BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- INDYCAR CEO Jeff Belskus and ZOOM Motorsports president and CEO Gene Hallman announced that terms for a three-year extension of the IZOD IndyCar Series race at Barber Motorsports Park have been reached.

“We are pleased to have agreed to terms to continue the tradition of our fast and versatile racing at Barber Motorsports Park,” said Belskus, a few hours before the green flag for the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama.  “Not only is Barber a terrific facility to showcase our close and exciting on-track product, it also gives INDYCAR a strong presence in key southeastern markets to further help us grow our sport.”

The April 7 race was the fourth for the IZOD IndyCar Series on the 90-lap race on the 2.38-mile, 17-turn road course. Hallman noted that tickets to the three-day event were sold to people in all 50 states and nine countries. The local economic impact is valued at $28 million annually.

Hallman announced that 57,963 ticket-holders -- the largest race day attendance in the four years of the event -- were at the venue. 

“INDYCAR has become very popular here in the heart of the Deep South and we look forward to continuing to grow the prominence of this race," Hallman said. "We certainly feel that INDYCAR is the appropriate partner to assist us in showcasing what is considered to be the finest road course facility in the U.S.”

The event in 2012 was voted “Best Annual Event” and “Best Sporting Event” by Birmingham Magazine, and the 2011 race earned the “Alabama Event of the Year” award from the state’s tourism department.