Preview: Five drivers to watch out for this weekend at Barber Motorsports Park
Barber Motorsports Park has always produced exciting races and thrilling finishes. It also gives drivers a challenge with high and low speed corners, and intense elevation changes. This track gives a wonderful opportunity for drivers to unleash their true potential. Here are five drivers that could emerge and show their true potential and make potentially big impact during their 2025 campaigns.
- Jacob Abel
Last season, Abel earned his maiden IndyNXT Victory at Barber, dominating the race leading every lap from start to finish. His knowledge and momentum will carry over and help the 24 year old rookie navigate the Augusta National of Motorsports in his first appearance since switching to the IndyCar series. Look for him to navigate his way to the front.
- Christian Lundgaard
Lungaard is settling quite well into the Arrow McLaren camp. This can be seen with a quick look at the start of his 2025 campaign where he was able to impressively achieve three top tens, with two of those being podiums. During his tenure with Rahal Letterman Lanigan, two of his three appearances at Barber resulted in top ten finishes both being in sixth place. With a mixture of his past success and his still new team, Luungard will be a heavy contender in the race and potentially could bring home yet another podium.
- Santino Ferrucci
Last year, Ferrucci showed with the right equipment, he can be a contender to challenge for a win. He was able to show this by leading 14 laps which was the second most amount of laps lead and was able to bring home the car seventh after starting 17th. It is no secret the way the first three races may not have gone for him the way he’s wanted as he is still working out the quirks with his new engineer James Armbrester; however, Barber could potentially be Ferrucci’s breakout race during his 2025 campaign.
- Nolan Siegel
The 20 year old will be making his first appearance at Barber as an IndyCar driver coming into the weekend with prior success. Last year, he was able to come home with a second place finish at the IndyNXT race here in Birmingham, Alabama. His 2025 campaign has started off a little rocky however, the 4th race of the 2025 season could potentially be a breakout race for him and could be the place he earns his first top ten of the year.
- Scott McLaughlin
The Kiwi enter’s the weekend looking to race his way to a three peat. He had major success at Barber Motorsports Park prior with three out of his four appearances resulting in a top ten. You can also find him at the front when it comes to qualifying as three out of four qualifying attempts have resulted in top five starting spots with one of those being a Pole. Watch out for the thirsty threes to be a dominant factor come race day.
Written by Andrew English / Media Credit: Penske Entertainment
