((HT: TSN))IndyCar racing will make a return to the U.S. Southeast next season after confirming a three year deal with Barber Motorsports Park((pictured thanks to them)) in Birmingham, Alabama.
The "Indy Grand Prix of Alabama," will be contested the weekend of April 9-11, 2010.
"The Barber Motorsports Park is the finest road track in North America and deserves an event of this caliber and prestige," said Gene Hallman, President of Zoom Motorsports, the track's exclusive promoter. "This will be the only IndyCar Series race in the deep-south meaning it is a great tourist draw for the region. Plus, having the automotive world focus on our state enables us to highlight our growing automotive industry."
CART first staged races in this region of the United States at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 1979 and 1981 to 1983. The IRL visited the same track from 1998 to 2001.
Barber Motorsports Park has been attempting to lure the IndyCar series south since 2007. Series officials have staged two test sessions at the 2.38-mile circuit.
"We are thrilled to bring the speed and excitement of the IndyCar Series to Barber Motorsports Park, the greater Birmingham area and the state of Alabama,” said Terry Angstadt, president, commercial division for the Indy Racing League. "The nearly two-year pursuit to bring IndyCar Series racing to Birmingham only reinforces the professionalism and planning put into this by our newest scheduling partner."
Barber Motorsports Park opened in 2003. It is said to be the largest philanthropic project in the history of the state of Alabama, with more than $70 million private funds contributed. The track features 17 turns and 80 feet of elevation changes.
While the 2010 schedule has yet to be announced, the Birmingham event is expected to be the second of the season, slotting in behind the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and Long Beach.
Here's one of the funnier moments from one of the race at Atlanta back in 2001...Funny unless you're Buddy Lazier...
((HT: ESPN2/IRL))
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