BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – When INDYCAR first signed to run a race at Barber Motorsports Park, the company promoting the event predicted big things for the future. Critics weren’t so sure.

Jeff Ewing, then vice president of promoter ZOOM Motorsports, said at the time that INDYCAR was “alive” in the Deep South. Skeptics questioned that notion. After all, Barber is located just 37 miles from Talladega Superspeedway in the heart of NASCAR country.

HONDA INDY GRAND PRIX OF ALABAMA PRESENTED BY AMFIRST: Entry list

But those who predicted big things for INDYCAR and Barber were correct. For the NTT IndyCar Series, which is preparing this week for its 10th annual race at the 2.3-mile, 17-turn road course, the track has become one of the most popular and highly anticipated events each year.

This year is no different for the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama. Drivers and teams are eager to get back to the rolling hills just east of downtown Birmingham and try once more to master the tight turns and high speeds of one of America’s best road courses.

Especially the guy who won the most recent series race. After he became the youngest winning driver in Indy car history March 24 at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, Colton Herta was asked what was next. Barber Motorsports Park, of course.

“I've been bit by the bug now,” said Herta, an ironic statement considering the wealth of statues and sculptures situated around Barber Motorsports Park depicting Bigfoot, dinosaurs, tigers, zombies and, yes, insects. “One race (win) isn't enough. Going to go for another one at Barber. I just want to get there and drive again.”

In October 2007, INDYCAR visited Barber for a test session. Drivers enjoyed it and track officials began pursuing a permanent event at the facility, but nobody was quite sure how it would work. The 880-acre facility – built for motorcycles and featuring namesake George Barber’s Vintage Motorsports Museum as a centerpiece – was thought to be too tight and narrow for an auto race.

But after another test session at the facility in 2009 that Ewing, the then-VP for ZOOM, said was attended by more than 20,000 fans, it was added to the schedule for the following season.

“Open-wheel racing is alive in the Deep South,” Ewing proclaimed. “We're excited about the next three years and many more to come after that."

Indeed, it’s been three years times three and counting. Something not lost on Gene Hallman, the president of and CEO of ZOOM Motorsports since the NTT IndyCar Series first turned a wheel at Barber.

“It seems like yesterday we were traveling around the country to various INDYCAR events, trying to convince the series to bring their show to Birmingham, Alabama,” Hallman said. “INDYCAR was initially skeptical whether the series could succeed in the heart of NASCAR country, but the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama has been a fabulous success.”

Now, winning at Barber is considered a unique accomplishment. Nobody knows better than Josef Newgarden, who waited out an overnight rain delay to win the 2018 race for his third victory on the circuit in the past four years.

“It's very physical – really, really physical – one of the most physical tracks we go to for this race distance,” Newgarden said.

Newgarden’s 2018 triumph remains among the more memorable at Barber, for its duration to completion – the race was suspended after 22 laps due to heavy rain and treacherous track conditions, finishing the following day – and for Sebastien Bourdais’ gallant bid to try and get to the checkered flag on slick, dry-condition tires after the rain returned on completion day. Finally forced to pit for rain tires six laps from the finish, Bourdais surrendered the win to Newgarden.

It’s also favorably recalled for James Hinchcliffe’s admission that he had to relieve himself in his Indy car in what he later termed the “Grand Pee.” During the first of two red-flag stoppages for rain on the first day, Hinchcliffe unsuccessfully begged permission to get out of his car for a restroom break. Denied by INDYCAR officials, he had no recourse but to let nature take its course soon after while driving the circuit under a full-course yellow (yes, yellow).

“We got going again (under caution) and my legs were shaking,” Hinchcliffe said. “I had to go so bad. I was like, ‘I can’t drive a race car like this,’ so under caution, it took me a full lap (to relieve himself).

“It was one of the least comfortable experiences of my entire life, but I can officially say I’ve joined the likes of Will Power and Dario Franchitti and others who have peed themselves in their suit.”

Newgarden’s three wins at Barber are the most, but the Tennessean isn’t the only multiple winner at the track. Power and Ryan Hunter-Reay have each claimed victory on two occasions. Scott Dixon, the five-time and reigning NTT IndyCar Series champion, has finished on the Barber podium a miraculous seven times in nine tries but never on the top step.

Graham Rahal finished second in consecutive years in 2015 and ’16. His battle with Simon Pagenaud in the closing laps of the 2016 race – when Rahal bumped his way through to take the lead, only to see Pagenaud return the favor three laps later when Rahal was balked by a lapped car – remains one of the most exciting moments in Barber race history.

"Graham really caught up and he gave me a good piece of driving that was amazing from him," Pagenaud said. "I put my hat off to him for that. He got me really excited. ... I said, 'Yeah, I'm going to get that one back no matter what.' We had so much pace in the car that I could get back to him, and then it was about being aggressive."

Watch this video recap of past Barber Motorsports Park race winners:

Who will win the 10th edition of the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama on Sunday? What new memories will be created? No one knows just yet, but it’s certain to add another fine chapter to a decade-long history of popularity that the NTT IndyCar Series continues to enjoy at a glorious circuit in the Deep South.

“The star of our show is the world-class Barber Motorsports Park,” Hallman said. “The support from our sponsors, State of Alabama, City of Birmingham and INDYCAR has been tremendous, and we look forward to what the future holds.”

Action for the 10th annual Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama begins with practices Friday at 12:15 and 3:50 p.m. ET, following by a third practice at 11:45 a.m. Saturday (all stream live on INDYCAR Pass on NBC Sports Gold).

NTT P1 Award qualifying begins at 4 p.m. Saturday (NBCSN and INDYCAR Pass). Coverage of the 90-lap race starts at 4 p.m. Sunday on NBCSN.