IndyCar Series at the Milwaukee Mile explained

Race Title:ABC Supply Wisconsin 250
Track Map:The Milwaukee Mile.svg
Series Long:IndyCar Series
Series Short:IndyCar
Venue:Milwaukee Mile
First Race:1937
First Series Race:2004
Distance:253.75miles
Laps:250
Most Wins Driver:Rodger Ward (7)
Most Wins Manufacturer:Chassis: Lola (16)
Engine: Offenhauser (50)

The Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin has hosted American open-wheel car racing events dating back to 1937. The AAA Contest Board, USAC, CART, Champ Car World Series, and the IndyCar Series have all sanctioned races at the facility. The Milwaukee Mile has a long history of Championship/Indy car racing, and for many years, traditionally held a race the weekend after the Indianapolis 500.

The NTT IndyCar Series first held events at Milwaukee from 2004 to 2009, and again from 2011 to 2015. The most recent race (2015), was called the ABC Supply Wisconsin 250. After an eight-year hiatus, the IndyCar Series is scheduled to return for a doubleheader – the Hy-Vee Milwaukee Mile 250s – in 2024.[1]

History

Open wheel racing at the track dates back to 1937. AAA sanctioned races in 1937–1939, 1941, and 1946–1955. The track was paved in 1954. For most years starting in 1949, Milwaukee traditionally hosted the first race following the Indianapolis 500. From 1947 to 1982, Milwaukee normally hosted two races, the first race right after Indy in early June, and the second in August or September. The latter sometimes in the days surrounding the Wisconsin State Fair.

USAC sanctioned Championship car races from 1956 to 1979. In 1980, the race switched to a CART (later CCWS) race, and continued through 2006. After the 1982 season, the second race was dropped.[2] With only one race annually going forward, the track decided to keep the traditional June "right after Indy" date. This tradition was famously referenced in the 1969 movie Winning where Robert Wagner's character delivered the line "Everybody goes to Milwaukee after Indianapolis".[3] In 1986, the race was scheduled for Sunday June 1. However, due to rain on May 25–26, the Indianapolis 500 was postponed to Saturday May 31. After discussions with track, television, and series leaders, the Milwaukee race was pushed back one week to make the accommodation.

The IRL/IndyCar Series started holding races at the track in 2004, and thus for a brief time (2004–2006), the track hosted both a Champ Car race (June) and an IndyCar race (late July). For 2007, IndyCar became the lone event. At that time, there was a renewed interest in placing the event on its traditional June date immediately after the Indy 500. This arrangement lasted three years (2007–2009). The race was put on hiatus for 2010, stemming from management difficulties regarding payment of sanctioning fees. In 2011, the race returned with Michael Andretti and Andretti Sports Marketing promoting the event. The race was branded as the Milwaukee Indyfest and included an infield festival reminiscent of street racing formats with vendors, paddock access, music stages, family zones and the signature Ferris Wheel. The Milwaukee IndyFest ran for four years, with ABC Supply Co joining as the Title Sponsor in 2013.

In 2011–2013, for a variety of reasons, race organizers decided to move the race to the Saturday of Father's Day weekend. Detroit took the weekend immediately after Indy, and Texas maintained its position on the second weekend of June. For 2014, the race moved to August reviving the old state fair date. For 2015, it moved back to July, then went on hiatus due to poor revenue and poor attendance. After eight years, and after track renovations, the race is scheduled to return in 2024 as a doubleheader on Labor Day weekend.

Race history and facts

From 1950 to 1987, the June race was called the Rex Mays Classic, in honor of Rex Mays, a two-time AAA national champion killed in a race in 1949. Meanwhile, the August race was named the Tony Bettenhausen 200 from 1961 to 1982 in reference of Tony Bettenhausen, who died after a crash in 1961.

In the 1963 Tony Bettenhausen 200, Jim Clark and Team Lotus became the first to win an American Championship race with a rear-engined, monocoque car. After finishing second in that year's Indianapolis 500, Lotus decided to run the car again at Milwaukee and Trenton. Clark and teammate Dan Gurney broke the track record by over a second in qualifying, and Clark led all 200 laps to win, lapping the entire field except for second place A. J. Foyt.[4]

At the 1991 race, for the first time in the history of Championship/Indy car racing, three members of the same family finished 1st–2nd–3rd in a race. Michael Andretti won the race, second went to his cousin John, and third to his father Mario. The Andretti family swept the podium, while Michael's brother Jeff finished 11th.

