---
title: "IndyCar GP of Alabama: Drivers’ Heated Post-Race Reactions on Social Media"
description: "The IndyCar GP of Alabama saw drivers celebrate, pee themselves, and even get into heated arguments."
date: "2018-04-24"
modified: "2018-04-24"
authors:
  - name: "Jerry Perez"
    job_title: "Deputy Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/20349/indycar-gp-of-alabama-drivers-heated-post-race-reactions-on-social-media"
categories:
  - "News"
tags:
  - "Andretti Autosport"
  - "Grand Prix of Alabama"
  - "Indycar Series"
  - "James Hinchcliffe"
  - "Josef Newgarden"
  - "racing"
  - "Racing News"
  - "Ryan Hunter-Reay"
  - "team penske"
---

# IndyCar GP of Alabama: Drivers’ Heated Post-Race Reactions on Social Media

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/04/41bk0893.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

The first three races of the [2018 IndyCar season](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/19660/the-casual-fans-2018-indycar-spotters-guide>) have already enjoyed some dramatic moments, whether it was Alexander Rossi and Robert Wickens crashing in St. Petersburg or Sebastien Bourdais making the pass of a lifetime only to be penalized for it in Long Beach, but the Grand Prix of Alabama was like "hold my beer" and took things to a new level.

The first go-around at Barber Motorsports Park [only lasted 22 laps](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/20314/inclement-weather-forces-red-flag-at-2018-indycar-grand-prix-of-alabama>) and was ultimately postponed to Monday due to heavy rain and standing water on the race track. The second go-around of the Grand Prix of Alabama took place on Monday afternoon, and what initially looked like a bone-dry race ended up turning into a wet mayhem towards the end of it, just like the day before. Of course, this caused a few tempers to flare, more specifically those of Gabby Chaves and [Simon Pagenaud](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/19783/indycars-simon-pagenaud-and-josef-newgarden-involved-in-legit-autograph-war>), as you'll see on our social media recap below.

### Josef Newgarden—First Place

https://twitter.com/_/status/988480736041865216

Newgarden's driving was pure masterclass this weekend, but it wasn't completely error-free. The Tenessee native had a couple of "oh-crap" moments due to standing water or putting a wheel on the grass, but his skills allowed him to recuperate and overcome. This marks the third win at Barber for Newgarden.

### Ryan Hunter-Reay—Second Place

https://twitter.com/_/status/988567145742290944

Hunter-Reay benefitted from a spot-on pit strategy, which saw him move up the field when everyone else was still confused about what to do with the incoming rain. The American salvaged what otherwise would've been a disastrous race for [Andretti Autosport](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/19895/mario-andretti-opens-up-about-indycar>).

### James Hinchcliffe—Third Place

https://twitter.com/_/status/988589437520175104

We called this one! When we shared our story about James Hinchcliffe having [peed his driving suit during Sunday's delayed race](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/20315/indycars-james-hinchcliffe-admits-to-peeing-himself-amidst-race-delay>), we said that such act of silliness would most likely bring him good luck on Monday. Well, we're not fortune tellers, but we surely got this one right. Sadly, the [terrorist attack](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/20338/suspect-arrested-after-van-strikes-multiple-pedestrians-in-toronto-killing-9-people>) that took place in Toronto soured Hinchcliffe's near-victory.

### Simon Pagenaud and Gabby Chaves—Ninth and 17th Place

https://twitter.com/_/status/988470879213555713

The heavy rain that attacked the track in the closing laps and [Pagenaud's attempt to save fuel](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/20093/the-indycar-autograph-battle-escalates>) while charging to the middle of the field didn't mix well with Chaves, who even though was two laps down, was still fighting Tony Kanaan and Rene Binder for position. Pagenaud felt like Chaves blocked him unnecessarily and confronted Chaves about it. Tempers flared, and well, the rest you can watch on the NSFW video.

## 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/>)