Defending NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion, Alex Palou says that the Children’s Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park was a rollercoaster race. Starting the race from 10th place, the Spaniard made solid progress and came home in fifth place just behind Meyer Shank’s Felix Rosenqvist, who came home in fourth place speaking following the race, Palou, who is in third place in the championship on 98 points commented saying:
“Yeah, it was a roller coaster race. We started 10 th and went aggressive with our pit strategy. We made up some spots, but the last yellow just killed us. I’m still happy that we’re fast. I think we could’ve fought for the win on pure speed, and we got the mileages we needed to make it on two stops, so happy with finishing fifth after starting 10th .”
Linus Lundqvist started the race from 19th place and came home in third place; speaking following the action, the Swede commented:
We just finished third at the race today! Man, I feel amazing. My first podium in IndyCar and what a race! I had to be super patient in the beginning and just hit my numbers. I basically just listened to the team, they said to be patient now and the reward would come at the end and that it definitely did. I was able to push in the last stint, make some moves. I think for the first time ever I actually passed somebody! That felt very nice.
Big big thank you to the whole team. This is basically all down to them, I just drove the car. Super super happy.
Marcus Armstrong had a solid race as he came home in ninth place following his best qualifying result, starting the event from 6th place. Kyffin Simpson had a great race in the No.4 Journie Rewards Honda, which came from 24th place to finish the race in 14th place.
It was a disappointing race for six-time series champion Scott Dixon in the No.9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. The Iceman was caught up in an incident with Graham Rahal, which saw Dixon spin around, causing him to fall down the order. Dixon was also suffering from a gearing issue, so he was unable to challenge for a top-ten position and came home in 15th place.