There may be no NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver more desperate for a victory than Josef Newgarden. On Saturday at the Milwaukee Mile, he made a good start toward that goal.

Two-time series champion Newgarden (photo, above) led the opening practice for the Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250 with a top lap of 161.066 mph in the No. 2 Snap-on Team Penske Chevrolet. Newgarden, who has won at least two races per season since he joined Team Penske in 2017, last won a series race Aug. 17, 2024, at World Wide Technology Raceway.

SEE: Practice Results

“It feels good,” Newgarden said. “You’re just trying to analyze everything (in a) very compact (time). That’s INDYCAR – you hope you’re in the ballpark right away. Our car feels great.”

Newgarden will aim for his second pole of the season in NTT P1 Award qualifying at 2 p.m. ET today (FS1, FOX One, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio Network). The last time he raced at this historic, 1.015-mile oval, Newgarden crashed out on the first lap.

“I think I made it 50 feet last year in the Snap-on car, so I’d like to go a little further this year in race conditions,” Newgarden said. “The team seems ready to rock.”

Newly crowned series champion Alex Palou was second at 160.544 in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda as he seeks his third oval victory and ninth victory overall in the race at 2 p.m. ET Sunday (FOX, FOX One, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio Network). Palou clinched his third consecutive series title and fourth overall Aug. 10 after finishing third at Portland International Raceway.

Conor Daly

Conor Daly (photo, above) ended up a solid third at 160.436 in the No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet, creating a solid foundation for the weekend as he seeks his first career victory. Rinus VeeKay was fourth at 160.260 in the No. 18 askROI Honda of Dale Coyne Racing.

Marcus Ericsson, another driver in a long drought, rounded out the top five at 160.086 in the No. 28 Andretti INDYCAR Honda. Ericsson’s last victory came in the 2023 season opener at St. Petersburg.

Team Penske, which finally claimed its first win of the season Aug. 10 at Portland, placed three drivers in the top 11. Besides Newgarden atop the leader board, 2024 Milwaukee winner Scott McLaughlin was seventh in the No. 3 Sonsio Vehicle Protection Chevrolet, while 2025 Portland winner Will Power was 11th in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet.