This weekend, the 2025 Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix—the fourth round of the NTT IndyCar Series—returns to Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama. The three‑day event runs May 2–4, with the 90‑lap, 214.2‑mile Grand Prix taking the green flag on Sunday, May 4 at 1:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
Track Overview
Nestled in the rolling terrain of the American Tobacco Trail, Barber’s permanent road course measures 2.38 miles and features 17 turns, significant elevation changes and a mix of high‑speed straights and technical corners that demand precision and tire management.
Season Context
This event kicks off a brutal stretch in which teams will find themselves on track 14 of the next 18 weekends, all chasing race wins and the prestigious Astor Challenge Cup.
Returning Champions & Key Storylines
- Scott McLaughlin: Last year’s Barber winner and pole sitter dominated by leading 58 of 90 laps, and will aim to rebound after mixed results in the season opener.
- Will Power: A two‑time Barber champion and four‑time pole winner at this circuit, Power boasts 216 career laps led and 11 top‑five finishes here—making him a perennial contender.
- Álex Palou: The current championship leader opened 2025 with two victories and a runner‑up finish, holding a 34‑point cushion, and has posted four consecutive top‑five finishes at Barber.
Qualifying & Milestones to Watch
- Barber’s qualifying has produced nine different poles in the last nine races, and this weekend’s battle should feature contenders like Kyle Kirkwood, Felix Rosenqvist and Christian Lundgaard.
- Felix Rosenqvist will celebrate his 100th career IndyCar start, becoming the eighth driver in this weekend’s 27‑car field to reach the milestone.
Weekend Schedule Highlights
- Friday, May 2: Practice 1 at 3:30 p.m. ET (FS2, INDYCAR Radio)
- Saturday, May 3: Practice 2 at 11:30 a.m. ET; NTT P1 Award qualifying at 2:30 p.m. ET (FS1, INDYCAR Radio)
- Sunday, May 4: Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix at 1:30 p.m. ET (FOX, FOX Sports App, INDYCAR Radio Network)
How to Watch
- Television: FOX (race), FS1/FS2 (practice & qualifying)
- Streaming: FOX Sports App, INDYCAR Radio Network
Final Thoughts
With championship points tight and Barber’s unforgiving surface ready to bite, expect a thrilling mix of strategy, tire degradation and flat‑out wheel‑to‑wheel action. Whether a series veteran reasserts dominance or a rising star breaks through, the 2025 Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix promises high‑stakes drama all weekend long.
