Qualifying Summary: Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix at Barber Motorsports Park
BIRMINGHAM, AL — In a promising display at Barber Motorsports Park, Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing secured pole position for the Sunday race, reaffirming his dominance as the reigning three-time IndyCar Series champion. Palou, who earned his first series victory at this very circuit in 2021, leads the 2025 championship standings.
Qualifying Highlights:
- Pole Position: Alex Palou (Chip Ganassi Racing)
- Front Row: Scott McLaughlin (P2, Team Penske), Colton Herta (P3, Andretti Autosport)
- Notable Performers: Will Power (P4, Team Penske) achieved his best starting position of the season, while Pato O’Ward (Arrow-McLaren) will start P8 despite missing out on the Fast Six.
The weekend raised questions regarding Team Penske’s form this season, as both McLaughlin and Power made it to the final qualifying round. In contrast, Josef Newgarden failed to reach the Fast Six and will start from P9.
O’Ward expressed measured optimism, stating, "It’s all to play out tomorrow. Strategy is going to be important like it’s been the last few races." He noted a minor incident in the earlier practice session, which resulted in slight damage but allowed him to maintain race readiness.
Nolan Siegel, making his debut in the Fast Six, qualified P6, demonstrating composure under pressure: "In the Fast Six, we were calm and executed everything really well," he said.
Tire Strategy Insights:
IndyCar is using a new primary tire compound this weekend, which has drawn mixed responses from drivers. The alternate red tires appear to be the favorites during qualifying due to their performance advantages. Scott Dixon’s disappointing outing in the first qualifying round, where he lost control of his vehicle, highlights the necessity for focus amidst tire strategy complexities.
Broadcast Information:
The Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix will air on Sunday, May 4, at 1:30 PM EDT on FOX and the INDYCAR Radio Network. Teams are poised for strategic battles as the race unfolds on the challenging Barber circuit.
