Today’s Schedule: All on FS1 Times Eastern
10 am IndyNXT Practice
11:30 am IndyCar Practice (45 minutes guaranteed)
1:30 pm IndyNXT Qualifying
2:30 pm IndyCar Qualifying
Practices will likely be dry, but a good chance of rain and possibly thunderstorms is in the forecast for this afternoon’s qualifying sessions.
If qualifying is cancelled, the grid will be set by points standings. I would rather see a wet qualifying than a set by rule grid.
For weather updates, check @Indycar_Wxman on X.
The first practice for the Grand Prix of Alabama was another strong showing for the Andretti team, with Marcus Ericsson the fastest and Colton Herta third. Alex Palou and Team Penske are not far behind, and the way qualifying groups fall could determine how everything shakes out.
Team Penske put all three cars in the top 10. Will Power led the team in fourth.
The X factor tomorrow will be the weather. Rain is expected at times Saturday, and is likely during IndyCar qualifying.
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.
From GP St. Pete:
| Members of the City of St. Petersburg Council affirm 2026 race days at today’s meeting |
| ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (May. 1, 2025) – Green Savoree Racing Promotions and INDYCAR officials confirmed today that next year’s Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding is slated for Feb. 27 – March 1, 2026. The dates were approved unanimously via a resolution at the City of St. Petersburg City Council meeting held earlier today. “The 2025 event was another tremendous success with record crowds across the three days. After consulting with the City of St. Petersburg staff and multiple stakeholders, INDYCAR and our Green Savoree Racing Promotions teams agree continuing this great downtown tradition on similar dates is optimal,” said Kim Green, co-owner, chairman and CEO of Green Savoree Racing Promotions, organizers of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding. “We look forward to planning for and hosting the Grand Prix on the same weekend in 2026!” Three-time INDYCAR champion Alex Palou won for the first time in his career on the streets of St. Petersburg back on March 2nd. Round four of the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season is this weekend in Birmingham, Ala. at Barber Motorsports Park. Tickets for the 2026 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding will go on sale in the fall. Ongoing event updates will be posted at gpstpete.com. |
| About Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding:The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding is a race event held during Florida’s spring break season. Traditionally the site of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ season-opening race, St. Pete is a destination city hosting this annual motorsports tradition and offering a festival atmosphere with its downtown location. The 2025 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding aired live on a national broadcast on FOX on March 2. FOX Sports named the race one of its “50 Events You Can’t Miss in 2025.” The temporary circuit is a 1.8-mile, 14-turn configuration that uses the streets circling Pioneer Park, the Duke Energy Center for the Arts, The Dali Museum and extending onto the runway at Albert Whitted Airport, and borders the waterfront of Tampa Bay and picturesque St. Petersburg Harbor and Marina. The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding is owned and operated by Green Savoree St. Petersburg, LLC. Green Savoree St. Petersburg, LLC is owned by Green Savoree Racing Promotions 2, LLC whose other subsidiaries also promote three additional NTT INDYCAR SERIES races, The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio (July 4-6, 2025), Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto (July 18-20, 2025) and BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland (Aug. 8-10, 2025). For more information, visit gpstpete.com, ‘like’ its Facebook page @GPSTPETE or follow the event on X at @GPSTPETE and Instagram at @GPSTPETE using #FirestoneGP. |
From IndyCar. Look for my preview tomorrow morning.
