Round 4: Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama, April 29 - May 1.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Round 4: Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama, April 29 - May 1.

This Sunday will be the 12th running of the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park.

Last year due to Covid-19, it was decided that the season opener scheduled for March 7 at St. Petersburg, would for the second year in a row not go ahead as scheduled. However, instead of the possibility that the race being initially cancelled again, as in 2020, it was decided to be put it back swapping places with Barber Motorsports Park, which would then hold the 2021 season opener on the weekend of April 16-18. This year the race is being held a little later than its usual April slot on the calendar.

Barber Motorsports Park is owned by George Barber, a successful businessman and accomplished driver, who raced Porsches in the 1960s and early '70s. He amassed a collection of motorcycles and after establishing a non-profit foundation in 1994, opened a museum displaying 325 motorcycles from around the world and some vintage cars. In 1998, he sold the family business and donated $54 million to the foundation in order to build a new museum and a road course, on which to run the collection.

In 2002, a 740 acre site east of Birmingham was chosen and a new museum was built, housing an expanded collection of 1,200 motorcycles, with Up to 600 on display at any one time. It's been certified by Guinness as the largest museum of its type.

The road course was designed by South African race track designer Alan Wilson, with three layouts. The main circuit, which is a 15-turn, 2.370-mile (3.70 km) road course, the short circuit and the club circuit.

Track layout:


Length: 2.3 Miles (3.7 Km)

Turns: 15

Lap record:
Pato O'Ward, 1:05.501, 126.409 Mph (203.4355657 Km/h),
Arrow McLaren SP,
Dallara IR18-Honda HIR21R Indy-V-6
NTT IndyCar Series.

The venue, opened in 2003 and has since hosted, Grand-Am, Vintage Racing Series events and AMA Superbike. It serves as the home of the Porsche Sport Driving School and the Kevin Schwantz Suzuki School. One feature that stands out are the series of metal sculptures around the track. The large spider alongside Turns 5-6 has lead to this section of track being nicknamed 'Charlotte's Web'.

In October 2007, Barber Motorsports Park hosted a testing session for IndyCar, the success of which led to a full-field three-day testing session in March 2009. Subsequently, an open date became available for the 2010 season race calendar, with Barber Motorsports Park making a successful bid to hold the race over Cleveland (Burke Lakefront Airport), Houston, Baltimore, Nashville, Charlotte and Portland. The first IndyCar race was held on April 11, 2010 and was won by Hélio Castroneves driving for Team Penske, in a Dallara IR05-Honda.

Some trivia:
The driver with most wins: 3.
Josef Newgarden, 2015, 2017, 2018.

The team with most wins: 6.
Team Penske, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018.

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Last year's race:
https://www.motorsport.com/indycar/n...t-win/6336801/

Pole:
Pato O'Ward, 1:05.8479, 125.744 Mph (202.365 Km/h).
Arrow McLaren SP,
Dallara IR18-Chevy V6 Indy.

Winner:
Alex Palou,
Chip Ganassi Racing,
Dallara IR18-Honda HIR21R Indy-V-6

Laps: 90
Distance: 207 Miles (333.134 Km)

Caution periods: 2
Laps: 1 - 6, 10 - 11

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Practice and Qualifications:
Friday, Apr 29. 4:00 PM - Practice 1
Saturday, Apr 30. 10:00 AM - Practice 2
Saturday, Apr 30. 1:00 PM - Qualifications

Race Broadcast:
NBC May 1, 1:00pm ET, 5:00pm UTC
Sky Sports F1, 6:00PM.

[PointDSM]

An impressive report from Barber, ticket sales are 100% sold out!



Quite impressive for a natural terrain road course.

[fieldodreams79]

It's unfortunate there are only a few places with good viewing at Barber. The access is limited due to the layout of the course (literally no infield access and nothing around the front stretch). Leads to overcrowding everywhere you can see the course. Backstretch at the kink I liked the best; you can see a little of the front stretch and the full hairpin (T5). But it is slammed!

And let's talk about the tram....

