Romain Grosjean demonstrates consistency and grit to secure a second-consecutive P2 finish

Off the back of a second-place finish in Long Beach, California; Step One Motorsports ambassador Romain Grosjean competed at the Children’s of America Grand Prix of Alabama this weekend. 

Barber Motorsports Park opened in 2003 and has hosted IndyCar since 2010 on its beautiful, sprawling green campus. The 16-turn asphalt road course is meant to be driven clockwise, with its 2.38-mile (3.83-kilometer) distance offering elevation changes of more than 80 feet (24 meters). Drivers must complete 90 laps on their quest for victory around the Birmingham track, taking on each straight and turn with confidence and precision.

During Saturday’s qualifying, Grosjean secured a second pole position of the season, putting his blistering pace on display. Sunday’s race start saw Grosjean take off cleanly and retain his first-place spot, holding back the rest of the field lap after lap. The Swiss-French driver’s first pit stop occurred one-third of the way through the race, on lap 30, from which he emerged in P6. After pit stops elsewhere in the field, Grosjean regained the race lead on lap 37, just before a caution was thrown two laps later due to a car stalled on the track. A little more than 20 laps later, with a comfortable gap built from the second-placed Scott McLaughlin, Grosjean dove into the pits once more and regained the lead in quick succession. In the race’s closing stages, McLaughlin and the Andretti Autosport driver found themselves closer together, meaning Grosjean had to go on the defensive. With less than 20 laps to go, the second-placed McLaughlin passed Grosjean’s number 28 Chevy-powered car, Grosjean being out of push-to-pass, and he crossed the line in P2 upon the wave of the checkered flag. Grosjean continues to exhibit incredible confidence and speed behind the wheel, with his first IndyCar Series win looking all but inevitable during the 2023 season.

Grosjean and IndyCar will next take to the track in Indianapolis, Indiana to compete at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course (May 12-13, 2023).