| Race weekend: Friday, May 2-Sunday, May 4 Track: Barber Motorsports Park, a 2.3-mile, 17-turn road course (clockwise) in Birmingham, Alabama Race distance: 90 laps / 207 miles (NTT INDYCAR SERIES) | 35 laps / 80.5 miles / 55 minutes (INDY NXT by Firestone) Push-to-pass parameters: NTT INDYCAR SERIES: 200 seconds of total time, with a maximum single duration of 20 seconds. Push-to-pass is not available on the initial start or any restart unless it occurs in the final two laps or three minutes of a timed race. | INDY NXT by Firestone: 150 seconds of total time, with a maximum time of 15 seconds per activation Hybrid energy deployment parameters: Unlimited activation, with a maximum deployment of 385 kilojoules (kj) per lap Firestone tire allotment: NTT INDYCAR SERIES: Five sets primary (hard) and five sets alternate (soft) to be used during the event weekend. Teams fielding a rookie driver may use one additional set of primary tires in the first practice session. Teams must use one set of primary and one set of new (sticker) alternate tires for at least two laps in the race. INDY NXT by Firestone: Three new sets to be used during the event weekend, with one new set used for qualifying and another new set used during the race. Two carryover sets from recent testing may be used during practice. X: @BarberMotorPark @IndyCar, @INDYNXT, #INDYBHM, #IndyCar Instagram: @BarberMotorPark, @INDYCAR, #INDYBHM, #INDYCAR Facebook: @BarberMotorsportsPark, @INDYCAR, @INDYNXT, #INDYBHM, #INDYCAR TikTok: @INDYCAR, @INDYNXT, #INDYCAR YouTube: @INDYCAR Event website: www.indyalabama.com NTT INDYCAR SERIES website: www.indycar.com | INDY NXT by Firestone website: www.indynxt.com 2024 race winners: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Scott McLaughlin (No. 3 Good Ranchers Team Penske Chevrolet) INDY NXT by FirestoneJacob Abel (No. 51 ABEL Motorsports) 2024 NTT P1 Award winner (NTT INDYCAR SERIES): Scott McLaughlin (No. 3 Good Ranchers Team Penske Chevrolet), 1 minute, 5.9490 seconds, 125.552 mph 2024 INDY NXT by Firestone pole winner: Jacob Abel (No. 51 ABEL Motorsports), 1:11.3507, 116.047 Qualifying records: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Pato O’Ward, 1:05.5019, 126.409 mph, April 17, 2021 (set in Round 2 of qualifying) INDY NXT by FirestoneChristian Rasmussen, 1:10:7371, 117.053, April 29, 2023 FOX Sports telecasts: NTT INDYCAR SERIES: Practice 1, 3:30 p.m. ET, Friday, FS2 (live); Practice 2, 11:30 a.m. ET Saturday, FS1 (live); Qualifying, 2:30 p.m. ET Saturday, FS1 (live); Warmup, 10 a.m. ET Sunday, FS1 (live); Race, 1:30 p.m. ET Sunday, FOX (live). Will Buxton is the play-by-play announcer for FOX’s coverage of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, alongside analysts Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe. Georgia Henneberry, Kevin Lee and Jack Harvey are the pit reporters. | INDY NXT By Firestone: Practice 1, 2:30 p.m. ET, Friday, FS2 (live); Practice 2, 10:10 a.m. ET Saturday, FS1 (live); Qualifying, 1:30 p.m. ET Saturday, FS1 (live);Race, 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday, FS1 (live). Kevin Lee is the play-by-play announcer for FOX Sports’ coverage of INDY NXT by Firestone alongside analyst Jack Harvey. Georgia Henneberry is the pit reporter, while guest analyst Tim Cindric will join for the race telecast. INDYCAR Radio Network broadcasts: Mark Jaynes is the anchor alongside driver analyst Davey Hamilton. Nick Yeoman and Michael Young are the turn announcers. Alex Wollf, Drake York and DJ Clark are the pit reporters. The Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix powered by AmFirst race (1 p.m. ET), INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Alabama (11:25 a.m. ET) and all NTT INDYCAR SERIES practices and qualifying sessions air live on network affiliates, SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation 218, indycar.com/leaderboard and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA. All INDY NXT by Firestone practices, qualifying sessions and races are available on SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation 218, indycar.com/leaderboard and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA. At-track schedule (All Times Local/Central Time): Friday, May 2 1:30- 2:15 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone practice 1, FS2 (Live) 2:35 -3:55 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice (split group format), FS2 (Live) Saturday, May 3 9:10-9:55 a.