Indy NXT - Grand Prix of Alabama Race 1

The Grand Prix of Alabama Race 1 brings Indy NXT by Firestone racing action to Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama. This race serves as the first part of a doubleheader weekend at one of North America's most challenging road courses. Indy NXT represents the final developmental step for drivers pursuing careers in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, and Race 1 at Barber Motorsports Park provides these rising talents with a demanding test of skill and precision.

About Grand Prix of Alabama Race 1

Race 1 at Barber Motorsports Park runs for 35 laps on the technical 2.38-mile circuit. The race forms part of a 17-event schedule for the Indy NXT series, with multiple doubleheader weekends throughout the season. FOX Sports broadcasts all sessions on FS1 or FS2, giving fans comprehensive coverage of the racing action. The doubleheader format at Birmingham, Alabama challenges teams and drivers to adapt quickly between Race 1 and Race 2, testing their ability to analyze data and make setup changes overnight.

Nikita Johnson, driving for Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR, claimed victory in Race 1. The race featured close competition among approximately 24 drivers representing teams from across the developmental racing landscape. Each competitor aims to showcase their talents and progress to the premier INDYCAR Series.

Barber Motorsports Park Circuit

Barber Motorsports Park spans 880 acres on the eastern edge of Birmingham, Alabama. Circuit designer Alan Wilson created a clockwise 2.38-mile layout featuring 17 turns. The track winds through wooded parkland with elevation changes exceeding 80 feet, creating a demanding environment for drivers. The 45-foot width requires precise positioning for overtaking, rewarding drivers who can maximize their car's potential through technical sections.

The undulating nature of Barber Motorsports Park tests suspension setups and driver adaptability. Main spectator areas sit along the back straightaway between turns 8 and 11, offering views across much of the circuit. The pit lane runs parallel to the front straightaway outside the main racing surface. The facility's immaculate landscaping and greenery have earned it recognition as one of motorsports' most beautiful venues, often called "The Augusta National of Motorsports."

Teams and Drivers

The Indy NXT series attracts international talent competing in identical Dallara IL-15 chassis. This spec formula ensures competition focuses on driver skill and team strategy rather than equipment advantages. The series fields approximately 24 full-time entries across multiple established teams.

Notable Teams for the Season

Abel Motorsports fields a four-car operation with Max Garcia, Jordan Missig, Colin Kaminsky, and Myles Rowe. Andretti Global runs entries for Lochie Hughes, Sebastian Murray, Max Taylor, and Josh Pierson. A.J. Foyt Racing campaigns cars for Nicholas Monteiro and Alessandro de Tullio, who won Race 2 at Barber. Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR features Matteo Nannini and Race 1 winner Nikita Johnson.

Chip Ganassi Racing operates a four-car program with James Roe, Bryce Aron, Niels Koolen, and Carson Etter. Cusick Morgan Motorsports enters Nicolas Stati, while HMD Motorsports runs Tymek Kucharczyk. Juncos Hollinger Racing fields Ricardo Escotto. Each team brings experienced personnel and engineering resources to develop young drivers.

Technical Specifications

All Indy NXT competitors use the Dallara IL-15 chassis, introduced in 2015. The carbon fiber construction includes a halo cockpit protection device implemented in 2021. These single-seat, open-wheel race cars prepare drivers for the transition to full INDYCAR machinery.

Power comes from an Advanced Engine Research (AER) P63 turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine with 2.0-liter displacement. The engine produces approximately 450 horsepower, with an additional 50 horsepower available through the "Push-to-Pass" system. Cars weigh approximately 1,430 pounds (648 kg) and run on VP Racing Fuels gasoline. An Xtrac 6-speed sequential gearbox with electronic shift actuation and paddle shifters handles power delivery.

Firestone supplies all tires for the championship, developing compounds that mirror the characteristics drivers will encounter in the INDYCAR Series. This consistency helps smooth the transition between developmental and professional racing.

Series Heritage

Indy NXT by Firestone received its current branding in 2023, though the series traces its roots to the Infiniti Pro Series founded in 2002. The Indy Lights name returned in 2008 following the unification of CART and IndyCar. This season marks the 40th year for the championship and its 24th under IndyCar sanctioning.

The series serves as the top rung of the "Road to Indy" ladder system. Many current INDYCAR stars including Scott Dixon, Josef Newgarden, and Pato O'Ward developed their skills in this championship before advancing to the premier series. This proven pathway demonstrates the value of the developmental program.

Barber Motorsports Park joined the INDYCAR calendar in 2010 with the inaugural Grand Prix of Alabama. The facility conducted successful testing sessions in 2007 and 2009 before hosting its first full race weekend. Indy NXT races at Barber typically support the main INDYCAR event, giving developmental drivers the opportunity to compete on the same circuit as established professionals.

The Venue Experience

Barber Motorsports Park offers more than just racing. The facility houses the Barber Vintage Motorsport Museum, which holds the Guinness World Record for the world's largest motorcycle collection. More than 900 motorcycles from over 1,600 in the collection remain on display at any time. The museum also contains the world's largest collection of Lotus race cars.

Large-scale sculptures throughout the park add visual interest to the facility. Giant spiders, dragonflies, and lions populate the grounds. The section around Turns 5 and 6 is known as "Charlotte's Web" due to a prominent spider sculpture. The facility also hosts the Porsche Track Experience, offering high-performance driving courses.

Force Indy, an African American-owned race team, has competed in the Indy NXT series, representing an important step for diversity in motorsports. Driver Myles Rowe achieved victory for the organization in a lower-tier Road to Indy series, demonstrating the program's success in developing talent from diverse backgrounds.

The Grand Prix of Alabama Race 1 at Barber Motorsports Park showcases the future of American open-wheel racing. The combination of a challenging circuit, competitive field, and professional race operations creates a compelling racing product for fans of the indylights series.