyCar Series championship – and his fourth consecutive title, tying Sébaastien Bourdais’ record streak.

At 29, Palou also eclipsed A.J. Foyt as the youngest driver ever to reach five championships, joining Foyt and Scott Dixon as the only drivers in history with five or more titles.

"Incredible. I owe everything to this team," Palou shared. "Today was a really bad race for us... But just keep focused, keep on going. It is great to have another championship and ready for the next one."

Rounding out the historic podium behind O’Ward was a frustrated Malukas in second – still hunting his elusive first career win after a sluggish restart cost him the lead – and Rinus VeeKay, who secured a stellar third-place finish to grab his first podium of the season for Juncos Hollinger Racing.