Today’s Schedule: Times are Eastern
IndyNXT Practice- 2:30 pm FS2
IndyCar practice 3:30 pm FS2 * New format- 40 minutes all cars then 2 groups for 12 minutes.
The calendar says May, but the IndyCar schedule says Children’s of Alabama Grand Prix at Barber Motorsports Park. I’m not a fan of this scheduling, but as Juan Pablo Montoya would say, “It is what it is.”
Barber, known for its beautiful landscaping and whimsical artworks, is one of my favorite tracks to visit. I will not be making the trip this year, however. Since my first trip to Alabama in 2012, I have only missed two other events there.
While it would be easy to overlook this weekend’s race in anticipation of IMS, Sunday’s race is important. The hybrid makes its Barber debut, tires are still a concern, and there is the shape of the championship at the end of the day. Rain may be a factor during qualifying as well. The race looks dry for now.
From Earlier this week
I think we have a good idea of how the hybrid will work here. I don’t think it will be much of a factor. The track offers few passing opportunities, and we haven’t seen much passing this season so far.
Only one driver, Kyle Kirkwood, is within a full race of points leader Alex Palou. A Palou victory will give him a full race lead over the entire field. Palou may win one of the next three races, but I don’t think he wins this weekend.
Team Penske owns this track, with nine wins in the `14 races, and I think Scott McLaughlin will continue his recent mastery this weekend. Mclaughlin has won the last two years, and I believe he will take his third straight here. i don’t see his triple as an omen for Palou to win his third straight IMS road course race, or for Josef Newgarden going three in a row in the 500. In fact, I think McLaughlin will be the only three -peater after the checkered flag falls on May 25.
The Pit Window by Mike Silver 