Barber Motorsports Park

Track Info

Location	Birmingham, Alabama
Type	Permanent Road Course
Length	2.38 miles (3.83 km)
Turns	16
Surface	Asphalt
Capacity	~90,000
Opened	2003

Track Characteristics

Barber Motorsports Park is widely considered one of the most beautiful racing facilities in the world. Set on 880 acres of rolling Alabama terrain, the track was designed by renowned road course architect Alan Wilson and features dramatic elevation changes, blind crests, and corners that flow naturally with the landscape. It is the kind of circuit that rewards precision and rhythm over raw aggression.

The 16-turn layout demands constant driver input. There are no long straights to catch a breath - instead, drivers navigate a relentless sequence of medium and high-speed corners connected by short bursts of acceleration. Turn 5 is a signature corner: a fast, downhill left-hander that unsettles the car and tests commitment. The final complex of turns leading onto the front straight is critical for overtaking, as a strong exit determines whether a pass is possible into Turn 1.

Adjacent to the track sits the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, the world's largest motorcycle collection with over 1,600 motorcycles, Lotus and Porsche race cars, and automotive art. The combination of world-class racing and the museum experience makes Barber one of the most complete motorsport destinations in America. The facility was built by George W. Barber, whose passion for motorcycles and racing created something truly special.

Getting There

Nearest Airport	Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) - approximately 15 miles west of the track.
Nearest City	Birmingham, AL. The track is located in the Leeds/Trussville area on the eastern edge of the Birmingham metro.

Series That Race Here

• NTT IndyCar Series - Annual fixture since 2010
• Indy NXT by Firestone - Support race
• MotoAmerica Superbike Championship - Premier motorcycle racing

2026 Event Info

Race Name	Children's of Alabama Indy Grand Prix
Round	4 of 17
Date	March 29, 2026
TV	FOX
Race Time	1:00 PM ET
Qualifying	Firestone Fast 6 knockout format
2026 Winner	Alex Palou

Track Record

Qualifying Record	~1:05 (approximate, sub-66 seconds)
Note	Records continue to fall as car and tire technology evolves

Notable Past Races

• 2026: Alex Palou dominated to take his second win of the season, extending his title challenge with a masterful performance on the flowing Alabama road course.
• 2023: Alex Palou won en route to his second IndyCar championship, demonstrating why Barber has been a happy hunting ground for Chip Ganassi Racing.
• 2021: Pato O'Ward broke through for his first career IndyCar victory at Barber, an emotional win that launched him into championship contention.
• 2014: Josef Newgarden earned his first career IndyCar victory at Barber as a young driver for CFH Racing, announcing a future champion to the world.
• 2010: The first IndyCar race at Barber was won by Will Power, beginning the track's long association with the series.

Track Facts

• The adjacent Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum houses the world's largest motorcycle collection with over 1,600 machines.
• The entire 880-acre facility was built by businessman George W. Barber, a passionate motorcycle enthusiast and collector.
• The grounds feature extensive sculpture gardens and manicured landscapes that make it feel more like a park than a racetrack.
• Barber has been voted the best IndyCar venue by fans multiple times due to its spectator-friendly layout and natural hillside viewing.

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