Will Power is under pressure in the IndyCar championship battle and has a 54-point deficit to Alex Palou to overturn with just three races to go.
The Australian driver sits second in the standings and scored a crucial win ahead of the reigning champion Palou last time out at Portland.
Power is adamant that winning is a necessity this weekend as IndyCar returns to the Milwaukee Mile for the first time since 2015.
The doubleheader will provide two opportunities for the Team Penske driver to close the gap before the final round of the year at Nashville Superspeedway.
Will Power has ‘one option’ at the Milwaukee Mile in IndyCar
Power needs to continue taking points away from Palou as the season get toward its conclusion as he tries to clinch his third IndyCar title.
Team Penske has been the class of the field on ovals this season, taking all four race victories away from road courses and street circuits.
Power saw the chequered flag first at the end of the second race of the weekend at Iowa but has finished outside the top 10 at all three other races on ovals.
The Australians’ mixed run of form may not concern the 43-year-old, as he was very fast at Gateway before being involved in an incident in the closing stages.
He is certain that he needs to take victory at the Milwaukee Mile and told NBC Sports: “We only have one option here. We must win. It’s our only chance to fight Palou to the last race of All these laps and minutes in these sessions matter to get the most out of the car.”
Alex Palou is yet to take victory on an oval in his IndyCar career
Power has had a mixed run on ovals so far this season but the championship leader Palou is yet to take victory on an oval in his career.
The Spaniard has shown blistering speed on ovals during his career, taking pole position for the 107th Running of the Indy 500 in 2023.
Palou also had a difficult weekend at Iowa this season, crashing out of the opening race of the weekend before taking second in the following event.
Ovals are all about fine margins and require a particular driving technique. They take a long time to master and will decide the IndyCar championship.