“The series has moved too slowly,” Pato O’Ward strongly claimed after a whirlwind of NASCAR updates hit him. The IndyCar icon was furious to know that the rival American racing series reached his home country before his own did. Despite all his logical arguments and vehement protests, the IndyCar elite received a nasty reply instead. However, O’Ward used this chance to ‘cook’.

The seasoned driver rubbed it in the higher-up’s face with a brand-new win. Besides achieving a racing milestone himself, O’Ward also proved that he has what it takes to pull IndyCar forward. His Team Penske co-racer is all for it, as he denounces NASCAR. Even fans do not disagree.

NASCAR riles up IndyCar star and his rival cooks

New Year’s Eve is still a solid four months away. Yet NASCAR is rolling its sleeves for a grand schedule for 2025. The dazzling addition to their Cup Series schedule is a points-paying race in Mexico City, with Daniel Suarez at the helm of this project. Yet this sent ripples of dejection in the sport’s open-wheel neighbor, IndyCar. A superb Mexican talent drives there as well – Pato O’Ward. Yet IndyCar CEO Mark Miles did not believe so, as he strongly claimed O’Ward is not so “famous” to propel the series to Mexico.

That prompted a severe backlash from the IndyCar driver community and fanbase. But the man himself, Pato O’Ward, gave the best response possible. In the first race of the Hy-Vee Milwaukee Mile 250s, he led a race-high 133 laps and finished 1.8215 seconds ahead of 2014 Milwaukee winner Will Power. This marked O’Ward’s seventh win in 87 NTT IndyCar Series starts, and also the second oval win since 2022. What better way to prove your star power than dazzling fans with a win? And post-win, he had a savage response to offer to the IndyCar elite.

Runner-up Will Power, a Team Penske driver, could not help but harp on the issue that sparked Pato O’Ward’s controversy. Power said in the post-race presser, bashing NASCAR for getting ahead of his series. “IndyCar should be in Mexico City, not NASCAR.” And the Milwaukee winner was armed with the perfect response to Mike Miles. He simply remarked: “Pato who?” This came from a driver who needs security to navigate racetracks, as hordes of fans mob him for autographs.

And in a resounding response to O’Ward and Power’s savage conversation, fans rallied in support. NASCAR is clearly getting raps for reaching Mexico before IndyCar.

Fans love sipping the tea

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Remember the online slugfest between Denny Hamlin and Marcus Smith? Well, if that was about improving tracks, this slugfest takes it a notch higher at the level of improving an entire series. Pato O’Ward and Mike Miles engaged in the debate about taking IndyCar to Mexico, and it is clear that the former has gained the upper hand. His savage response post-Milwaukee endeared fans further. A hyped-up fan said: “THE TEA IS BOILING! @IndyCar” And then another fan was simply dazzled by O’Ward’s sharp sense of wit. “Let him cook please.”

Pato O’Ward is not some Tom, Dick, and Harry as the IndyCar CEO suggested. He already owns three wins in the 2024 season, currently standing 5th in points. His other achievements speak for themselves – O’Ward is the 2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar champion in the Prototype Challenge class and a two-time class winner at the Rolex 24 At Daytona. So one fan aptly said: “Pato three time race winner in 2024 that’s who.” 

Others simply hailed the Mexican speedster’s glory both on the racetrack and in online fights. One fan said, “what a king i can’t lie.” Somebody else agreed: “what an icon.”

Evidently, NASCAR’s Mexican plans are going to stoke these IndyCar flames for some time. With fans rallying in favor of Milwaukee winner Pato O’Ward, IndyCar may soon be compelled to follow in NASCAR’s footsteps.