Milwaukee, WI
Raindrops livened up IndyCar at the Milwaukee Mile. What a delightful twist for State Fair Park
Milwaukee Mile IndyCar winner Christian Rasmussen on racing Alex Palou
Christian Rasmussen explains how he chased down four-time champion Alex Palou and passed him at the Milwaukee Mile for his first IndyCar victory.
WEST ALLIS – In perhaps the most ironic twist possible in this 15-day span at State Fair Park, a five-second sprinkle made all the difference in the Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250.
Two Sundays earlier, the final day of State Fair, itself, was canceled after 10 inches of rain had flooded the grounds, leaving cars parked on the Milwaukee Mile swamped to their windowsills.
The turnaround already was going to be a challenge.
A staff already exhausted from 11 days of their namesake event – or 9.8 days as it turned out – had less than two weeks to prepare for IndyCar. In 2024, the series helped organize its return to the historic venue, but this time full responsibility would fall on the facility’s staff.
So seeing a favorable forecast for race weekend did everything to lift spirits.
It’s no sure thing, selling Indy car racing, even at a track that’s been around longer than the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in a town that used to support more than one race a year. Several promoters found that out in the 2000s, resulting in a nine-year gap from the most recent failure to the latest return.
The stands were largely full Aug. 24, and advance sales were enough in the week leading up to the race that additional sections of the grandstand were opened for ticket sales.
In turn, the fans were rewarded with a surprise ending and a first-time winner, Christian Rasmussen.
“We’d returned to this track a couple times since I’ve been doing this,” said winning team owner Ed Carpenter, a longtime participant in the series as driver and car owner. “But it seems like it’s finally working.
“The combination and the growth and the strength of (Milwaukee) and also Road America (in Elkhart Lake), we’ve got a strong fan base. We need to keep building on it.
“I’d love to see when we come back next year that we don’t have to have the sponsor covers on the stands coming down into Turn 1. We want to keep pushing that and getting it better and better. It’s a great racetrack, a ton of history. The past two years it’s been a great show. So I’m happy it’s working.”
Some perspective is needed here.
The grandstand holds about 19,000 people. It was mostly full but not completely. Counting spectators in the infield is tough, but they do count the same as the hospitality guests on the outside of the track and they are hardcore fans, the people who lobbied for IndyCar to give the Mile another try.
As Carpenter mentioned, tarps cover many sections of bleachers. Those seats were needed 30 years ago, around the time the stands were rebuilt. But the IndyCar of today isn’t what the sport was 30 years ago, or 50, when USAC filled the place.
So no, this isn’t the golden age, but pushing 20,000 for a race on a short oval is a very solid effort for this point in history. Smiles outnumbered complaints hundreds of times over.
The first 200 laps of the race weren’t as compelling as either end of the 2024 doubleheader, but blame that on two factors. First, that weekend set a ridiculously high bar. And second, Alex Palou was doing what he has done often in 2025, carving up the field with surgical precision.
But a funny thing happened on Palou’s way to a ninth win in 16 races.
It rained.
Nothing like the 1,000-year flood, mind you, not the sort that swamps Fair-goers’ cars parked on the track up to their windows. But a couple of drops, from who knows where. And so flew the yellow flag.
“Even though it was not good for me, I agree with the decision,” said Palou, the already-crowned four-time champion. “Maybe in Turn 1 or Turn 3, suddenly you spin because they didn’t call the yellow, so …”
So it was decision time.
If there was one thing learned from 2024 it was the value of fresh tires. Palou had stopped with 54 laps to go, and the caution flag came out 13 laps later. Some teams would bring their drivers back in and hope to make up the distance on new tires. If Palou pitted again, someone else would have gambled and stayed out to try to beat him that way.
For Palou, the call was 50-50. For Rasmussen, sitting in seventh, it was a no-brainer.
“We talked about this before the race, knowing if there’s going to be a late yellow, we set kind of the margin if you can have a 20-lap advantage on the other cars, that’s going to make a big difference,” Rasmussen said. “That’s what we did.
“I’ve been very comfortable on especially the new tires even passing other cars (on the same strategy). We were doing that pretty well early in the stints. I was feeling good.”
The aggressive, 25-year-old Dane restarted seventh, cut his way through the field, went wheel-to-wheel with Palou for a lap and then pulled away over the final 16 laps.
“I knew he was going to race hard,” Palou said. “He was going to pass me or go to the wall.”
Rasmussen’s reputation is that he is aggressive and fearless, but he is more than that.
As he pointed out, he has not fallen out of any races this season because of mistakes he has made, only due to mechanical issues. Rasmussen sat out three races in his 2024 rookie season while Carpenter drove the short-oval races at Iowa Speedway and World Wide Technology Raceway before Rasmussen took over the No. 21 Chevrolet completely. Five of his six top-10 finishes in 2025 have come on ovals. Rasmussen’s first win was only a matter of time.
