IndyCar Highlights: Winners and Losers at Barber’s Three-Peat Event

The IndyCar series recently made a thrilling stop at Barber Motorsports Park. The race continued the storylines of the 2025 season.

From Alex Palou’s dominant performance to the impressive showing by Rinus VeeKay, the event offered both predictable outcomes and surprising twists. Some drivers faced challenges, while others used smart strategies to secure strong finishes.

This week’s “Winners and Losers of IndyCar” at Barber highlights the key moments and trends shaping the season.

Alex Palou’s Dominance Continues

Alex Palou is proving to be a formidable force in the 2025 IndyCar season. The Chip Ganassi Racing driver clinched another victory at the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix.

This win further solidifies his path to a potential fourth championship. Palou’s consistency is reminiscent of Scott Dixon’s legendary fuel-saving strategies.

With 13 races still on the calendar, Palou’s performance is setting a high bar for his competitors.

Palou’s Winning Formula

Palou’s success is not just about winning races. He consistently finishes on the podium.

In the 2024 season, he won only two of the 17 races but still secured the championship. His ability to maintain high finishes, even when not winning, shows his strategic skill and adaptability on the track.

Rinus VeeKay’s Impressive Performance

Rinus VeeKay, driving for Dale Coyne Racing, has been a standout performer this season. Despite being the last driver to secure a ride for 2025, VeeKay has shown he’s far from a last-pick driver.

His P6 start and fourth-place finish at Barber mark his best performance of the season. It is also the team’s best result in two years.

The Key to VeeKay’s Success

VeeKay’s strong results come from good grid positioning and effective tire strategy. His performance is reminiscent of Santino Ferrucci’s turnaround for AJ Foyt Racing.

If VeeKay can keep this up, both he and Dale Coyne Racing could have a remarkable season.

Team Penske’s Resurgence

Team Penske had a notable weekend at Barber. All three of their drivers finished in the top 10.

This is the first time this season the team has achieved this result. Scott McLaughlin earned a podium finish in third place.

Will Power and Josef Newgarden finished fifth and ninth, respectively.

A Hard-Earned Success

Team Penske has had to work harder for wins this season. McLaughlin’s podium is the team’s second of 2025.

Power’s consistent top-10 finishes show the team’s resilience. Newgarden’s ninth-place finish also points to a positive trend for the team.

Tire Strategy and Race Dynamics

Tire strategy played a crucial role in the outcomes at Barber. The rule to run one set of sticker alternates and one set of primaries led to different strategies among the teams.

Most top drivers used the primary set at the start of the race, which proved beneficial.

The Impact of Tire Choices

Alexander Rossi was the only driver in the top 10 to use the primary set at the end of the race. Although this strategy didn’t allow him to challenge Palou, it highlights how important tire choices are.

Upcoming changes to tire strategy, starting at the Indianapolis road course, may further influence race dynamics.

The Need for More Exciting Racing

The series has gone over 300 laps and three straight races without a single caution. The lack of incidents has led to processional racing.

Fans and drivers are calling for changes to make the races more exciting.

Potential Changes on the Horizon

IndyCar may experiment with tire allocation requirements and hybrid power limitations. These changes could add unpredictability to the races.

The introduction of a new hybrid system in 2027, shared with IMSA, also offers opportunities for innovation.

Conclusion

The 2025 IndyCar season at Barber Motorsports Park has featured both expected triumphs and surprising performances. Alex Palou continues to dominate.

Rinus VeeKay and Team Penske are showing signs of resurgence. Changes in tire strategy and race dynamics could add more excitement to the series.

For a detailed analysis of the race and its implications, visit Motorsport.com.