Top Contenders and Dark Horses for the Barber Indy Grand Prix

The 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season is off to an electrifying start. The upcoming Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix powered by AmFirst at Barber Motorsports Park promises to be another thrilling chapter.

With Honda and Chevrolet set to clash on the technical, 2.3-mile, 17-turn track, fans are eager to see if Honda can continue its perfect season or if Chevrolet will reclaim its dominance at Barber. As the race approaches, let’s look at the favorites and sleepers who could steal the spotlight on Sunday.

Favorites to Watch at Barber Motorsports Park

As the engines roar to life, several drivers are poised to make a significant impact on the race. These favorites bring a mix of past successes and current momentum.

Scott McLaughlin (No. 3 Good Ranchers Team Penske Chevrolet)

Scott McLaughlin is aiming for a third straight win at Barber Motorsports Park after his victories in 2023 and 2024. With five top-seven finishes in six natural road course starts last season and two top-six finishes in three races this season, McLaughlin is a strong contender.

His experience and skill on this track make him a key player in the race.

Pato O’Ward (No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet)

After an early tire puncture ended his 2021 Barber race, Pato O’Ward bounced back with a victory in 2022. This season, he earned the pole position at The Thermal Club INDYCAR Grand Prix in March and finished second.

His determination and speed make him a driver to watch closely.

Scott Dixon (No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)

Scott Dixon has never won at Barber Motorsports Park, but his six runner-up finishes and nine podium results in 14 tries show his consistency. The six-time series champion has been a top contender on natural road courses.

His strategic approach could finally lead him to victory at Barber.

Alex Palou (No. 10 HRC Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)

Alex Palou has a strong record at Barber, with a win in 2021, a runner-up finish in 2022, and fifth-place finishes in his last two attempts. The two-time defending series champion has 13 top-five finishes in his last 15 natural road course starts, including seven wins.

His impressive form this season makes him a top favorite.

Will Power (No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet)

Will Power has 11 top-five finishes in 14 starts at Barber Motorsports Park. Consecutive wins in 2011 and 2012, along with runner-up finishes in 2021 and 2024, highlight his expertise on this track.

Power’s recent performances on natural road circuits boost his chances of securing a victory.

Sleepers Who Could Surprise

While the favorites are expected to shine, several drivers could surprise with strong performances. These sleepers have shown potential and could disrupt the expected order on race day.

Christian Lundgaard (No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet)

Christian Lundgaard has consistently performed well on natural road courses, including sixth-place finishes at Barber in the past two years. With nine top-seven finishes in his last 13 natural road course starts and a third-place finish at The Thermal Club in March, Lundgaard is a sleeper to watch.

Santino Ferrucci (No. 14 AJ FOYT RACING/SEXTON PROPERTIES Chevrolet)

After a seventh-place finish at Barber last season, Santino Ferrucci has continued to show his talent on natural road courses. With four top-10 finishes in six starts in 2024, including an NTT P1 Award at Portland International Raceway, Ferrucci could surprise this weekend.

Graham Rahal (No. 15 Hendrickson International Honda)

Graham Rahal has an average finish of 11.9 in 14 Barber starts, with runner-up finishes in 2015 and 2016. His consistent performances on natural road courses, including four top-11 finishes last season, make him a sleeper with potential.

Felix Rosenqvist (No. 60 SiriusXM Honda)

Felix Rosenqvist prepares for his 100th career start after a fourth-place finish at Barber last season. Strong performances this year, including a fifth-place at The Thermal Club and a fourth-place at Long Beach, position him as a sleeper to watch.

Marcus Armstrong (No. 66 SiriusXM/Root Insurance Honda)

Marcus Armstrong has shown promise at Barber, finishing 11th and ninth in his previous starts. With a seventh-place finish this season at The Thermal Club, Armstrong could have a breakout performance.

Honda vs. Chevrolet: The Battle for Barber

The upcoming race at Barber Motorsports Park is a showdown between two automotive giants. Honda has dominated the start of the 2025 season, but Chevrolet’s historical success at Barber adds intrigue to the competition.

Honda teams, especially Chip Ganassi Racing and Andretti Global, have improved in speed and tire management, closing the gap with Chevrolet. This improvement could help Honda break Chevrolet’s winning streak at Barber.

Chevrolet’s Strengths

Chevrolet-powered teams like Team Penske and Arrow McLaren benefit from the brand’s low-end torque and optimized engine mapping. This provides more acceleration out of Barber’s tight corners and has favored Chevrolet at this track.

Honda’s Momentum

Despite Chevrolet’s strengths, Honda’s perfect start to the 2025 season stands out. With wins from Alex Palou and Kyle Kirkwood, Honda teams have shown they can compete at the highest level.

Their improved performance on natural road courses adds to the anticipation of whether they can continue their winning streak at Barber.

Conclusion

The Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix powered by AmFirst at Barber Motorsports Park promises to be an exciting race. Both favorites and underdogs are ready to compete.

Honda and Chevrolet are preparing for another showdown. Fans can expect a thrilling 90-lap race with the possibility of new records.

For more updates, visit the official INDYCAR website.