---
title: "Inclement Weather Forces Red Flag at 2018 IndyCar Grand Prix of Alabama"
description: "IndyCar officials moved to postpone the 2018 Grand Prix of Alabama following a torrential downpour that led to several on-track collisions."
date: "2018-04-22"
modified: "2018-04-22"
authors:
  - name: "Jerry Perez"
    job_title: "Deputy Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/20314/inclement-weather-forces-red-flag-at-2018-indycar-grand-prix-of-alabama"
categories:
  - "News"
tags:
  - "Graham Rahal"
  - "Grand Prix of Alabama"
  - "Indycar Series"
  - "Josef Newgarden"
  - "racing"
  - "Racing News"
  - "team penske"
---

# Inclement Weather Forces Red Flag at 2018 IndyCar Grand Prix of Alabama

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/04/16c9789-1.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

The short-lived [2018 IndyCar Grand Prix of Alabama](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/19660/the-casual-fans-2018-indycar-spotters-guide>) resembled a scene out of Nintendo's Mario Kart more than a professionally sanctioned open-wheel race. After 22 laps that saw many drivers succumb to standing water and poor visibility due to heavy rain, race control decided to postpone the race until Monday at 12 noon EST.

Pole-sitter Josef Newgarden managed to lead the pack through all the chaos and even built a five-second gap to his Team Penske teammate Will Power by the time he crossed the finish line on lap five. The Tennessee-native appeared to be the only one who wasn't affected by [the poor track conditions](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/19608/sights-and-sounds-of-the-indycar-ims-road-course-test>), at least until he had a big moment and nearly lost his Chevrolet-powered IndyCar due to a big puddle on the main straightaway during the final restart.

https://twitter.com/_/status/988176001262870529

Power, Carlin's Charlie Kimball, and Chip Ganassi Racing's Ed Jones are just a few of the drivers who met their demise on the tire barriers at some point during the race. It's not clear whether IndyCar management will allow them to start tomorrow's rescheduled race.

“I was just going through the corner and he (Ed Jones) ran into the back of me," Kimball said. "Apparently, [the stewards reviewed it](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/19153/alexander-rossi-and-robert-wickens-indycar-collision-whos-to-blame>) and no action is taken and I vehemently disagree with that because, when you are driving your race, especially in the wet, you have to be conscious of where the cars are. Yeah, it's hard to see, but at the same time, it's just a dumb move. He is not a rookie anymore and he needs to not be making rookie mistakes like that.”

https://twitter.com/_/status/988176276879036417

It was after a 90 minute long red flag period that race organizers and IndyCar management moved to suspend the race. The race clock stopped at 44 minutes, 16 seconds, meaning that about 75 minutes remain to complete the two-hour timed race.

## Author
Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/drive_jerry/>)