I am so grateful to have an IndyCar race event of this caliber within such a short drive from Atlanta. IndyCar has always struggled as a series to make events other than the 500 seem worthwhile, and these days only Indy and maybe Long Beach have that status guaranteed. IndyCar regulars may not live far enough south to realize it, but Barber belongs on that list. I hope to make this straight-shot drive every year if possible. (You go right past ’Dega on the way, so I should probably start making plans for that, too.)

You know from TV that Barber is quirky and full of weird art, and that the facility is at least interesting, but what you don’t know until you go there is that it is one of the most lovely motorsports venues imaginable. “Park” really is the best term for it. Our crew found delightful forested seats along the back straight that were in shade all day, and I think the best verb to describe what we did all day was bask.

My dad and cousin came along, first motor races for both of them. I don’t think they were quite sold on motorsports overall, but they certainly had a good time, and that was surely due in large part to the incredible facility.

I would spend a day there with nothing on track. That would give me a chance to visit the enormous museum, which was clearly not happening while an IndyCar race was on.

The event was crowded — which is great — but the capacity was there easily. The paddock was open and accessible, too, and drivers were around. I got to flash my Team Australia jersey at Will Power, and he blessed me with a big smile and a thumbs up.

This was my first time seeing Indy cars in person, and even having watched the GTP class on the high banks at Daytona, this was another level of speed and agility.

This was the race at which it became clear that Álex Palou was going to absolutely dominate the season, and he looked great doing it in a one-off special HRC livery that somehow still didn’t silence the “hOnDA iS gONnA leAvE iNdYcAR” people. This was also a weekend when Dennis Hauger made the IndyNXT field look silly, and it would surprise no one to learn at the end of the season that he would be moving up to the big leagues for 2026.