UPDATE No. 2: The INDYCAR Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama was closing in on restarting on Lap 23 or 24 before officials threw the second red flag race stoppage because of lingering puddles on the 2.3-mile Barber Motorsports Park, particularly on the front stretch. We’ll keep you updated as situations warrant.
UPDATE No. 1: The INDYCAR Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama is under a red-flag race stoppage after 19 laps due to rain and puddling on the racing surface at Barber Motorsports Park.
Cleaners and dryers are on the track to try and get some of the water off the racing surface. The low spots on the track, as well as the front stretch, have been particularly troublesome and led to several spinouts and at least two wrecks (Charlie Kimball and outside front pole sitter Will Power).
Power’s day is done after suffering irreparable damage to the left side of his car after hydroplaning on the front straight and running into the inside retaining wall.
ORIGINAL STORY FOLLOWS:
Although rain has been falling for nearly an hour and the Barber Motorsports Park 2.3-mile permanent road course is drenched, the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama is underway on NBCSN.
The start of the race was moved up from 3:38 p.m. ET to take the green flag at 3:08 p.m. ET.
Race Control has declared it a 'wet' start. Everyone makes it through lap 1. #HIGPA pic.twitter.com/DiaJDmW5LU
— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) April 22, 2018
Josef Newgarden is the defending winner of this race and also will start from the pole for today’s race.
While the race is scheduled for 90 laps, there’s a possibility that if the weather worsens or if lightning appears, it could potentially be shortened to just two hours.
As can be expected, all cars are on rain tires to maximize grip.
Catch the race live on NBCSN.
Yesterday @ZachVeach said that food poisoning made him feel like he 'in a washing machine.' Today it looks like it. @FollowAndretti pic.twitter.com/dsWOq0P3Mr
— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) April 22, 2018