Milwaukee Mile: INDYCAR SERIES racing returns to West Allis for 2024

WEST ALLIS, Wis. - INDYCAR SERIES racing is returning to the Milwaukee Mile in 2024 for the first time in nine years, officials announced on Monday, Sept. 25. A news release says the Milwaukee Mile lands on the INDYCAR SERIES schedule for Labor Day weekend. 

The Milwaukee Mile began hosting INDYCAR SERIES racing in 1939 and has featured wins by legendary drivers such as Rodger Ward (seven), Michael Andretti (five), Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt, Gordon Johncock, Johnny Rutherford, Tom Sneva, Paul Tracy, Al Unser and Bobby Unser (four each).

"As we looked at the way we could really change the look of our series by having more oval events, Milwaukee was certainly on our eye," said Indy Racing icon Roger Penske, the Chairman of Penske Corporation. "We're committed. We've invested heavily in the track at Indianapolis and also certainly in the series. And it's important that we take this series to places that are long-staying capabilities, which is what we have here."

Roger Penske

Wisconsin State Fair Park CEO Shari Black also hinted that the fairgrounds would feature prominently in the weekend racing series. She said the Central Mall area will likely come to life with vendors.

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"In the past, it's always been along Grandstand Avenue, which is right outside of the track," Black said. "So we're trying to go more into the fair and have more of that festival feel. A lot of our vendors bring in their own music acts. So we're hoping they'll do that as well. So just kind of that festival type feeling is what we're looking for."

State Fair Park CEO Shari Black

The one-mile oval in West Allis also will showcase the NTT INDYCAR SERIES racing with a doubleheader weekend for the first time in the track’s history, providing two crucial races during the homestretch of the 2024 championship. Download the current INDYCAR SERIES schedule for 2024. 

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"Let me just say this. We’re not coming here for one year. I hope it’s decades because it should be on the schedule," Penske said. "Success would be having 30,000 people here, fill the grand stands and have the corporate sponsorship at the highest level and produce the best racing here in many years. 
 

In addition to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, the rising stars of racing will also compete at the Milwaukee Mile during the Aug. 30-Sept. 1 weekend. INDY NXT by Firestone (formerly Indy Lights), which has hosted 27 races at the iconic track in its history, will also return to the Mile in 2024. More information on the Labor Day weekend festival will be announced in the coming weeks.  

"People want to see racing here at the Milwaukee Mile. We’re just excited to be able to add another race to that list," Black said. "I hope we have a really successful race and everyone comes out to watch it."

"I just want to see some fans in the stands. That’s the next thing," Penske said.

Complete INDYCAR announcement

Tickets for next season’s INDYCAR weekend at the Milwaukee Mile are expected to go on sale in January. Fans interested in purchasing tickets can sign up now and learn more.

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Reaction

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley

"I’m pleased to welcome IndyCar back to Milwaukee in 2024. Thanks to the strong partnership between the Milwaukee Mile, Wisconsin State Fair Park, and IndyCar Racing, the national spotlight will be on Milwaukee during Labor Day weekend for the first-ever IndyCar Series double header. Not only is this an exciting announcement for IndyCar Racing fans, but due to the Act 12 sales tax increase, this event will be a huge economic driver for our county. I’m looking forward to bringing racing back to the historic Milwaukee Mile."