Indy NXT - INDY NXT by Firestone at Milwaukee Mile

The INDY NXT by Firestone at Milwaukee Mile brings top-level indylights competition to West Allis, Wisconsin. This event serves as a crucial stop on the Road to Indy, the developmental series that prepares young drivers for careers in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The race takes place at the Milwaukee Mile, a facility recognized as the oldest continuously operating motor speedway in the world. The venue sits within Wisconsin State Fair Park and has hosted automobile racing since 1903.

The Milwaukee Mile Circuit

The Milwaukee Mile features a paved oval that measures 1.015 miles in length. The track includes 9-degree banking in the turns, which creates unique racing conditions. Drivers cannot run flat out through the corners, resulting in multiple passing opportunities in both the turns and straightaways. This configuration makes the oval drive more like a road course, demanding precision and skill from competitors.

The facility accommodates approximately 37,000 spectators in its grandstands and bleachers. Handicap seating is available throughout the grandstand levels. The venue includes a media center, an inner paddock for vehicle staging, and accessible restroom facilities. An infield road course also exists at the facility, though the INDY NXT by Firestone race runs on the oval configuration.

INDY NXT Technical Specifications

All INDY NXT by Firestone competitors use the Dallara IL-15 chassis. This carbon fiber single-seat design incorporates safety components that meet FIA specifications, including a cockpit protection device known as the halo. The chassis weighs between 1,430 and 1,490 pounds on oval tracks.

An Advanced Engine Research (AER) P63 turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine powers each car. The 2.0-liter engine produces 450 horsepower, with an additional 50 horsepower available through the Push-to-Pass system. The AER engine runs an entire season without requiring a rebuild, providing reliability and cost control for teams.

Firestone supplies all tires for the indylights series. This single-tire specification helps drivers learn tire management and performance characteristics they will encounter in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The cars also feature an Xtrac 6-speed sequential gearbox with electronic shift actuation and a fully independent pushrod suspension at both front and rear.

Road to Indy Development Path

INDY NXT by Firestone represents the final step in the Road to Indy ladder system. The series provides young drivers with experience in high-powered open-wheel cars on both oval and road course configurations. Many current INDYCAR stars developed their skills through this program, including Scott Dixon, Josef Newgarden, Pato O'Ward, and Colton Herta.

The Milwaukee Mile race offers drivers valuable oval racing experience. The track's unique banking and configuration present challenges that prepare competitors for various oval venues they may encounter in their professional careers. Teams and crew members also gain important experience in oval race strategy and setup work.

Milwaukee Mile Racing History

The Milwaukee Mile began as a private horse-racing track in 1876. The Agricultural Society of the State of Wisconsin acquired the land in 1891 to establish a permanent site for the Wisconsin State Fair. The first automobile race occurred on September 11, 1903, when William Jones won the inaugural five-lap speed contest.

The track operated as a dirt surface until 1954, when it was paved with asphalt. Throughout its history, the Milwaukee Mile has hosted races sanctioned by AAA, USAC, NASCAR, CART/CCWS, and the IndyCar Series. Legendary drivers such as Ralph DePalma, Rex Mays, A.J. Foyt, Al Unser, and Mario Andretti have competed at this facility.

The indylights series, under its previous name Indy Lights, ran events at the Milwaukee Mile during multiple periods including 1986–2001, 2004–2009, and 2011–2015. The return of INDY NXT by Firestone to this historic venue continues a long tradition of open-wheel racing at the facility.

Notable Venue Features

The Milwaukee Mile has hosted at least one automobile race every year since 1903, with the exception of years during U.S. involvement in World War II. This consistency has earned it recognition as the oldest continuously operating motor speedway globally.

From 1934 to 1951, the track's infield served as a home field for the Green Bay Packers NFL team. The area, known as the "Dairy Bowl," hosted several games each season, including the 1939 NFL Championship game. The current start-finish line of the oval track sits where the 50-yard line of the football field once stood.

The Snap-on INDYCAR Weekend features multiple racing series beyond INDY NXT by Firestone. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES runs a doubleheader event, and the USF Pro 2000 series also competes. This multi-series format provides fans with extensive open-wheel racing action throughout the weekend.

Fan Experience and Access

The event includes a free Fan Zone where spectators can interact with drivers through appearances and autograph sessions. Vintage Indy presents an interactive display celebrating over a century of open-wheel racing heritage. These activities provide fans with opportunities to engage with the sport beyond watching the on-track competition.

Youth aged 11 and under receive free general admission grandstand tickets, making the event accessible for families. The facility's location in West Allis, Wisconsin, within Wisconsin State Fair Park, provides convenient access for regional and traveling fans.

What Makes This Event Special

The INDY NXT by Firestone at Milwaukee Mile combines modern open-wheel racing with historic significance. Drivers compete on the same surface where racing legends built their careers over more than a century. The track's unique characteristics create close racing and frequent passing, showcasing driver skill and car setup expertise.

For fans following the indylights series, the Milwaukee Mile race offers insight into which drivers can adapt to oval racing demands. Success on this track often indicates a driver's readiness to advance to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, where oval racing remains a critical component of the championship.

The combination of high-level competition, historic venue, and family-friendly atmosphere makes the INDY NXT by Firestone at Milwaukee Mile a noteworthy event on the open-wheel racing calendar. The race provides entertainment for dedicated racing fans while serving as an important development opportunity for future stars of the sport.