So, as we have mentioned on the show a number of times since the “Talladega Transformation” project was first announced that 2019 is the fiftieth anniversary of the first-ever race at NASCAR’s longest and fastest track. That is certainly worth celebrating, and will be, both in the spring and in the fall. However, a bit less known was that, just this past weekend, we celebrated ten years of IndyCar Racing in Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park. That is equally as laudable, especially considering that, other than Florida, IndyCar has little to no other presence in the southeastern part of the United States.
When the race was first proposed at Barber, many people scoffed, claiming that Alabama is in the heart of NASCAR country, and would not be acceptable to race fans who prefer, some said, to wear cut-off tees, jean shorts and who have, some said, questionable tastes in food and drink. While at its peak Talladega could, and still can, fit about 250,000 people in the stands and in the infield, the people showing up at Barber have been reliably estimated to be at least 100,000. Remember that Barber is a road course, so there is really no place any race fan can sit that shows them the entirety of the 2-plus mile-long course, but for a decade, people in Alabama and surrounding states have come out in droves to see the IndyCar drivers compete.
Then there are the IndyCar drivers themselves, who, to a driver have applauded the Barber family for the wonderful facility they’ve built just east of downtown Birmingham, and have been more than complimentary of those who come out, year over year, and pack the hill-sides and grassy areas around the track to see the action each April.
I was happy when I first heard IndyCar was coming to Alabama, went to the first race, and have been to many of the ten events since, and it just keeps getting better and better in my mind. The drivers love it, the fans seem to as well, and for those who questioned IndyCar coming to “the heart of NASCAR country”, it has been proven the two series can co-exist.
Now, if only NASCAR and IndyCar would get together on the scheduling, and allow Barber and Talladega to run on back-to-back weekends again, bringing back “Alabama Speedweeks”.