Milwaukee Mile

Track Info

Location	West Allis, Wisconsin (Milwaukee metro area)
Type	Flat Oval
Length	1.015 miles (1.633 km)
Turns	4
Surface	Asphalt
Banking	Essentially flat (9 degrees in the turns)
Capacity	~37,000 (grandstand and bleacher seating)
Opened	1903

Track Characteristics

The Milwaukee Mile is the oldest operating motor speedway in the world, and its return to the IndyCar calendar in 2026 is one of the most significant moments in the modern era of the sport. Opened in 1903 as a dirt track at the Wisconsin State Fair Park, the Mile has hosted championship-level open-wheel racing since 1933 under four different sanctions: AAA, USAC, CART, and IndyCar. Its 2026 doubleheader marks the latest chapter in a history that stretches back over 120 years.

The 1.015-mile nearly flat oval is a throwback to a different era of racing. With minimal banking - just 9 degrees in the turns - the Milwaukee Mile is essentially a flat track where mechanical grip and driver skill matter more than aerodynamic downforce. Cars slide and fight for traction through the corners in ways that modern high-banked ovals do not produce. This makes for visible, dramatic racing where the car-driver combination is everything.

The doubleheader format for 2026 adds excitement, with the Snap-on Makers and Fixers 250 on Saturday and the Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250 on Sunday. Two distinct races on consecutive days mean teams must balance setup changes, tire strategy, and repair work between events, creating a uniquely intense weekend. Milwaukee's compact, spectator-friendly layout puts fans close to the action in a way few modern facilities can match.

Getting There

Nearest Airport	Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) - approximately 10 miles south of the track. One of the closest airports to any IndyCar venue.
Nearest City	West Allis, WI (the track is within the city at Wisconsin State Fair Park). Downtown Milwaukee is about 10 minutes east.

Series That Race Here

• NTT IndyCar Series - Returns in 2026 with a doubleheader
• Historic: AAA/USAC Championship (1933-1979), CART (1980-2003), IRL/IndyCar (2004-2015)

2026 Event Info

Race 1 Name	Snap-on Makers and Fixers 250
Round	16 of 17 (Race 1 - Saturday)
Date	August 29, 2026
TV	FOX
Race Time	2:30 PM ET

Race 2 Name	Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250
Round	17 of 17 (Race 2 - Sunday)
Date	August 30, 2026
TV	FOX
Race Time	1:00 PM ET
Qualifying	Single-car qualifying for each race

Track Record

Note	2026 marks IndyCar's return after a decade away; modern records will be established with the current aero and engine package

Notable Past Races

• 2015: The most recent IndyCar race at Milwaukee before the 2026 return, marking the end of an era that fans and drivers have been eager to revive.
• 2004: The Milwaukee Mile hosted both IRL and CART races in the same season during the split era, underscoring the track's importance to American open-wheel racing.
• 1990s (CART era): Milwaukee was one of the crown jewels of the CART schedule. Drivers like Al Unser Jr., Michael Andretti, and Paul Tracy battled on the flat mile in races that are still discussed as some of the best oval racing ever produced.
• 1962: A.J. Foyt won the USAC Championship race at Milwaukee, part of his legendary career that included multiple victories at the historic oval.
• 1933: The first AAA Championship race at Milwaukee, beginning a 90+ year tradition of championship-level open-wheel racing at the Mile.

Track Facts

• The Milwaukee Mile is the oldest operating motor speedway in the world, predating the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (1909) by six years.
• The track originally opened as a dirt oval in 1903 at the Wisconsin State Fair Park and was later paved.
• The 2026 doubleheader format gives Milwaukee two championship races in one weekend, maximizing the event's impact.
• The nearly flat configuration makes the Milwaukee Mile one of the most demanding short ovals for drivers, requiring exceptional car control and mechanical grip.
• The track has hosted championship races under four different sanctions: AAA, USAC, CART, and IndyCar - a testament to its enduring significance.

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