MOORESVILLE, N.C. — This year’s NTT IndyCar Series race at Barber Motorsports Park will have a new name and a new sponsor.
On Wednesday, Barber Motorsports Park introduced its new title sponsor — Medical Properties Trust. Through Medical Properties Trust’s philanthropic vision, the event will be named “Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix.”
Since 2010, it was known as the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama.
“Since the first race in 2010, the growth of the NTT IndyCar Series in Alabama has been remarkable,” IndyCar President Jay Frye said. “It is tremendous to see Medical Properties Trust partner with Barber Motorsports Park to expand on its Racing for Children’s program. Barber Motorsports Park has a tradition of producing great racing and exciting partnerships and we look forward to seeing both continue for years to come.”
Medical Properties Trust, a Birmingham-based real estate investment trust specializing in the acquisition and development of net-leased hospital facilities around the world, has entered into a five-year sponsorship agreement for the naming rights of the event and has dedicated the entitlement to Children’s of Alabama.
A percentage of proceeds from ticket sales and additional ancillary events will benefit Children’s of Alabama.
“Children’s of Alabama provides invaluable resources to the children of our state and the southeast,” said Edward K. Aldag, Jr., chairman, president and CEO of Medical Properties Trust. “As a proud and long-time supporter of Children’s of Alabama, we are delighted to be able to sponsor the Indy Grand Prix on behalf of Children’s of Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park to increase awareness of their services and raise funds for the world-class hospital.”
Children’s of Alabama is ranked among the best children’s hospitals by U.S. News & World Report. Children’s serves patients from every county in Alabama and is a cornerstone of the Birmingham medical community.
“We are honored to be the primary beneficiary of Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix,” said Tom Shufflebarger, president and CEO of Children’s of Alabama. “We have enjoyed our partnership with Medical Properties Trust for many years, and we cannot thank them enough for making Children’s of Alabama an even bigger part of this amazing weekend.”
The three-day racing event will take place April 28-30, featuring the NTT IndyCar Series. In its 13th year, the event is hosted at the world-renowned Barber Motorsports Park, home of the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum. This year’s event, April 28-30, kicks off the month of May leading into the Greatest Spectacle in Racing — the Indianapolis 500.
“We are incredibly excited about this agreement with Medical Properties Trust. It marks a new era for this event,” said Gene Hallman, CEO of ZOOM Motorsports, the exclusive promotor of Barber Motorsports Park. “We thank Medical Properties Trust for their partnership which will allow the event to be the first NTT IndyCar Series race to partner with a non-profit for the naming rights to a race.”
Honda will continue their long-standing partnership with the event as the official automobile partner.
The Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix is a signature event on the NTT IndyCar Series circuit. This year’s event will feature 10 races over three days with drivers such as Will Power, Romain Grosjean, Scott Dixon and Alex Palou at the world-renowned Barber Motorsports Park from April 28-30. The event generates more than $20 million in economic impact annually, with tickets sold in 50 states and eight countries.