Ken de la Bastide: IndyCar returning to Milwaukee Mile is great news
Sep. 26—There was some good news in the 2024 schedule for the IndyCar Series with the long-awaited return to the famed Milwaukee Mile.
I have advocated for several years IndyCar should return to the Milwaukee Mile, which had been a staple of the schedule for many years on the weekend following the Indianapolis 500.
The schedule includes two races at the famed Milwaukee Mile, two races at Iowa Speedway, a race at Worldwide Technology Speedway outside of St. Louis and, of course, the Indianapolis 500.
It was disappointing to see the series will not return next year to Texas Speedway, which produced some great oval racing.
The schedule includes the made-for-television event in March at the Thermal Club road course in California.
That race will not be for championship points but will pay $1 million to the winner.
The format includes qualifying and two heat races. The top-six finishers in the heat races will advance to an "All Star" event with the $1 million on the line.
It's always good to see IndyCar at Road America and Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama.
The IndyCars will compete on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course prior to the Indianapolis 500, but there will not be a second race on the road course.
Since the Brickyard 400 is returning to the oval in 2024, it meant the IndyCars would not compete on the road course that weekend.
I still would like to see the series return to Michigan International Speedway some time in the future to add another oval race to the schedule.
IN OTHER RACING NEWS
William Bryon punched his ticket to the next Chase round with a victory Sunday in Texas.
It was the 300th career win for Hendrick Motorsports, with Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson providing 166 of the Cup victories.
Drivers currently below the cut line include Bubba Wallace, Tyler Reddick, Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch.
With NASCAR returning to Talladega this weekend, there will certainly be a shake-up in the Chase standings.
As we all know, there will be at least one "big one" during the race.
Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863.