Indianapolis 500 / Milwaukee winners

For most years from 1949 to 2009, Milwaukee traditionally hosted a Championship/Indy car race the weekend immediately following the Indianapolis 500. Numerous drivers managed to win both races in the same year in back-to-back weeks.

Past winners

AAA Championship Car history

SeasonDateRace NameDriverTeamChassisEngineRace DistanceRace TimeAverage Speed
(mph)
LapsMiles (km)
1937August 29Rex MaysAdamsSparks96*96 (154.497)1:07:59
1938August 28Chet GardnerMillerOffy100100 (160.934)1:11:0884.345
1939August 27Babe StappMike BoyleOffy100100 (160.934)1:11:4383.651
1940Not held
1941August 24Rex MaysStevensWinfield100100 (160.934)1:12:5582.249
1942–
1945
Not held (World War II)
1946September 22Rex MaysCharles BowesStevensWinfield100100 (160.934)1:10:4484.815
1947June 8Bill HollandFred PetersWetterothOffy100100 (160.934)1:08:4482.281
July 27Charles Van AckerTucker PartnersStevensLencki100100 (160.934)1:09:4785.963
August 24Ted HornTed HornHornOffy100100 (160.934)1:11:0884.336
1948June 6Emil AndresCarmine TuffanelliKurtisOffy100100 (160.934)1:10:1985.319
August 15Johnny MantzJ.C. AgajanianKurtisOffy100100 (160.934)1:10:1985.326
August 29Myron Fohr/Tony BettenhausenCarl MarcheseMarcheseOffy200200 (321.869)2:18:2186.734
1949June 5Myron FohrCarl MarcheseMarcheseOffy100100 (160.934)1:11:4583.615
August 28Johnnie ParsonsKurtis KraftKurtisOffy200200 (321.869)2:19:4985.818
1950June 11Rex Mays ClassicTony BettenhausenMurrell BelangerWetterothOffy100100 (160.934)1:10:3385.027
August 27Walt FaulknerJ.C. AgajanianKurtisOffy200200 (321.869)2:17:2687.315
1951June 10Rex Mays ClassicTony BettenhausenMurrell BelangerKurtisOffy100100 (160.934)1:06:3890.024
August 26Walt FaulknerAgajanian-GrantKuzmaOffy200200 (321.869)2:11:2291.343
1952June 8Rex Mays ClassicMike NazarukMcNamaraKurtis/WetterothOffy100100 (160.934)1:05:0292.255
August 24Chuck StevensonBessie Lee PaoliKurtisOffy200200 (321.869)2:27:2681.392
1953June 7Rex Mays ClassicJack McGrathJack HinkleKurtisOffy100100 (160.934)1:04:0493.634
August 30Chuck StevensonJ.C. AgajanianKuzmaOffy200200 (321.869)2:13:5789.58
1954June 6Rex Mays ClassicChuck StevensonJ.C. AgajanianKuzmaOffy100100 (160.934)1:01:3197.529
August 29Manny AyuloPeter SchmidtKuzmaOffy200200 (321.869)2:04:3996.261
1955June 5Rex Mays ClassicJohnny ThomsonPeter SchmidtKuzmaOffy100100 (160.934)1:00:4298.844
August 28Pat FlahertyDunn EngineeringKurtisOffy250250 (402.336)2:37:5095.022

