Roger Diez: IndyCar back in Milwaukee after 9 years

Josef Newgarden won the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway last Saturday, his fifth visit to victory circle at the track. But the win was marred by accusations from fellow competitors and fans.

Penske driver Will Power accused teammate Newgarden of causing a multi-car wreck on a late restart that caused a red flag and ended Power’s race. However, IndyCar officials reviewed the in-car video and concluded that although Newgarden started late he did not break any rules.

This weekend the series returns to the famed Milwaukee Mile after a nine-year absence. The top open-wheel racers in America have raced there since 1937 under AAA, USAC, CART, IRL, and now IndyCar sanctions. This weekend is the HyVee 250 doubleheader with races Saturday and Sunday. The only drivers in the field who have previously won at Milwaukee are Scott Dixon in 2009 and Power in 2014.

Peacock will broadcast Saturday’s qualifying at 11:15 a.m. and Race 1 at 3 p.m. Sunday’s Race 2 will air on USA at 11:30 a.m.

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Last week’s NASCAR Cup Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway scrambled the regular season championship standings and clarified the playoff field.

Tyler Reddick posted his second win of the season in overtime Monday after rain halted the race Sunday. Former regular season points leader Kyle Larson crashed out early and dropped to fourth in the standings as Reddick took a 10-point lead over Chase Elliott. The regular season title carries with it 15 playoff points, so it’s an especially important element going into the playoffs. With only two races remaining in the regular season, Larson has his work cut out to overcome a 32-point deficit to Reddick.

This weekend is the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona, where the “big one” is almost guaranteed and anybody can win. In fact, there has been no repeat winner of this race since Tony Stewart backed up his 2009 win with a victory in 2014. Nine active drivers have won the 400 with Chris Buescher the defending champion. Austin Dillon won in 2022, Ryan Blaney in 2021, William Byron in 2020, Justin Haley in 2019, Erik Jones in 2018, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in 2017, Brad Keselowski in 2016, and Kyle Busch in 2008.

Xfinity and NASCAR Cup qualifying, and the Xfinity Wawa 250 run Friday, and the Coke Zero 400 airs on NBC at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. Craftsman Trucks are at the Milwaukee mile with the Liunal 175 at 1 p.m. on Sunday on FS1.

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After their traditional August hiatus, Formula 1 is back in action this weekend for the Heineken Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. F1 returned to the storied circuit in 2021 after a 26-year absence.

Dutch driver Max Verstappen has won his home Grand Prix every year since the return. But this year may see a different winner, as the Red Bull team’s once dominant position is under threat this season. Verstappen has won only seven of the first 14 races and has not won in the last four outings, while teammate Sergio Perez has yet to win a race. In fact, Perez has only managed to reach the podium three times, all in the first four races. I would not be at all surprised to see a driver from the McLaren, Mercedes, or Ferrari teams atop the podium Sunday.

Qualifying airs Saturday on ESPN2 at 6 a.m., with the race at the same time Sunday on ESPN.

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And finally, the three-member National Autosports Appeals Panel upheld the penalties levied against Austin Dillon and the No. 3 Childress team by NASCAR after the Richmond race. Richard Childress Racing announced that they will appeal this decision to the Final Appeal Officer.