Alabama Race Week Recap – Barber Motorsports Park
Barber Motorsports Park and the state of Alabama hold a special place in the hearts of Austin and the Racing With Autism team. Thanks to our close connection with the incredible charity, Ady’s Big Army, racing at Barber has come to feel like a true home race. We spent over a week in Alabama packed with meaningful events, exciting racing, and unforgettable moments. Here’s a look back at everything we got up to:
Day 1 – New Awning & Lincoln Electric Visit
Our journey began with a relatively short five-hour drive to Ohio for the installation of our brand-new trailer awning—a total game-changer. Beyond just looking great, it gives us more space, shelter from the elements, and a professional footprint at the track. While the install was underway, we made a special visit to one of our longest-standing sponsors, Lincoln Electric. Their plant tour was nothing short of incredible—the sheer scale and innovation were inspiring. In the afternoon, we returned to Dynamic Awning Solutions, where we even practiced setting up the awning ourselves. A massive thank you to Spark Power for funding this addition—it’s a true upgrade for the team.
Day 2 – Ady’s Big Army Charity Event
After a 12-hour overnight drive to Birmingham, we traded race suits for shirts and ties to attend Ady’s Big Army’s Art Auction. One of the highlights of the night was seeing Austin’s collaborative painting, Speed on the Spectrum, featured as a top raffle prize. Fittingly, it was won by a huge fan who had met Austin at a previous Ady’s event—an emotional and joyous moment for all.
Day 3 – A Team Trip to Talladega
We took a break from the track to go to a track for a team outing, the Talladega 500—our third time attending this iconic NASCAR event. For once, we got to sit back and enjoy the show. And yes, Austin managed to stay awake for the entire race this time… even if “just turning left” isn’t exactly his thing!
Day 5 – Set-Up at Barber
After a few days of errands, it was time to head to Barber Motorsports Park and set up for race weekend. The new awning and flooring looked absolutely amazing. It was a proud moment seeing everything come together. Thanks again, Spark Power, for helping us look as professional as we feel.
Day 6 – Practice Day Chaos
Thursday was packed, with Austin scheduled for four on-track practice sessions in just five hours—a tough ask for both the crew and the driver. The first session went smoothly, but back at the trailer, we discovered an oil leak. With such a tight schedule, there was no time for setup tweaks before Practice 2. The car became loose, and after another inspection, we found the leak had worsened. Eventually, Jeremy traced the issue to a nearly invisible crack in the stator cover. We had to skip Practice 3 to complete the repair and barely made it to the grid for Practice 4—just in time for a downpour. The session was red-flagged, but we got valuable data and escaped the incoming thunderstorms safely.
Day 7 – Qualifying, Race 1 & Race 2
Friday was another early start, arriving just before 6 a.m. Qualifying was challenging due to Thursday’s missed track time and three red flags during the session. Despite this, Austin qualified 5th in class and 12th overall in a 30-car field.
In Race 1, a massive turn-one crash forced Austin to take evasive action, costing him several positions. He fought back to finish 7th in class and 10th overall. After setup changes, Race 2 was a different story. Austin maintained position at the start and began reeling in the leaders with impressive pace. He climbed to 5th in class and 8th overall before a lengthy full-course caution ended his charge. He would start P2 in class and P6 overall for Saturday’s final race.
Day 8 – Race 3: A Wet Weather Masterclass
Heavy thunderstorms rolled in overnight, but our awning held strong. We arrived early for fan engagement—something Austin truly shines at. As another storm approached, we took a gamble and prepped the car with a rain setup. After lightning delays, the race was pushed back over an hour. When it finally began, the track was soaked, and conditions were brutal.
But this is where Austin shines. Calm, focused, and composed—he put on a wet-weather driving clinic. By turn 4, he was already up to 2nd in class and 4th overall. A lap later, P3. For 20 minutes, the top three pulled away from the field, driving in a league of their own. A late caution bunched the field again, but Austin pulled away once more after the restart and crossed the line 2nd in class and 3rd overall.
Under a clearing sky, Austin took to the podium to the sound of cheers from a passionate Alabama crowd. It was a powerful reminder of the impact he’s making—not just as a driver, but as a role model and inspiration.
After celebrating, thanking our supporters, and packing up, we hit the road at 9:30 p.m. for the 16-hour drive home. But with a result like that, it hardly felt like a chore.
Next up, we have a four-week break before heading to Road America—but there’s no rest! Austin will be the guest of honour at an upcoming autism charity car show next Wednesday, with his race car on display.
Thank you, as always, for your incredible support. Your belief in Austin makes all of this possible—and from the bottom of our hearts, we are grateful.
