American Honda Motor Company, Inc. has been announced as the title sponsor of the Indy Grand Prix of Alabama race weekend at Barber Motorsports Park, part of the Indycar series.

Sponsorship of the race, held in Birmingham, Alabama, will be multi-year, adding the 2.38-mile road course to a catalogue of Honda-titled Indycar events, including the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in Florida and the Honda Indy 200 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course north of Columbus. The circuit opened in 2003.

Steve Center, vice president, national marketing operations of American Honda, said of the deal; "Barber Motorsports Park will be a great addition to the Honda family of Indycar events. The Barber facility is incredible; it's state-of-the-art and very spectator-friendly. It has already developed a large and enthusiastic fan base, and many associates at our nearby Alabama auto assembly plant are a regular part of that audience."

The deal has been agreed with event promoter Zoom Motorsport, financial terms have not been disclosed.

The latest deal means Honda will feature as title sponsors of the opening two events of the 2011 Izod IndyCar Series at St. Petersburg and Barber Motorsports Park. Honda has recorded 174 race victories, twelve drivers' championships, ten manufacturers' Championships and seven Indianapolis 500 victories in an illustrious US open-wheel racing history dating back to 1994. The 2010 Indianapolis 500 marked the 100th Honda victory in IndyCar Series competition.

Source: SportsPro