“People talk about they don’t like everything he does,” Carpenter said. “We haven’t asked him to change one thing. He’s attacking and being aggressive, not settling for anything. That’s the mentality we want to have as a team.”
And to think, a sprinkle made the outcome possible.
Had Palou won again, fans would remember his dominance, a hallmark of the NTT IndyCar Series in 2025. The number of laps Palou led – 199, and it would have been 215 – would have overshadowed the fact that the race included 685 passes, second-most in series history to the first Milwaukee race in 2024, including 48 by Rasmussen.
Cheers overpowered engine noise when Rasmussen won. The donuts he turned on the front stretch were as popular as a cream puff.
The race and celebration were the sort of lift State Fair Park needed as it tries to rebuild a tradition and as it begins negotiations to extend its contract to bring IndyCar to the Mile beyond 2026.
“Personally I had a bunch of my family here, in the stands, hanging out,” said Scott McLaughlin, the New Zealander who finished third. “Not far from the city. The fairgrounds at the back … it’s unreal.
“Massive credit goes out to Wisconsin State Fair Park. … I was really happy to have a big crowd today, seeing them in the grandstands, it was awesome.”
So was the devilish twist delivered by an unseen cloud.
Illegal dumping plagues closed Pick ‘n Save
Neighbors say since a Milwaukee Pick ‘n Save at 35th and North closed in 2025, the parking lot has been filling up, but not with cars or people. It has been attracting illegal dumpers.
MILWAUKEE – Neighbors say since the Milwaukee Pick ‘n Save at 35th and North closed in 2025, the parking lot has been filling up, but not with cars or people. It has been attracting illegal dumpers.
Trash piling up
What we know:
There are old mattresses and furniture in the parking lot. There are piles of garbage at the entrance of the old grocery store. Behind the building, there are tires, more mattresses and more trash.
Illegal dumping at former grocery store near 35th and North, Milwaukee
The Pick ‘n Save stores closed in July 2025. Since then, the building has sat empty.
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FOX6 News was contacted by a man who manages senior and family housing in the area. He said in the last couple of months, he has noticed the stile turn into a place for illegal dumping. The man said he was so fed up, he called the office of Milwaukee Alderman Russell Stamper about the problem. The man said the whole site is an eyesore, and something needs to change.
Illegal dumping at former grocery store near 35th and North, Milwaukee
Change sought
What they’re saying:
“As the snow melts, it’s full of garbage. People are dumping furniture on it, tires,” said Jeffrey Sessions, who manages nearby property. “If you drive around it, it’s garbage everywhere. It’s unsightly for the neighborhood, and it’s probably going to create rats and mice problems.”
FOX6 News reached out to the Department of Neighborhood Services. Officials said the dumping has not been reported. They said the department’s commercial team will now be made aware of the issue.
Illegal dumping at former grocery store near 35th and North, Milwaukee
“It makes the whole neighborhood look like garbage, like nobody’s taking care of anything around here,” Sessions said. “It’s a detriment, it’s unsightly, and it needs to be addressed.”
Illegal dumpers could face fines
Dig deeper:
If the dumpers are caught on camera, they could face fines.
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The owner of the property may also be ordered to clean it up.
Illegal dumping at former grocery store near 35th and North, Milwaukee
The Source: Information in this post was provided by a person who owns property near the former grocery store, as well as Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services.
Your quick guide to Milwaukee concerts in spring 2026
Here’s a look at some of the top acts coming to the Milwaukee area from March through May 2026.
Travel to Ireland, learn how to catch a fish, visit wildlife at the zoo, and see costumed characters this weekend in Milwaukee.
Anime Milwaukee
The 2026 “Magical Academy” themed animation convention comes to the Baird Center, 400 W. Wisconsin Ave., and Hilton Milwaukee City Center March 6-8. The weekend features Japanese industry guests and cultural experts, artists and official merchandise, gaming, music, dance, manga, cosplay, anime and Asian fashion. New this year is the Nocturna Anime Bar with a lounge and specialty drinks, including nonalcoholic beverages. Exhibit hall hours are 1 to 8 p.m. March 6, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 7 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 8. Full weekend access is $100; single day access is $50-$75. animemilwaukee.org
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show
The 85th year of the Sports Show is at State Fair Park’s Wisconsin Exposition Center, 8200 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis, from noon to 7 p.m. March 6, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 7 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 8. Along with outdoor exhibitors, see what’s swimming in the trout pond, watch the lumberjack show and the fastest retriever race, or catch the archery and air rifle tournaments. General admission tickets at the door are $15; youth tickets (ages 6-14) are $6. In honor of Women’s Day on March 8, all women receive $10 admission at the door. Check out the full schedule at jssportsshow.com.
