Greg Sankey tweeted he has a “new level of respect for the drivers’ skills” after taking a “memorable” lap around Barber Motorsports Park in the pace car.

The SEC commissioner tweeted pictures – and a little video – of his spin in an IndyCar prior to the start of the Children’s of Alabama of Indy Grand Prix. For the record, Sankey rode shotgun.

IndyCar will remain at Barber Motorsports Park at least through 2027.

The series and ZOOM Motorsports announced an extension to continue racing at the permanent road course a few hours ahead of the 13th running.

The Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix has been held at the track since 2010. Medical Properties Trust, a real estate investment trust, reached a five-year sponsorship agreement for the naming rights earlier this year and gifted them to the Birmingham children’s hospital.

On the track Sunday, Scott McLaughlin was once again racing Romain Grosjean for a potential win.

McLaughlin got a late opening to surge past Grosjean, took advantage of it and was scarcely challenged the rest of the way Sunday at Barber Motorsports Park, where the New Zealander picked up his fourth career IndyCar win.

It was the second time this season they’ve been in that position, but this time McLaughlin and Grosjean avoided getting tangled up.

Grosjean had been furious with McLaughlin when the two touched heading into a corner at the season-opener in St. Petersburg, Florida, both slamming into a tire barrier. McLaughlin drew an avoidable contact penalty and later apologized to Grosjean.

After winning Sunday, McLaughlin said “there’s no hard feelings” between the two. McLaughlin had hugged Grosjean after their race-ending crash at St. Pete.

McLaughlin wound up with Team Penske’s seventh win in 13 races at the permanent road course — and his first since breaking out with three victories last season. He’d had to catch Grosjean again after getting passed coming off of pit road.

Defending race winner Pato O’Ward finished fourth and spent the first part of the race warily keeping an eye on Scott Dixon, who had fumed after contact sent him nose first into a tire barrier at Long Beach.

Alex Palou, the 2021 winner at Barber was fifth. Three-time Barber winner Josef Newgarden never recovered from apparent suspension issues after early contact with Felix Rosenqvist.

IndyCar points leader Marcus Ericsson, last year’s Indy 500 winner, finished 10th in his first race since getting married right after Long Beach.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.