Written by Evan Roberts, Edited by Vyas Ponnuri Credit: Paul Hurley While the Grand Prix of Alabama was no classic this year, it did allow for some reflection on what has been an action-packed opening few rounds.  After a rare defeat on outright pace in Arlington, Álex Palou returned to winning ways in Barber. He was joined on the podium by Christian Lundgaard, who mounted a serious challenge for the lead late on, before a slow final pit stop cost him. Graham Rahal finished t

Christian Lundgaard delivered one of the most complete drives of the 2026 IndyCar season at Barber Motorsports Park, fighting through strategy setbacks and frustration to secure a second place finish, as victory slipped through his hands due to a late race pitstop error.

There was a familiar sighting in Victory Lane at Barber Motorsports Park as Álex Palou claimed his second victory of 2026. DIVEBOMB IndyCar Correspondent, Dan Jones, graded all 25 drivers' performances during the Barber weekend.

DIVEBOMB unpacks the big stories from Indy NXT at Barber, which staged the first doubleheader of 2026.

Credit: Sydney Redden Álex Palou is back to winning ways after conquering the field at Barber to win the 2026 Grand Prix of Alabama. Christian Lundgaard and Graham Rahal both secured their first podiums of the year in a weekend that was full of action. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest winners and losers from IndyCar’s trip to Barber Motorsports Park. Winner - Graham Rahal A surprising addition to the frontrunners of the weekend was Rahal of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Rac

Álex Palou joked that he was brought to internal tears after catching backmarker traffic following his final pit stop while in the net race lead of IndyCar’s Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park on Sunday.

Graham Rahal is aware of the talk. But over the weekend at Barber Motorsports Park, he quietened some of those critics. 

Álex Palou delivered a commanding performance at the Grand Prix of Alabama, converting pole position into victory with a dominant drive at Barber Motorsports Park, while Graham Rahal secured a long-awaited return to the podium after 40 races without a top-three finish.

The front-row pair of Álex Palou and David Malukas may yet have a price to pay at the Grand Prix of Alabama.

Álex Palou took his first NTT P1 Award in 2026 to take pole at Barber Motorsports Park. After a long day for IndyCar, Palou secured the top spot for Sunday's race ahead of Team Penske's David Malukas and Graham Rahal.

Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin has set the early benchmark at Barber Motorsports Park, leading IndyCar’s opening practice session ahead of Andretti Global’s championship leader Kyle Kirkwood.

Dan previews IndyCar's action at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama - Race 4 of 18 in the 2026 season.

Who (aside from Álex Palou) had a good weekend in Barber? And who struggled the most? DIVEBOMB take a look at the winners and losers from the IndyCar Grand Prix of Alabama.

Scott McLaughlin is 91 points behind Alex Palou after only four races in the 2025 IndyCar season. But he has not yet given up hope on winning a first championship this year.

Dan grades the performances of all 27 drivers from the Grand Prix of Alabama in his post-race Gradebook

Dennis Hauger made it back-to-back wins at the start of his Indy NXT career at Barber. And there was a dream debut for 17-year-old Evagoras Papasavvas too...

Alex Palou has extended his IndyCar championship lead to 60 points after only four races, taking a third win of the 2025 season. And he believes his 14th and latest win may well have been his best yet.

Alex Palou took his seventh career IndyCar pole at Barber as he continues his formidable start to the season. The front row react to a thrilling qualifying session.

It was Álex Palou who secured his first pole position of 2025 in Qualifying for the IndyCar Grand Prix of Alabama.

The first of five successive weekends of IndyCar being on track is underway at Barber. From why Herta has "sucked" at Barber to O'Ward's displeasure with the "boring" hybrid-powered car, there are plenty of stories from the opening day of running.