Preview: 2025 Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix at Barber Motorsports Park
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES returns to Barber Motorsports Park this weekend (May 2–4) for the 15th edition of the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix powered by AmFirst. This 2.3-mile, 17-turn road course in Birmingham, Alabama, is known for its flowing layout and scenic setting, and it’s set to deliver another thrilling chapter in the 2025 season.
Track & Race Details:
The race will run for 90 laps, totaling 207 miles. The push-to-pass system will be available with 200 seconds of use and a max duration of 20 seconds per activation. Hybrid energy deployment is unlimited, capped at 385 kilojoules per lap. Drivers will also have a Firestone tire allocation of five sets of primary (hard) and five sets of alternate (soft) tires, with mandatory use of both compounds during the race.
Scott Dixon’s Barber Challenge:
Scott Dixon, one of the series‘ most decorated drivers, has an unmatched record of consistency at Barber with nine podiums in 14 starts — including six second-place finishes. Still, a win has eluded him at this venue. Can 2025 be the year he finally breaks through?
Penske Powerhouse:
Team Penske has dominated recent editions of this race, winning eight of the 14 previous events. Scott McLaughlin enters as the two-time defending race winner, while teammates Josef Newgarden and Will Power boast multiple wins and pole positions. McLaughlin also claimed the 2024 pole and race win, showing his mastery of the track.
Championship Implications:
With the Month of May underway, this race is the start of a crucial stretch that includes the GMR Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500. Alex Palou leads the championship standings after a strong start to the season, but Kyle Kirkwood’s win in Long Beach showed that others are ready to challenge for the title.
Qualifying Storylines:
Will Power holds the all-time pole record at Barber with four. Other pole winners in the field include McLaughlin, Newgarden, O’Ward, and Rinus VeeKay. Starting position could be crucial — six of the 14 races here have been won from pole.
Rookies & Milestones:
This weekend marks the Barber debut for Rookie of the Year contenders Jacob Abel, Louis Foster, and Robert Shwartzman. Felix Rosenqvist will make his 100th career start, while Scott Dixon will make his 343rd consecutive start, extending the second-longest streak in IndyCar history.
Broadcast Info:
Fans can catch the race live on FOX at 1:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. CT Sunday. Practice and qualifying sessions will air live on FS1 and FS2 throughout the weekend. The INDYCAR Radio Network will provide live coverage across all sessions.
Philipp Kraus / Media Credit: Penske Entertainment