Non-championship race

Shared drive

USAC Championship Car history

SeasonDateRace NameDriverTeamChassisEngineRace DistanceRace TimeAverage Speed
(mph)
LapsMiles (km)
1956June 10Rex Mays ClassicPat FlahertyJohn ZinkWatsonOffy100100 (160.934)1:00:4298.846
August 26Milwaukee 250Jimmy BryanDean Van LinesKuzmaOffy250250 (402.336)2:41:4592.736
1957June 9Rex Mays ClassicRodger WardLesovskyOffy s/c100100 (160.934)1:01:2197.789
August 25Milwaukee 200Jim RathmannEpperlyOffy200200 (321.868)2:02:1798.133
1958June 8Rex Mays ClassicArt BischKuzmaOffy100100 (160.934)1:03:4994.013
August 24Milwaukee 200Rodger WardLesovskyOffy200200 (321.868)2:02:4197.864
1959June 7Rex Mays ClassicJohnny ThomsonRacing AssociatesLesovskyOffy100100 (160.934)1:00:5198.609
August 30Milwaukee 200Rodger WardLeader Card RacingWatsonOffy200200 (321.868)2:04:3596.445
1960June 5Rex Mays ClassicRodger WardLeader Card RacingWatsonOffy100100 (160.934)1:00:1999.465
August 28Milwaukee 200Len SuttonS-R Racing EnterprisesWatsonOffy200200 (321.868)1:59:51100.131
1961June 4Rex Mays ClassicRodger WardLeader Card RacingWatsonOffy100100 (160.934)0:57:46103.86
August 20Tony Bettenhausen 200Lloyd RubyJohn Zink TrackburnerWatsonOffy200200 (321.868)1:58:04101.638
1962June 10Rex Mays ClassicA. J. FoytTrevisOffy100100 (160.934)0:59:29100.7
August 20Tony Bettenhausen 200Rodger WardLeader Card RacingWatsonOffy200200 (321.868)1:59:59100.017
1963June 9Rex Mays ClassicRodger WardWatsonOffy100100 (160.934)0:59:39100.561
August 18Tony Bettenhausen 200Jim ClarkTeam LotusLotusFord200200 (321.868)1:54:53104.452
1964June 7Rex Mays ClassicA. J. FoytSheraton-ThompsonWatsonOffy100100 (160.934)0:59:48100.346
August 23Tony Bettenhausen 200Parnelli JonesLotusFord200200 (321.868)1:54:33104.751
1965June 6Rex Mays ClassicParnelli JonesAgajanian/HurstLotusFord100100 (160.934)0:58:58101.743
August 14Milwaukee 150Joe LeonardAll American RacersHalibrandFord150150 (241.401)1:32:3197.276
August 22Tony Bettenhausen 200Gordon JohncockGerhardtOffy200200 (321.868)1:59:28100.47
1966June 5Rex Mays ClassicMario AndrettiDean Van LinesBrawner HawkFord100100 (160.934)1:02:4496.515
August 27Tony Bettenhausen 200Mario AndrettiDean Van LinesBrawner HawkFord200200 (321.868)1:55:19104.061
1967June 4Rex Mays ClassicGordon JohncockGerhardtFord150150 (241.401)1:31:1498.643
August 20Tony Bettenhausen 200Mario AndrettiDean Van LinesBrawner HawkFord200200 (321.868)1:53:52103.386
1968June 9Rex Mays ClassicLloyd RubyGene WhiteMongooseOffy t/c150150 (241.401)1:29:20100.739
August 18Tony Bettenhausen 200Lloyd RubyGene WhiteMongooseOffy t/c200200 (321.868)1:50:22108.735
1969June 8Rex Mays ClassicGreg Weld/Art PollardGerhardtOffy t/c150150 (241.401)1:20:15112.157
August 18Tony Bettenhausen 200Al UnserVel's Parnelli FordLolaFord t/c200200 (321.868)1:52:24106.758
1970June 7Rex Mays ClassicJoe LeonardVel's Parnelli FordColtFord t/c150150 (241.401)1:23:06108.3
August 23Tony Bettenhausen 200Al UnserVel's Parnelli FordColtFord t/c200200 (321.868)1:44:59114.307
1971June 6Rex Mays ClassicAl UnserVel's Parnelli FordColtFord t/c150150 (241.401)1:18:19114.858
August 15Tony Bettenhausen 200Bobby UnserAll American RacersEagleOffy t/c200200 (321.868)1:49:42109.386
1972June 4Rex Mays ClassicBobby UnserAll American RacersEagleOffy t/c150150 (241.401)1:22:28109.131
August 13Tony Bettenhausen 200Joe LeonardVel's Parnelli Jones RacingParnelliOffy t/c200200 (321.868)1:47:28111.652
1973June 10Rex Mays ClassicBobby UnserAll American RacersEagleOffy t/c150150 (241.401)1:18:59113.965
August 12Tony Bettenhausen 200Wally DallenbachPatrick RacingEagleOffy t/c200200 (321.868)1:50:47108.32
1974June 9Rex Mays ClassicJohnny RutherfordTeam McLarenMcLarenOffy t/c150150 (241.401)1:21:39110.225
August 11Tony Bettenhausen 200Gordon JohncockPatrick RacingEagleOffy t/c200200 (321.868)1:41:03118.752
1975June 8Rex Mays ClassicA. J. FoytGilmore RacingCoyoteFoyt t/c150150 (241.401)1:18:55114.042
August 17Tony Bettenhausen 200Mike MosleyJerry O'Connell RacingEagleOffy t/c200200 (321.868)1:44:54114.393
1976June 13Rex Mays ClassicMike MosleyJerry O'Connell RacingEagleOffy t/c150150 (241.401)1:14:02121.577
August 22Tony Bettenhausen 200Al UnserVel's Parnelli Jones RacingParnelliCosworth t/c200200 (321.868)1:38:26121.907
1977June 12Rex Mays ClassicJohnny RutherfordTeam McLarenMcLarenCosworth t/c150150 (241.401)1:36:4992.962
August 21Tony Bettenhausen 200Johnny RutherfordTeam McLarenMcLarenCosworth t/c200200 (321.868)1:55:37103.798
1978June 18Rex Mays ClassicRick MearsPenske RacingPenskeCosworth t/c150150 (241.401)1:14:35120.677
August 20Tony Bettenhausen 200Danny OngaisInterscope RacingParnelliCosworth t/c200200 (321.868)1:50:43108.369
1979June 10Rex Mays ClassicA. J. FoytGilmore RacingParnelliCosworth t/c150150 (241.401)1:22:36108.955
August 12Tony Bettenhausen 200Roger McCluskeyAMI RacingLolaCosworth t/c200200 (321.868)1:42:27117.135

