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Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama 2019: Preview IndyCar at Barber

By Brittany Frederick

BIRMINGHAM, AL - APRIL 22: Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing Honda (9) leads a group of race cars through Turn 5 during the 9th annual Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama on April 21, 2018, at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, AL. (Photo by David John Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, AL - APRIL 22: Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing Honda (9) leads a group of race cars through Turn 5 during the 9th annual Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama on April 21, 2018, at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, AL. (Photo by David John Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama is the third race in the 2019 IndyCar season. Here’s what to watch for when IndyCar is at Barber Motorsports Park.

This weekend the NTT IndyCar Series heads to a venue that’s known to sometimes be a challenge. So what will Barber Motorsports Park have in store for the 2019 Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama?

The track’s location means it struggles with the weather; last year’s race was infamously paused after just 22 laps due to rain, and ended up finishing short (just 82 laps out of a planned 90 after it became a timed event instead). Barber isn’t an easy track to drive when it’s dry, but the potential for inclement weather just adds another unpredictable element.

But with frontrunners and backmarkers already taking shape this season, teams need to make a few moves if they want to stay in the running for the IndyCar Series championship. Can they get everything to come together this weekend? Or will Barber ruin somebody’s best laid plans? Either is genuinely possible.

What should IndyCar fans be watching for on Sunday? Let’s break the race down in our Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama preview:

ONE THING TO KNOW:

  • The weather: Rain could again be an issue for the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama. As of Friday morning, there was just a 20 percent chance of precipitation on race day. However, it is expected to rain on both Saturday night and throughout Monday, so all that has to happen is the weather shifts by a day and there could be a whole new forecast.

THREE DRIVERS TO WATCH:

  • Josef Newgarden: The No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet driver will be looking to win this race for the third time. After almost winning the inaugural IndyCar Classic, he could continue to build points to keep his championship lead growing. Newgarden currently has an 18-point lead in the championship standings.
  • Colton Herta: The rookie catapulted himself to national attention when he won the IndyCar Classic at Circuit of the Americas, making history in the process. Every fan will be seeing if he can follow that up with another competitive performance, or if that was a one-off stroke of luck. While Herta has the talent to stay in the hunt, proving it Sunday will go a long way toward convincing the skeptics that he’s as good as advertised.
  • Alexander Rossi: Last year’s championship runner-up is well-known for his aggressive and fearless driving; he’ll muscle his way to the front of the pack, and he’s not shy about taking risks. That could be particularly impactful at someplace like Barber, where there’s enough to keep drivers busy already. Rossi could easily take advantage of someone else’s mistake, or outwit them into making one, and reap the benefits.

Next. What IndyCar fans learned from COTA. dark

The Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama takes place Sunday, Apr. 7 at 4 p.m. ET. For complete coverage of the 2019 IndyCar season, follow the IndyCar category at FanSided.