Nolan Siegel is heading into the doubleheader at the Milwaukee Mile in IndyCar feeling confident of scoring a podium after proving his credentials on short ovals.
The circuit is returning to the calendar for the first time since 2015 and provides a unique challenge with relatively little banking than other ovals.
During the last round on an oval, Siegel performed admirably, taking seventh place for Arrow McLaren at World Wide Technology Raceway in IndyCar.
At the beginning of the weekend in Milwaukee, the American had a productive practice session. He completed 66 laps around and was fractionally slower than his teammate Alexander Rossi.
Nolan Siegel believes he can fight for the podium at the Milwaukee Mile
The 19-year-old has endured a difficult season, beginning at the $1 Million Challenge at The Thermal Club before being agonisingly bumped out of the field ahead of the Indy 500.
Siegel has raced for multiple teams this season but has finally found some stability at Arrow McLaren and will race for the rest of the year.
The seventh-place finish at Gateway was a breakthrough moment for the driver of the No. 6 car, as it was the first time he led an IndyCar race, leading eight laps.
He explained that Gateway was his best weekend in the series and is optimistic that he can deliver a podium finish in Milwaukee.
Siegel told NBC Sports: “I think we had our strongest weekend for sure at Gateway. We were super competitive, and despite not having a perfect race by any means, finished seventh, and I think there was a lot of potential for more.
“So hopefully we can clean some things up and put a result together that this whole team deserves. I think that we can be fighting for the podium at these short ovals.”
Nolan Siegel is learning a lot ahead of the 2025 season in IndyCar
Siegel is expected to remain at Arrow McLaren for the 2025 season, driving the No. 6 car, which he has already developed throughout the campaign.
Heading into next season, he will have already driven on most of the circuits in an IndyCar, which will make life easier at the start of a weekend.
The extra experience will allow him to focus on setting up the car and building performance rather than learning a brand-new track.
He has shown moments of brilliance throughout his partial campaign and will benefit from competing at one of IndyCar’s top teams.