Weather looks typical for this time of year; beautiful with a chance of sketchiness. Wet race would be fun, but those little lightning bolts in the forecast...

https://weather.com/weather/weekend/...1754524d850c67

[JHamilton]

If you sit in T16 you can see the roll hoops go by while watching on the monitor.

[mstets]

I guess that it's good that it's sold out for Sunday, but I'm surprised at the comments about lack of sight lines to the track. Is it lack of good sight lines that put a limit on ticket sales? Are there places that raised grandstands could be built that would give spectators a wider view of the track? Why no infield access?

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by mstets

I guess that it's good that it's sold out for Sunday, but I'm surprised at the comments about lack of sight lines to the track. Is it lack of good sight lines that put a limit on ticket sales? Are there places that raised grandstands could be built that would give spectators a wider view of the track? Why no infield access?

All of what you asked can be answered "cause Barber"

You aren't getting stands to disturb the scenery, the track is recessed relative the viewing areas, you can't just go wherever you want to watch and you must fix your divots. Yes, he bills racers who go off the track to repair the grass

[bjohnsonsmith]

Qualifying Result:

Veekay claims his second IndyCar pole. Last year's pole sitter Pato O'ward is second with fellow McLaren driver Felix Rosenqvist rounding of the Fast 6, a notable improvement for the team. Current driver's champion Alex Palou is third.

[PointDSM]

Pretty artificial qualifying result with indycar throwing the red with a few seconds to go and a few cars with only a couple turns left. Would have bee Herta/Illoit on the front row if left to finish.

[fieldodreams79]

Since camping is limited, too, this is what you get!

https://twitter.com/marshallpruett/s...49552961269764

Looks like it'll be wet for a bit then clear off well before green flag so should be starting on slicks.

[broadrun96]

The F2000 and Lights cars ran this morning as well, Lights are drying the track out and rain looks to have moved on. Thankfully breaking up so we aren't getting rained out in the afternoon here

[joeb]

I just remembered this was on in a few minutes, made it to the tv in time, yes!

My buddy wanted to come over and work on the boat, I told him give me a couple hours I'm busy!

[joeb]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

The F2000 and Lights cars ran this morning as well, Lights are drying the track out and rain looks to have moved on. Thankfully breaking up so we aren't getting rained out in the afternoon here

Blue skies in the tv, so weather shouldn't be a factor.

I forgot that Newgarden could win a million dollars if he wins on a road course now after winning on a street and oval course.

[joeb]

Tebow is grand marshal and gets the 2 seater ride. Why?

[rustyfan]

I'm still amazed the IndyCar drivers can't seem to do rolling starts/restarts. Meanwhile the NASCAR drivers get every single rolling start/restart right.

[joeb]

That is a scary start with so many cars that close together.

[broadrun96]

I've got track radio in one ear for historic prototype/GT race at The Mitty and sadly NBC not peacock in the other. Race cars on track in front of me and on the phone cause why not

[fieldodreams79]

Roman quite aggressive but no worse for wear as Herta gets by. About the only racing thus far....

Early

[joeb]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

Roman quite aggressive but no worse for wear as Herta gets by. About the only racing thus far....

Early

I'm waiting for tires to start falling off late in the stint and that is when the passes will come for the 2 stoppers

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

I've got track radio in one ear for historic prototype/GT race at The Mitty and sadly NBC not peacock in the other. Race cars on track in front of me and on the phone cause why not

Enjoy!!

[broadrun96]

And Illot just got hatred from every 3 stopper there. Gonna help the 2s stay in front

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by joeb

I'm waiting for tires to start falling off late in the stint and that is when the passes will come for the 2 stoppers

Yup. Got racey at the time you said and Illott ran outta talent.

[fieldodreams79]

Lots of 'Hobbs clag' gathering off line!!!

[joeb]

O'ward!!!!

[fieldodreams79]

Heck of a move from Pat O!! Scott and Scott putting on a show. Ericcson and Palou trading fastest laps.

It's getting lively now!!

[broadrun96]

Gonna be a good final 15 laps. Colton needs to make speed before the reds fall off but looks like they're already going. Veekay had to be wondering what happened there