Indy NXT - Grand Prix of Alabama

The Grand Prix of Alabama brings Indy NXT by Firestone racing to Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama. This doubleheader weekend features two separate races on one of America's most challenging road courses. The 2026 edition showcased the next generation of open-wheel racing talent, with drivers competing on the technical 2.38-mile circuit. Nikita Johnson won the first race for Cape Motorsports powered by ECR, while Alessandro de Tullio claimed his first career Indy NXT victory in the second race for AJ Foyt Racing.

Barber Motorsports Park Circuit

Barber Motorsports Park sits on 880 acres on the eastern edge of Birmingham, Alabama. The facility opened in 2003 and features a 17-turn, 2.38-mile permanent road course. Alan Wilson designed the track to run clockwise, incorporating more than 80 feet of elevation changes across its layout. The undulating terrain and careful landscaping have earned the venue comparisons to Augusta National, though racing fans know it simply as a driver's circuit that demands precision.

The track measures 45 feet wide, which makes overtaking a challenge that requires patience and skill. Each race in the Grand Prix of Alabama runs 30 laps on this demanding layout. Spectators can view the action from natural vantage points along wooded or grass-covered banks, particularly along the back straightaway between Turns 8 and 11, and outside of Turns 2, 3, and 14. The pit lane runs parallel to the front stretch on the outside of the track, while a tunnel under Turn 12 provides access for emergency and maintenance vehicles.

Competition and Participants

The 2026 Grand Prix of Alabama featured a strong field of rising open-wheel racing talent. The event marked Rounds 3 and 4 of the 2026 Indy NXT by Firestone season, giving teams and drivers an early opportunity to establish championship momentum.

Key Drivers and Teams

Nikita Johnson drove for Cape Motorsports powered by ECR and secured the win in Race 1. Alessandro de Tullio piloted the AJ Foyt Racing entry to his breakthrough victory in Race 2. Max Taylor finished second in Race 2 for Andretti Global, adding to his podium count.

The 2026 season grid includes multiple competitive teams. Andretti Global fields entries for Lochie Hughes, Seb Murray, and Josh Pierson. HMD Motorsports campaigns cars for Enzo Fittipaldi, Tymek Kucharczyk, and Salvador de Alba. Abel Motorsports runs a four-car program with Max Garcia, Jordan Missig, Colin Kaminsky, and Myles Rowe, the latter in partnership with Force Indy. Cape Motorsports powered by ECR also fields Matteo Nannini alongside their race winner.

Other teams contributing to the competitive field include Chip Ganassi Racing with James Roe, Bryce Aron, Niels Koolen, and Carson Etter. Cusick Morgan Motorsports runs Nicolas Stati and Juan Manuel Correa. Juncos Hollinger Racing fields Ricardo Escotto and Alexander Koreiba. AJ Foyt Racing campaigns Nicholas Monteiro alongside race winner de Tullio. A rule change for 2026 limits teams to a maximum of four cars, though some teams maintain technical partnerships.

Technical Specifications

Indy NXT by Firestone cars use the Dallara IL-15 chassis, a single-seat, open-wheel design introduced in 2015. The chassis features carbon fiber bodywork and safety components that meet FIA specifications with INDYCAR standards. A cockpit protection device was added to the IL-15 chassis starting in the 2021 season.

The Advanced Engine Research (AER) P63 powers these cars. This turbocharged, inline four-cylinder engine displaces 2.0 liters and produces 450 horsepower. Drivers can access an additional 50 horsepower through the push-to-pass system. An Xtrac 6-speed sequential gearbox with electronic shift actuation handles power delivery. Firestone supplies all tires for the series.

Qualifying Format

Qualifying for road and street courses splits the field into two groups. The fastest driver from the preceding practice session chooses which group runs first. This format creates strategic decisions and ensures fair opportunities for all competitors.

Series History and Development Path

Indy NXT by Firestone serves as the primary developmental series for INDYCAR. The series was founded in 2002 as the Infiniti Pro Series, rebranded to Indy Lights in 2008, and became Indy NXT in 2023. Many prominent INDYCAR SERIES drivers developed their skills in this championship, including Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, Josef Newgarden, Pato O'Ward, and Colton Herta.

Barber Motorsports Park has hosted INDYCAR Series racing since 2010. George W. Barber built the circuit originally as a facility to house and operate his extensive collection of vintage motorcycles and racing cars. That collection became the Barber Vintage Motorsport Museum, which now shares the grounds with the racing circuit. Andretti teams have performed particularly well at Barber across the years, with seven wins, six poles, and numerous podium finishes since 2010.

Unique Features and Museum

Barber Motorsports Park houses the Barber Vintage Motorsport Museum, which Guinness World Records recognizes as the largest motorcycle museum in the world. The collection includes over 1,400 motorcycles spanning more than 100 years of production. The museum displays more than 650 bikes at any given time. The facility also maintains the largest collection of Lotus race cars in the world.

Drivers consistently praise the circuit as a thinking person's track where passing proves difficult. The elevation changes and technical corners reward smooth driving and strategic patience. The picturesque landscaping creates a beautiful setting that enhances the racing experience for competitors and spectators alike.

The 2026 Season Format

The 2026 Indy NXT schedule includes five doubleheader weekends, with the Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park serving as one of these two-race events. This format provides teams and drivers with additional opportunities to score points and showcase their abilities. The doubleheader structure tests both driver consistency and team preparation, as crews must turn the cars around quickly between races while addressing any issues that arise.

The Grand Prix of Alabama represents an important stop for championship contenders and teams looking to prove their capabilities. The technical nature of Barber Motorsports Park rewards precise driving and strong race strategy, making it a true test of talent in the indylights series.