Grand Prix of Alabama: Difference between revisions
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The opportunity to pursue the event came after the Detroit Indy Grand Prix was discontinued. With an open date available, Birmingham made its pitch to IRL officials and was selected to hold the event over Cleveland, Houston, Baltimore, Nashville, Charlotte and Portland, Oregon. IRL cited both strong support from both local and state government in addition to the large crowd the attended an IRL training session in March 2009 as factors in Birmingham being selected for the race. | The opportunity to pursue the event came after the Detroit Indy Grand Prix was discontinued. With an open date available, Birmingham made its pitch to IRL officials and was selected to hold the event over Cleveland, Houston, Baltimore, Nashville, Charlotte and Portland, Oregon. IRL cited both strong support from both local and state government in addition to the large crowd the attended an IRL training session in March 2009 as factors in Birmingham being selected for the race. | ||
In September [[2010]], American Honda signed on as title sponsor for the | In September [[2010]], American Honda signed on as title sponsor for the 2011–13 Grand Prix of Alabama races. In [[2013]] Indycar CEO Jeff Belskus announced that the event would continue at least through [[2016]]. | ||
==2013 race== | |||
The [[2013]] event was held on [[April 6]]-[[April 7|7]]. Grand Marshal for the race was [[Bo Jackson]]. | |||
==2012 race== | ==2012 race== | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
* Tomberlin, Michael (July 26, 2009) "Indy Car race coming to Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama." | * Tomberlin, Michael (July 26, 2009) "Indy Car race coming to Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama." {{BN}} | ||
* MacDonald, John A. (July 28, 2009) "IRL helps land Barber on the map." | * MacDonald, John A. (July 28, 2009) "IRL helps land Barber on the map." {{BN}} | ||
* Tomberlin, Michael (January 28, 2010) "With Indy Grand Prix of Alabama at the Barber Motorsports Park, comes opportunity." | * Tomberlin, Michael (January 28, 2010) "With Indy Grand Prix of Alabama at the Barber Motorsports Park, comes opportunity." {{BN}} | ||
* Piper, Ben (September 9, 2010) "American Honda signs on as Grand Prix of Alabama sponsor." | * Piper, Ben (September 9, 2010) "American Honda signs on as Grand Prix of Alabama sponsor." {{BBJ}} | ||
* "Power leads IndyCar race wire-to-wire at Alabama" (April 10, 2011) Associated Press | * "Power leads IndyCar race wire-to-wire at Alabama" (April 10, 2011) Associated Press | ||
Revision as of 13:36, 7 April 2013
The Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama is an Indy Racing League IndyCar Series open-wheel race held at the Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham. Officially announced on July 27, 2009, the inaugural event took place over the weekend of April 9-11, 2010. Organizers moved the Porsche 250 from July to the same weekend to coincide with the IndyCar race. The event is under contract through the 2013 season and under the management of the local group Zoom Motorsports and will be televised nationally on either ABC or Versus. The venue is designed to allow for nearly 100,000 spectators and will have an estimated economic impact on Greater Birmingham of $30 million.
The opportunity to pursue the event came after the Detroit Indy Grand Prix was discontinued. With an open date available, Birmingham made its pitch to IRL officials and was selected to hold the event over Cleveland, Houston, Baltimore, Nashville, Charlotte and Portland, Oregon. IRL cited both strong support from both local and state government in addition to the large crowd the attended an IRL training session in March 2009 as factors in Birmingham being selected for the race.
In September 2010, American Honda signed on as title sponsor for the 2011–13 Grand Prix of Alabama races. In 2013 Indycar CEO Jeff Belskus announced that the event would continue at least through 2016.
2013 race
The 2013 event was held on April 6-7. Grand Marshal for the race was Bo Jackson.
2012 race
The 2012 race was held on March 30–April 1. Will Power successfully defended his title, finishing 3.3709 seconds ahead of third-time runner-up Scott Dixon.
2011 race
The 2011 race was held April 10. Rick & Bubba served as Grand Marshals. Ruben Studdard performed the national anthem.
Australian Will Power started from the pole from the second straight year and never trailed, finishing 3.38 seconds ahead of Scott Dixon. Dario Franchitti was third.
2010 inaugural race
The 2010 race was held on April 11. Charles Barkley was grand marshal and Taylor Hicks sang the national anthem.
Will Power took the pole during qualifying.
Helio Castraneves held off Scott Dixon after a caution caused the race to resume with two laps to go. Marco Andretti led the most laps with 58, but had to pit late in the race, leaving Castroneves in the lead.
References
- Tomberlin, Michael (July 26, 2009) "Indy Car race coming to Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama." The Birmingham News
- MacDonald, John A. (July 28, 2009) "IRL helps land Barber on the map." The Birmingham News
- Tomberlin, Michael (January 28, 2010) "With Indy Grand Prix of Alabama at the Barber Motorsports Park, comes opportunity." The Birmingham News
- Piper, Ben (September 9, 2010) "American Honda signs on as Grand Prix of Alabama sponsor." Birmingham Business Journal
- "Power leads IndyCar race wire-to-wire at Alabama" (April 10, 2011) Associated Press