The 2021 NTT IndyCar series season opener took place from the spectacular Barber Motorsports Park this past weekend.
Alex Palou snagged his maiden win in his Chip Ganassi Racing debut, capping off a weekend that saw the young Spaniard near the front in every session. Plus, a slew of world-class talent began their rookie seasons in America’s top level of open wheel racing.
The weather was perfect, there was close racing, and one memorable opening-lap crash. Motorsportweek.com was there to cover the excitement, snagging exclusive photos from trackside. Take a look at a collection of both our and IndyCar’s best shots of the weekend.
Sato, Pagenaud, and Bourdais demonstrate their skill by going three-wide through turn 5.Newgarden flies through turn 16 in Saturday afternoon qualifying.Power speeds down the back straight.Rosenqvist had to be rescued from the gravel after spinning in qualifying.Kellett rounds turn 9 in his #4 AJ Foyt entry.Rosenqvist driving through the sublime scenery of central Alabama.Ericsson with his head down, pedal to the floor.Grosjean impressed in his IndyCar debut with Dale Coyne Racing.Daly strapped in and ready to race. Photo credit: INDYCARRosenqvist was among those caught up in the first lap incident. Photo credit: INDYCARNewgarden steps away from his heavily-damaged car.Newgarden’s Hitachi Chevy is carried off the track.Rosenqvist walks away from his stricken car, unable to drive it back to the pits.Chilton lays into the throttle after getting assistance from the AMR safety team.Rossi rounds turn 8 at full speed.Johnson accomplished his goal of finishing his first-ever IndyCar race.Palou was on form all weekend, taking his Chip Ganassi Honda to victory lane.Hunter-Reay shooting down the back straight in morning warm-up.Ericsson putting on a show for the fans dotting the hillsides.Palou was ecstatic to take his maiden victory. Photo credit: INDYCAR
