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[[Image:Honda Grand Prix of Alabama logo.jpg|right|150px]] | [[Image:Honda Grand Prix of Alabama logo.jpg|right|150px]] | ||
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. The event is under contract through the | The '''Children's of Alabama Indy Grand Prix''', formerly 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 | 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]]. | ||
==2010 inaugural race== | In [[2023]] [[Medical Properties Trust]] took over the title sponsorship for a five-year term and dedicated it to [[Children's of Alabama]]. | ||
==Results== | |||
===2023=== | |||
The race was held on [[April 30]]. [[Paul Finebaum]] served as grand marshal. Scott McLaughlin of Team Penske passed Romain Grosjean early on and held the lead through the remainder of the race. | |||
===2022=== | |||
Tim Tebow served as grand marshal for the [[May 1]] race. Pato O'Ward was the winner. | |||
===2021=== | |||
Spanish drive Alex Palou won the 2021 race, which served as the first race of the IndyCar season on [[April 18]]. He came in 0.4016 seconds ahead of Will Power. | |||
===2020=== | |||
The 2020 event was canceled due to the [[2020 Coronavirus pandemic]]. | |||
===2019=== | |||
Held on [[April 7]], the 2019 Grand Prix was won by Takuma Sato of Japan, who led 74 of 90 laps. | |||
===2018=== | |||
Josef Newgarden repeated as champion of the 2018 Grand Prix on April 22–23, which was suspended due to heavy rain, with the last 23 laps run as a timed race on Monday. Mexican driver Patricio O'Ward claimed both Indy Lights races. | |||
===2017=== | |||
Honda's robotic mascot ASIMO served as grand marshal for the [[April 23]] race. Josef Newgarden of Team Penske won the main event. Nico Jamin and Colton Herta split the Indy Lights races. | |||
===2016 race=== | |||
Pole winner Simon Pagenaud of France won the [[April 24]] race for Team Penske with a record-breaking average speed of 114.254 miles per hour. Ed Jones and Santiago Urrutia split the Indy Lights races. Ideal weather brought 83,765 fans to the event. Grand marshal [[Sara Evans]] sang the national anthem. | |||
===2015 race=== | |||
Josef Newgarden completed 90 laps with a time of 1:55:53, giving him the victory on [[April 26]], [[2015]]. Spencer Pigot swept the two Indy Lights races. WBC heavyweight champion [[Deontay Wilder]] served as grand marshal. Approximately 75,000 attended the event. | |||
===2014 race=== | |||
Ryan Hunter-Reay repeated as champion in a weather-delayed timed race on Sunday [[April 27]], [[2014]]. 74,910 attendees were reported for the weekend event. [[Joe Namath]] served as the race's grand marshal. | |||
===2013 race=== | |||
The [[2013]] event was held on [[April 6]]-[[April 7|7]] with a record weekend attendance of 83,564. 57,963 were present when Ryan Hunter-Reay won the Sunday race. The Grand Marshal for the event 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=== | |||
[[Image:Turns 2 and 3 at Barber Motorsports Park.jpg|center|thumb|600px|Perspective between turns 2 and 3 during the [[2011]] event.]] | |||
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=== | |||
[[Image:Grand Prix of Alabama logo.jpg|right|100px]] | [[Image:Grand Prix of Alabama logo.jpg|right|100px]] | ||
[[Charles Barkley]] was grand marshal and [[Taylor Hicks]] sang the national anthem | The 2010 race was held on [[April 11]]. [[Charles Barkley]] was grand marshal and [[Taylor Hicks]] sang the national anthem. | ||
Helio Castraneves held off Scott Dixon after a caution | Australian driver Will Power took the pole during qualifying. Helio Castraneves of Brazil held off Scott Dixon of New Zealand after a caution interrupted the race, leaving just 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== | ==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 | |||
* McCarter, Mark (April 7, 2013) "IndyCar race at Barber again a big hit, especially for Ryan Hunter-Reay." {{BN}} | |||
* Heim, Mark (January 18, 2023) "IndyCar event’s new sponsor brands race Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix." {{AL}} | |||
[[Category:Auto races]] | [[Category:Auto races]] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:08, 1 May 2023
The Children's of Alabama Indy Grand Prix, formerly 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.
In 2023 Medical Properties Trust took over the title sponsorship for a five-year term and dedicated it to Children's of Alabama.
Results
2023
The race was held on April 30. Paul Finebaum served as grand marshal. Scott McLaughlin of Team Penske passed Romain Grosjean early on and held the lead through the remainder of the race.
2022
Tim Tebow served as grand marshal for the May 1 race. Pato O'Ward was the winner.
2021
Spanish drive Alex Palou won the 2021 race, which served as the first race of the IndyCar season on April 18. He came in 0.4016 seconds ahead of Will Power.
2020
The 2020 event was canceled due to the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic.
2019
Held on April 7, the 2019 Grand Prix was won by Takuma Sato of Japan, who led 74 of 90 laps.
2018
Josef Newgarden repeated as champion of the 2018 Grand Prix on April 22–23, which was suspended due to heavy rain, with the last 23 laps run as a timed race on Monday. Mexican driver Patricio O'Ward claimed both Indy Lights races.
2017
Honda's robotic mascot ASIMO served as grand marshal for the April 23 race. Josef Newgarden of Team Penske won the main event. Nico Jamin and Colton Herta split the Indy Lights races.
2016 race
Pole winner Simon Pagenaud of France won the April 24 race for Team Penske with a record-breaking average speed of 114.254 miles per hour. Ed Jones and Santiago Urrutia split the Indy Lights races. Ideal weather brought 83,765 fans to the event. Grand marshal Sara Evans sang the national anthem.
2015 race
Josef Newgarden completed 90 laps with a time of 1:55:53, giving him the victory on April 26, 2015. Spencer Pigot swept the two Indy Lights races. WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder served as grand marshal. Approximately 75,000 attended the event.
2014 race
Ryan Hunter-Reay repeated as champion in a weather-delayed timed race on Sunday April 27, 2014. 74,910 attendees were reported for the weekend event. Joe Namath served as the race's grand marshal.
2013 race
The 2013 event was held on April 6-7 with a record weekend attendance of 83,564. 57,963 were present when Ryan Hunter-Reay won the Sunday race. The Grand Marshal for the event 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.
Australian driver Will Power took the pole during qualifying. Helio Castraneves of Brazil held off Scott Dixon of New Zealand after a caution interrupted the race, leaving just 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
- McCarter, Mark (April 7, 2013) "IndyCar race at Barber again a big hit, especially for Ryan Hunter-Reay." The Birmingham News
- Heim, Mark (January 18, 2023) "IndyCar event’s new sponsor brands race Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix." AL.com