Gardens & Gears: Steampunk Faire
Celebrate the industrial age at the Gardens & Gears art fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 7 at the Mitchell Park Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd. The immersive garden event features creators, costumes and live entertainment, with gears, goggles and handcrafted mechanical curiosities on display in the gardens. Domes admission required. mitchellparkdomes.com
Milwaukee County Zoo Family Free Day
Everyone receives free admission at the Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 W. Blue Mound Road, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 7. See the red pandas in their outdoor habitat, lions, penguins and more. Parking and regular attraction fees still apply. milwaukeezoo.org
Irish Family Day
Travel to the Irish countryside during “Passport to Ireland” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 8 at the CelticMKE Center, 1532 N. Wauwatosa Ave., Wauwatosa. With Irish dance, arts, crafts and storytelling, each county will be featured with an activity that celebrates Irish culture, history and traditions. Buy one, get one free Irish Fest tickets will be available to purchase, with lunch, beverages and snacks served in the Celtic Café. Admission is $10 at the door. celticmke.com
What’s new in Milwaukee-area theaters this weekend
Marcus Theatres: See a marathon of the 2026 Best Picture nominees at select theater locations. Day one of the marathon is March 7 and features “Sentimental Value,” “F1: The Movie,” “The Secret Agent,” “Bugonia,” and “Sinners.” The marathon resumes March 14 with a new set of films. Visit marcustheatres.com.
Milwaukee Film: Women’s History Month programming features the action films of Michelle Yeoh. See her Oscar-winning performance in “Everything Everywhere All At Once” screening at 6 p.m. March 6 at the Oriental Theatre.
“Hoppers”: A robotic animal with a human mind helps real animals thwart a plot to destroy their habitat in this Disney and Pixar feature film. See it at AMC Mayfair Mall; Avalon Theater; Marcus Theatres’ BistroPlex Southridge, Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Movie Tavern Brookfield Square, North Shore, Ridge, South Shore cinemas; Rosebud Cinema.
“The Bride!”: A lonely Frankenstein (Christian Bale) travels to 1930s Chicago to ask a scientist (Annette Bening) to create a companion. See it at AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ BistroPlex Southridge, Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Movie Tavern Brookfield Square, North Shore, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.
“Protector”: A veteran war hero (Milla Jovovich) must use the violent skills she thought she left behind to save her daughter. See it at Marcus Theatres’ BistroPlex Southridge, Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Movie Tavern Brookfield Square, North Shore, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.
Milwaukee DA Kent Lovern discusses if Brady List cops should testify
MPD officer Gregory Carson Jr. was placed on a list of officers with credibility issues. That didn’t prevent his ability to testify in court.
Josue Ayala has resigned from the Milwaukee Police Department days after he was charged with a crime over his alleged misuse of license plate-reading Flock technology.
Ayala, 33, pleaded not guilty to one count of attempted misconduct in public office during his initial court appearance on March 4.
The charge is a misdemeanor that carries a potential maximum penalty of nine months in jail and $10,000 fine.
Milwaukee is one in a growing number of communities nationally that have started using Flock cameras to help locate stolen vehicles, identify vehicles used in violent crimes, and track vehicles associated with missing persons. The technology is controversial and been criticized by civil rights and privacy advocates.
Conducting searches for personal reasons is a violation of department policies.
Prosecutors say Ayala used the Flock camera system while on duty more than 120 times to look up the license plate of someone he was dating. They believe Flock technology also was used on a second license plate, one belonging to that person’s ex, 55 times, according to a criminal complaint, filed Feb. 24 in Milwaukee County Circuit Court.
Ayala joined the Milwaukee Police Department in 2017, and his total gross pay was about $120,000 in 2024, according to the most recent city salary data available.
Milwaukee police confirmed in a March 4 email to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Ayala has resigned from the department.
Ayala and his attorney Michael J. Steinle, of Milwaukee, would not speak to reporters as they left the courtroom.
Prosecutors say the department became aware of the allegations against Ayala after a driver saw that they were the subject of searches through the website, www.haveibeenflocked.com, which collects and publishes “audit logs” of searches of the Flock system by police agencies.
The driver saw that Ayala had searched the plate numerous times, which prompted the driver to file a complaint with the Milwaukee Police Department.
Detectives then audited Ayala’s searches in the Flock system from March 26, 2025, through May 26, 2025.
Ayala is at least the second Wisconsin officer to face criminal charges for misuse of the Flock system. A Menasha police officer was charged in January for tracking an ex-girlfriend’s car.
Milwaukee police began using Flock cameras in 2022. MPD has a $182,900 contract with Flock for the use of the technology. That contract is active through January 2027.
Court Commissioner Dewey B. Martin released Ayala on a $2,500 signature bond March 4.
Signature bonds, sometimes referred to as a personal recognizance bond, allow a defendant to leave custody without paying cash as long as they sign a promise to appear for their upcoming court dates.
Martin also ordered Ayala not to contact the two victims in the case.
Ayala also must report to the Milwaukee County Jail to be booked on March 9. If he doesn’t show up, a bench warrant will be issued for his arrest.
Ayala is scheduled to appear for a pre-trial conference on April 17.
David Clarey of the Journal Sentinel contributed to this story.
Chris Ramirez covers courts for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached at caramirez@usatodayco.com.
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