Shared drive

CART Championship Car history

SeasonDateRace NameDriverTeamChassisEngineRace DistanceRace TimeAverage Speed
(mph)
Report
LapsMiles (km)
1980June 8Gould Rex Mays Classic Bobby UnserPenske RacingPenskeCosworth150150 (241.401)1:19:48112.773Report
August 10Tony Bettenhausen 200 Johnny RutherfordChaparral RacingChaparralCosworth200200 (321.868)1:54:13105.063Report
1981June 7Gould Rex Mays Classic Mike MosleyAll American RacersEagleChevrolet150150 (241.401)1:19:03113.838Report
September 5A.B. Dick Tony Bettenhausen 200 Tom SnevaBignotti-CotterMarchCosworth200200 (321.868)1:41:41118.013Report
1982June 13Gould Rex Mays Classic Gordon JohncockPatrick RacingWildcatCosworth150150 (241.401)1:10:52126.987Report
August 1Provimi Veal Tony Bettenhausen 200 Tom SnevaBignotti-CotterMarchCosworth200200 (321.868)1:49:57109.132Report
1983June 12Dana Rex Mays Classic Tom SnevaBignotti-CotterMarchCosworth150150 (241.401)1:17:42115.83Report
1984June 3Dana Rex Mays Classic Tom SnevaMayer Motorsports LtdMarchCosworth200200 (321.868)1:41:41118.03Report
1985June 2Miller American 200,
in Honor of Rex Mays
Mario AndrettiNewman/Haas RacingLolaCosworth200200 (321.868)1:36:38124.162Report
1986June 8Miller American 200,
in Honor of Rex Mays
Michael AndrettiKraco RacingMarchCosworth200200 (321.868)1:42:45116.788Report
1987May 31Miller American 200,
in Honor of Rex Mays
Michael AndrettiKraco RacingMarchCosworth200200 (321.868)1:47:17111.853Report
1988June 5Miller High Life 200 Rick MearsPenske RacingPenskeChevrolet-Ilmor200200 (321.868)1:37:42122.819Report
1989June 4Miller High Life 200 Rick MearsPenske RacingPenskeChevrolet-Ilmor200200 (321.868)1:32:11130.16Report
1990June 3Miller Genuine Draft 200 Al Unser Jr.Galles/Kraco RacingLolaChevrolet-Ilmor200200 (321.868)1:29:46133.67Report
1991June 2Miller Genuine Draft 200 Michael AndrettiNewman/Haas RacingLolaChevrolet-Ilmor200200 (321.868)1:29:10134.577Report
1992June 28Miller Genuine Draft 200 Michael AndrettiNewman/Haas RacingLolaFord-Cosworth200200 (321.868)1:26:56138.031Report
1993June 6Miller Genuine Draft 200 Nigel MansellNewman/Haas RacingLolaFord-Cosworth200200 (321.868)1:48:08110.97Report
1994June 5Miller Genuine Draft 200 Al Unser Jr.Penske RacingPenskeIlmor192*192 (308.994)1:36:57118.804Report
1995June 4Miller Genuine Draft 200 Paul TracyNewman/Haas RacingLolaFord-Cosworth200200 (321.868)1:27:23137.304Report
1996June 2Miller Genuine Draft 200 Michael AndrettiNewman/Haas RacingLolaFord-Cosworth200200 (321.868)1:33:32128.282Report
1997June 1Miller 200 Greg MooreForsythe RacingReynardMercedes-Benz200200 (321.868)1:43:32119.597Report
1998May 31Miller 200 Jimmy VasserChip Ganassi RacingReynardHonda200200 (321.868)1:34:17131.349Report
1999June 6Miller Lite 225 Presented by Kmart Paul TracyTeam GreenReynardHonda225225 (362.102)1:48:49128.029Report
2000June 4Miller Lite 225 Presented by Kmart Juan Pablo MontoyaChip Ganassi RacingLolaToyota225225 (362.102)1:37:38142.684Report
2001June 3Miller Lite 225 Kenny BräckTeam RahalLolaFord-Cosworth225225 (362.102)1:54:08122.066Report
2002June 2Miller Lite 250 Paul TracyTeam GreenLolaHonda250250 (402.336)1:59:27129.583Report
2003May 31The Milwaukee Mile Centennial 250
Presented by Miller Lite and Argent Mortgage
Michel Jourdain Jr.Team RahalLolaFord-Cosworth250250 (402.336)2:16:45113.19Report
2004June 5Time Warner Cable Roadrunner 250 Ryan Hunter-ReayHerdez CompetitionLolaFord-Cosworth250250 (402.336)1:59:12129.859Report
2005June 4Time Warner Cable Roadrunner 225
Presented by U.S. Bank
Paul TracyForsythe RacingLolaFord-Cosworth221*221 (355.665)1:45:01130.301Report
2006June 4Time Warner Cable Road Runner 225 Sébastien BourdaisNewman/Haas RacingLolaFord-Cosworth197*197 (317.04)1:45:03116.101Report