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone practice 2, FS1 (Live) 10:30-11:30 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice (Limited green flag guarantee of 45 minutes), FS1 (Live) 12:30-1 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone qualifying (Two groups, 12-minutes each), FS1 (Live) 1:35-3 p.m. – Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix qualifying for the NTT P1 Award (three rounds of knockout qualifying), FS1 (Live) Sunday, May 4 9:02-9:27 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES warmup, FS1 (Live) 10:30 a.m. – FS1 on air 10:31 a.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Alabama “Drivers, start your engines” 10:36 a.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Alabama (35 laps/55 minutes), FS1 (Live )12:30 p.m. – FOX on air 12:40 p.m. – Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix “Drivers, start your engines” 12:47 p.m. – Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix (90 laps / 207 miles), FOX (Live) “WHAT TO LOOK FOR” AT BARBER: Dixon Needs a Barber: It can be argued that Scott Dixon is the most successful NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver in Barber Motorsports Park history, yet he doesn’t have a win to show for it. Dixon’s stat line at the 17-turn, 2.38-mile permanent road course is impressive: Nine podium finishes in 14 starts, including six runner-up finishes. That’s impressive by any measure. But he still would like a win at the track and kick off the Month of May with a W. Penske Perfect: As for reaching the top step of the podium in Birmingham, Alabama, Scott McLaughlin has been the track’s recent master, winning the last two races. In fact, Barber has been a Team Penske kind of place. Josef Newgarden has won three of the past nine races while Team Penske teammate Will Power (No. 12 Verizon 5G Chevrolet) has won two races. Power is a four-time NTT P1 Award winner at Barber, part of the record 70 poles he has scored in his career. NTT INDYCAR SERIES Notes: Kyle Kirkwood became the first NTT INDYCAR SERIES race winner this season not named Alex Palou as he earned his third career win April 13 at Long Beach. Palou finished second and leads Kirkwood by 34 points heading into the critical Month of May, which has more than 150 points on offer over the next four weeks with races at Barber Motorsports Park, Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course and the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.The Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix will be the 15th NTT INDYCAR SERIES event conducted at Barber Motorsports Park. Active race winners who are expected to compete are: Will Power, Josef Newgarden, Alex Palou, Pato O’Ward and Scott McLaughlin. Six drivers have won the race from the pole – Will Power in 2011, Ryan Hunter-Reay in 2013, Simon Pagenaud in 2016, Josef Newgarden in 2018, Takuma Sato in 2019 and Scott McLaughlin in 2024. Scott Dixon has finished on the podium in nine of his 14 previous starts at Barber Motorsports Park – including six runner-up finishes – but he has yet to finish on the top step of the podium at the picturesque road circuit.Three drivers have competed in every NTT INDYCAR SERIES race at Barber Motorsports Park – Scott Dixon, Will Power and Graham Rahal. All are entered this weekend. Team Penske has eight wins at Barber Motorsports Park (2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2023 and 2024). Andretti Autosport, Chip Ganassi Racing, Ed Carpenter Racing, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and Arrow McLaren have also won at the track. Andretti Autosport won in 2013 and 2014 with Ryan Hunter-Reay. Ed Carpenter Racing won with Josef Newgarden in 2015, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing won in 2019 with Takuma Sato, Chip Ganassi Racing won in 2021 with Alex Palou and Arrow McLaren won in 2022 with Pato O’Ward.Twenty-three of the 27 drivers entered in the event have competed in NTT INDYCAR SERIES races at Barber Motorsports Park. Eleven entered drivers have led laps: Will Power 216, Josef Newgarden 141, Scott McLaughlin 82, Rinus VeeKay 58, Alex Palou 72, Pato O’Ward 52, Scott Dixon 46, Graham Rahal 25, Santino Ferrucci 14, Alexander Rossi 3 and Felix Rosenqvist 1. Three NTT INDYCAR SERIES Rookie of the Year contenders – Jacob Abel, Louis Foster and Robert Shwartzman – are entered and will race an NTT INDYCAR SERIES car at Barber Motorsports Park for the first time, as will veteran driver Nolan Siegel. Milestones: Felix Rosenqvist will attempt to make his 100th NTT INDYCAR SERIES start … Scott Dixon will attempt to make his 343rd consecutive start, the second-longest streak in INDYCAR SERIES history. INDY NXT by Firestone Notes: INDY NXT by Firestone