Every part to Know For INDYCAR’s Journey to Eclectic Barber Observe

[ad_1] Barber Motorsports Park (Leeds, Ala.) — They are saying an image is value a thousand phrases.

At Barber Motorsports Park, an image is value a thousand double-takes.

From a giant spider statue in a single flip to an enormous figurine of a girl’s head in a lake to a model hanging from one of many bridges, this 2.3-mile, 17-turn highway course is picturesque and eclectic like no different.

The Barber monitor in Alabama is filled with distinctive sights.

Drivers will attempt not to concentrate to the art work across the monitor. Nicely, that is until the model Georgina falls and will get clipped by one of many vehicles prefer it did two years in the past.

They'll seemingly pay most consideration to Alex Palou, who led 81 of the 90 laps final 12 months. The Kids's of Alabama Indy Grand Prix is a part of a FOX-FS1 doubleheader of racing with protection of Barber starting at 1 p.m. ET on FOX after which the NASCAR race at Martinsville set for 3:30 p.m. ET on FS1.

Right here’s what to learn about this race weekend at Barber:

Is Alex Palou the factors chief?

No. No he's not for the second race in a row. Kyle Kirkwood, for the primary time in his 5 seasons within the sequence, leads the standings. Sure, it's only after three races of an 18-race schedule, however he's the chief.

"Hopefully it is not only for one weekend," Kirkwood informed me and different reporters Friday morning. "It’s a very good feeling to be the factors chief for the primary time ever in an INDYCAR championship. I have not led a factors championship since Indy Lights in 2021 so it is a fairly large deal.

"It is a enjoyable time to be alive in INDYCAR racing. Provided that, we're three races in. It is not likely a giant focus proper now, however it's a good feather in my cap to say I had led an INDYCAR championship. And hopefully that pattern does proceed."

Previous to coming over to the media, Palou talked to Kirkwood. He stated they weren’t speaking about factors. They have been speaking concerning the IMSA race at Sebring final weekend.

"It’s tough," the three-time defending sequence champion Palou sarcastically informed me and different reporters Friday morning about not being the factors chief. "It’s robust."

Kyle Kirkwood at present leads the sector in factors.

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Can Palou lead 81 laps once more?

He can. However very like the best way he views his general dominance from final 12 months, he views a repeat efficiency as robust.

"Final 12 months was nice for the ten automotive [of me]," Palou stated. "Who is aware of [if it will be the same]. We are going to attempt. I believe it modifications yearly. Two years in the past, we're not like that. Then final 12 months we have been. So hopefully [we are].

"It is a spot I really like. I am excited to be again on a highway course. Lastly, first one among 2026."

Palou received at Barber in 2025 after main 81 laps on the day.

Can Andretti Have Clear Pit Stops?

Andretti World groups had a tough day on pit highway at Arlington. The group didn't make modifications for Barber.

"Pit stops are usually not my job, so I simply drive the automotive, hit the marks, and that is it," Kirkwood stated. "On our automotive, we have been having a problem with the best rear, and we all know precisely what was occurring.

"We’ve been actually good at pit stops at first of the 12 months. Throughout the board, we're all quicker than we now have been. However we simply want the consistency now and to tie all of it collectively."

Kirkwood doesn’t get into suggesting what they'll do higher. He simply tries to maintain his crew motivated.

"After I noticed our rear proper man, Adam [Martin] after the race, I simply was like: Pay attention, dude, you've got been nice all season, sure, there's a few hiccups this weekend, however we all know how good you're. Do not be too exhausting on your self. We all know we'll rebound right here at Barber, and the whole lot's going to be nice," Kirkwood stated.

Who Would possibly Shock Followers?

Nolan Siegel began sixth and completed ninth at Barber final 12 months. The Arrow McLaren driver may actually use that sort of day as he has had finishes of twentieth, twentieth and twenty fourth this 12 months.

"It is fascinating and nearly extra irritating in a means as a result of I really really feel like this 12 months has felt a lot better than the vast majority of the races final 12 months," Siegel informed me and different reporters Friday morning.

"I really feel just like the crew has labored effectively collectively. I really feel just like the execution has really been fairly good, and the outcomes have been simply actually poor. We've not matched form of the best way that I felt. It’s thrilling to return right here the place we all know we'll be sturdy and simply attempt to form of get the outcomes going and get some momentum constructing."

Might Barber be the start of a greater season for Siegel?

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How Is Mick Schumacher Doing?

Former F1 driver Mick Schumacher sits final within the standings however he’s optimistic. He by no means acquired an opportunity to race at St. Pete after getting taken out on a first-lap crash. Phoenix was his first oval. After which he had a drive-through penalty for avoidable contact at Arlington.

"Total, I believe that the outcomes do not actually communicate for the efficiency that we have proven," Schumacher informed me and different reporters Friday morning.

Was There A Penalty From Arlington?

Sure, INDYCAR defined on Wednesday afternoon that Kyffin Simpson can be penalized to the tail finish of the lead lap for unavoidable contact on the restart earlier than the one-lap sprint to the end March 15 at Arlington.

Simpson completed nineteenth, as he was capable of proceed after the wreck, ending forward of Felix Rosenqvist. They ended up switching positions with Rosenqvist nineteenth and Simpson twentieth.

"I get it," Simpson informed me and different reporters on Friday morning. "The incident was my fault. I take accountability for it, so I perceive the penalty."

Kyffin Simpson will begin Barber in the back of the sector.

Will The Identical Format As Arlington Be Used For Qualifying?

No. The ultimate spherical of the six quickest drivers might be a gaggle session. INDYCAR experimented at Arlington by sending them out one after the other for one lap. The sanctioning physique continues to be evaluating whether or not to make use of that format once more.

The difficulty at Arlington was as a result of they went from slowest to quickest within the ultimate spherical. The sixth-fastest driver from the earlier spherical acquired to exit first and had extra warmth in his tires.

Do they provide an additional set of tires to be used within the ultimate spherical in the event that they go single-car? Is it that large a profit?

The most important profit is that these drivers and groups get the eye for a few minutes with no different vehicles on the monitor.

"[Those cars] ought to get publicity for that. ... Individuals speaking about them, it creates this pleasure, Crew Penske driver Scott McLaughlin informed me and different reporters Friday morning.

Are The Tire Guidelines The Identical As Arlington?

No. There are completely different tire-use guidelines on everlasting highway programs than on road programs.

The rule for road programs is that groups should use at the very least two units of soppy tires (used or new) and at the very least one set of major tires (used or new) throughout the race.

The rule for highway programs is that groups should use at the very least one set of recent delicate tires and at the very least one set of major tires (used or new) throughout the race.

What Else Ought to Followers Watch For?

There might be tributes all through the weekend to trace founder George Barber, who died in February. He was 85.

His passionate advocacy for INDYCAR and motorsports is seen all through the course, which in some methods is one large tribute to him and his imaginative and prescient.