IRL/IndyCar Series history

SeasonDateRace NameDriverTeamChassisEngineRace DistanceRace TimeAverage Speed
(mph)
Report
LapsMiles (km)
2004July 25Menards A. J. Foyt Indy 225 Dario FranchittiAndretti Green RacingDallaraHonda225228.375miles1:46:49128.272Report
2005July 24ABC Supply Company A. J. Foyt Indy 225 Sam Hornish Jr.Team PenskeDallaraToyota225228.375miles1:51:39122.733Report
2006July 23ABC Supply Company A. J. Foyt Indy 225 Tony KanaanAndretti Green RacingDallaraHonda225228.375miles1:42:38133.513Report
2007June 3ABC Supply Company A. J. Foyt Indy 225 Tony KanaanAndretti Green RacingDallaraHonda225228.375miles1:47:42127.220Report
2008June 1ABC Supply Company A. J. Foyt Indy 225 Ryan BriscoeTeam PenskeDallaraHonda225228.375miles1:42:42133.428Report
2009May 31ABC Supply Company A. J. Foyt Indy 225 Scott DixonChip Ganassi RacingDallaraHonda225228.375miles1:38:44138.784Report
2010Not held
2011June 19Milwaukee 225 Dario FranchittiChip Ganassi RacingDallaraHonda225228.375miles1:56:44117.390Report
2012June 16Milwaukee IndyFest Presented by XYQ Ryan Hunter-ReayAndretti AutosportDallara DW12Chevrolet225228.375miles1:52:18122.020Report
2013June 15Milwaukee IndyFest Ryan Hunter-ReayAndretti AutosportDallara DW12Chevrolet250253.75miles1:51:15136.848Report
2014August 17ABC Supply Wisconsin 250 Will PowerTeam PenskeDallaraChevrolet250250.75miles1:44:49145.243Report
2015July 12ABC Supply Wisconsin 250 SébastienBourdaisKVSH RacingDallaraChevrolet250250.75miles1:56:46.8264130.373Report
20162023Not held
2024August 31Hy-Vee Milwaukee Mile 250sReport
September 1Hy-Vee Milwaukee Mile 250sReport

Support race history

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Milwaukee in, Texas out as IndyCar releases 2024 schedule. Racer. Marshall. Pruett. September 25, 2023. September 26, 2023.
  2. Web site: The Milwaukee Mile. Champ Car Stats. 28 February 2011.
  3. Web site: Indy winner Franchitti targets Indy/Milwaukee double. ESPN.com. October 10, 2023. John. Oreovicz.
  4. Web site: Case. Dean. The Day the Dinosaurs Died. 28 February 2011.