resumes its 2025 season this weekend at Barber Motorsports Park. Dennis Hauger led every lap to win the season opener at St. Petersburg but will face an equally tough test at Barber. Hauger and his Andretti Global teammates should enter with confidence as they have been among the fastest cars during this season’s recent testing at Nashville Superspeedway and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.The 20-car field for the INDY NXT Grand Prix of Alabama is among the largest INDY NXT by Firestone fields at Barber Motorsports Park. There were a record 21 cars last season. While none of the current field of drivers has won an INDY NXT by Firestone race at Barber, Myles Rowe has visited victory lane at the picturesque road course, winning a USF 2000 Championship race in 2022. Group qualifying will decide the starting grid on road and street circuits. Based on the best lap times from the practice session immediately preceding qualifying, the fastest driver in that session will choose which group will compete in the first of the two qualifying sessions. With 12 minutes allotted for each group (with a guarantee of one timed lap), the fastest driver between the two sessions will be awarded pole position with the drivers who finished behind that driver, in order and in that group, occupying the odd-numbered starting positions (3, 5, 7, etc.) for the race and the drivers who finished in order from the other group occupying the even-numbered starting positions (2, 4, 6, etc.). One driver and entrant championship point will be awarded to the fastest car in each qualifying group. |
Times are Central Time. Note- Friday is all on FS2.
Fastest lap- Thursday afternoon session
Combined Non-Tow Chart-all sessions
Pato O’Ward set to go out for high boost practice.
IndyCar testing concluded with a smooth, on time schedule Thursday afternoon. Weather conditions were ideal, although the wind picked up in the second half of the afternoon.
Some observations:
The two day test was good for the teams, drivers, and fans. The days had an atmosphere resembling a prequalifying practice day. Fan turnout was amazing considering the test took place in the middle of the week.
There were laps at more than 230 mph and even some qualification day type drama when Takuma Sato, one of the quickest this morning, crashed.
Hondas dominated the top half of the speed chart with only a Team Penske Chevy spoiling the party. Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin have traded turns in the top five.
Kyle Kirkwood has shown hints of being very quick, and he could become a contender when the series returns for 500 practice. Kirkwood currently heads the non-tow chart. It appears that Andretti may have a stronger presence in May than they have had the last few years.
Scott Dixon and Helio Castroneves have also shown speed.
Of course, this all could change when practice officially begins May 13.
Thge IMS Museum today received 14 cars from Chip Ganassi Racing. It is the museum’s largest acquisition. Included are five Indianapolis 500 winning cars:
The remainder of the collection includes Scott Dixon’s championship winning car from 2015.
The 500 winning caes will be on display in the museum in thew future.
Thanks for following along these past two days. Next weekend the series moves to Barber for the last race before three glorious weeks at IMS.
It took no time at all for drivers to reach 230 miles per hour as IndyCar allowed qualifying boost for the first time in an IMS practice session. Two crashes 11 minutes apart interrupted the otherwise clean running time.
Just past the halfway mark of the two and one half hour session Kyle Larson made contact with the wall in turn 1, then e slid to the inside of track. The damage looked slight, and Larson was cleared by the medical staff.
Practice resumed, but only for a moment before Takuma Sato made hard contact in turn 1, slid into turn 2 and hit the wall again. Sato had turned the second fastest lap of the day and was atop the no tow chart at the time of his accident. The car looks like a total loss.
Sato mwas treaqted and released from the infield care center.
Scott McLaughlin had the fastest single lap at 232.686. 12 drivers topped 230 mph.
Kyle Kirkwood had the best four lap average and the second best no tow speed behind Sato.
If this were Fast Friday, the pattern heading into qualifying would look familiar- Penske Chevys vs. the Honda teams. Andretti and Ganassi cars look to be near equal in speed. The pole could be one heck of a battle.
The top ten single lap speeds:
Practice resumes at 2 pm Eastern
The Pit Window by Mike Silver 