Laguna Seca Practice 1
INDYCAR Officiating AnnouncesWeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Grid Penalties
From IndyCar Officiating:
| INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, Sept. 4, 2026) – INDYCAR Officiating has announced six-position starting grid penalties for the entries of No. 4 A.J. Foyt Enterprises and No. 7 Arrow McLaren for unapproved engine changes following the two races at the Milwaukee Mile Sunday, Aug. 30. The entries were in violation of: Rule 16.1.2.3.2. A fifth (5th) Engine is eligible to earn Engine Manufacturer points and will be considered an Approved Engine Change-Out if a Full Season Entrant has completed the Full Season Entrant Engine Mileage with its first four (4) Engines. Otherwise, a fifth (5th) or more Engine does not earn Engine Manufacturer points and will be considered an Unapproved Engine Change-Out. According to Rule 16.1.6.1.2., the penalty is a six-position starting grid penalty on road and street course events and nine positions at oval events and will be served at the series’ next event, which is the Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Sunday, Sept. 6. |
Palou, Rossi To Test New NTT INDYCAR SERIESChassis Sept. 9-10 on IMS Oval
From IndyCar:
NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers Alex Palou and Alexander Rossi will participate in the first oval test of the new-for-2028 NTT INDYCAR SERIES IR-28 chassis Sept. 9-10 on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway 2.5-mile oval.
The test is the second on-track validation test of the IR-28. The new NTT INDYCAR SERIES chassis and powertrain package includes a modernized look designed to provide for faster lap times and improved raceability, encouraging more wheel-to-wheel action, while also creating the safest car yet for “The Fastest Racing on Earth.”
The new car will make its competition debut at the start of the 2028 NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship.2016 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge winner Rossi is scheduled to test Wednesday, Sept. 9.
Five-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion and 2025 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge winner Palou is scheduled to test Thursday, Sept. 10.
The Turn 2 Viewing Mounds will be open to the public both days.
WHO: Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing and Alexander Rossi, ECR
WHAT: INDYCAR IR-28 Validation Test on Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval
Laguna Seca Preview
Friday’s schedule:
IndyCar Practice 5 pm Eastern FS2
The 2026 IndyCar season once again comes to an all too early end Sunday with the Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey at Weather Tech Raceway. Alex Palou has once again wrapped up the title, but there are still three things to settle. It has been an interesting season, which I will discuss next week.
The battle for second– Second place in the strandings has been a revolving door4 all season, with Kyle Kirkwood and David Malukas trading possession of the runner-up spot. Now, Christian Lundgaard has taken the position, and Malukas has fallen to fifth place.
Lundgaard leads Kirkwood by two points and his teammate Pato O’Ward is just four points behind. Malukas still has a chance, trailing by 23 points. Based on each drivers’ road course performances this season, I think Lundgaard has the edge. We’ ll see.
The fight for the last spot in the Leaders’ Circle is the same as the battle for Rookie of the Year. Dennis Hauger holds the lead in rookie points by 18 over Mick Schumacher. Hauger also holds the final Leaders'[ Circle spot. Caio Collet is 30 points behind Hauger
Look for Palou to win this race in a rout. He might as well. I always feel sorr4y for the winner of the season finale if it isn’t the series champion. The driver gets minimal recognition for winning the race, and I find it even sadder should coming home first happen to be that driver’s first career victory.
Rinus VeeKay is currently in 10th place, leading Will Power by 13 points. A top 10 finish by Jucos Hollinger would be quite an achievement for this team. VeeKay has far outperformed his equipment all year.
The track will be very busy as IndyNXT will settle its championship fight with a pair of races. Nikita Johnson leads Enzo Fittipaldi by just three points, and Tymek Kucharczyk is 29 points behind Hauger. It will be difficult for Collet to move up.
In addition to IndyCar action, today at 12:15 pm Eastern the corkscrew will be renamed in honor of Alex Zanardi, honoring the last exciting move made by a driver on the track. The clip of this pass is played constantly, and I look for FOX to run it at least 100 times this weekend, or so it will seem.
The one thing I do wish I were there to see is the historic car laps driven by legends of the sport. Bryan Herta and Tony Kanaan are two drivers whim I would love to see on track.
The cars on display:
1911 National Model 40
1933 Rigling & Henning Wonder Bread Special
1951 Schroeder Blakely Oil Special
1953 Kurtis 500B — D-A Lubricant Special
1956 Kurtis Kraft 500C
1961 Watson Denver-Chicago
1962 Watson Bill Forbes Special
1966 Eagle Eagle 66
1967 Gilbert Cheetah
1967 Watson Watson 67
1968 Gerhardt Gerhardt 68
1979 McLaren M24B
1983 March 83C
1985 March 85C
1986 March 86C
1988 Ferrari PPG Pace Car
1988 Lola T88/00
1990 Lola T90/00
1994 Lamborghini Pace Car
1994 Lola T94/00
1996 Lola T96/00
1996 Reynard 96I
1999 Riley & Scott Mk V
2001 Dallara IR-01
2001 Reynard 01I
2003 Dallara IR03
2004 Lola B02/00
2007 Panoz DP01
2019 Dallara DW12
2022 Dallara DW12
IndyCar Revises Driver License Standards
IndyCar announced today new2 eligibility standards for participation in the NTT IndyCar Series. The new standards are an attempt to ensure rides go to drivers with qualifications and driving ability rather than anyone who can write a large enough check to get into a car.
I like that IndyNXT has a prioritize4d path to IndyCar. The top rung of the ladder series has needed more value, and these rules help provide it. The issue, as always, is seat availability.
The standards still allow for drivers from other major series to join the series [providing they have enough experience.
My concern is for teams like Dale Coyne Racing, who rely on large checks from a driver to fund their program for a season. Will Coyne need to sell a full charter or a part of one? How much time would that buy the team?
These standards will likely undergo some tweaking as they are put into practice.
Here are the new standards from iIdyCar:
I will have my Laguna Seca preview posted tomorrow morning.
Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey Fast Facts
From IndyCar:
| Race weekend: Friday, Sept. 4-Sunday, Sept. 6 Track: WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, an 11-turn, 2.238-mile permanent road course in Monterey, California Race distance: NTT INDYCAR SERIES: Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey: 95 laps / 212.61 miles | INDY NXT by Firestone: INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey Race 1: 35 laps / 78.33 miles / 55 minutes; INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey Race 2: 30 laps / 67.14 miles / 50 minutes (each race) Push to Pass parameters: NTT INDYCAR SERIES: 150 seconds of total time, with a maximum time of 15 seconds per activation. | INDY NXT by Firestone: 65 seconds of total time. Hybrid energy deployment parameters: NTT INDYCAR SERIES: Unlimited activation, with a maximum deployment of 350 kilojoules (kJ) per lap. Firestone tire allotment: NTT INDYCAR SERIES: Five sets primary, five sets alternate to be used during the event weekend. Teams must use one set of primary and one new set of alternate tires unless wet conditions are declared. One additional set is available for the weekend’s first session to teams fielding a rookie driver. | INDY NXT by Firestone: Three new sets to be used during the event weekend. Two carryover sets from the Portland event may be used during Friday’s practice sessions. X: @WeatherTechRcwy, @INDYCAR, @INDYNXT, #INDYCAR Instagram: @weathertechraceway, @INDYCAR, @INDYNXT, #INDYCAR Threads: @INDYCAR, @INDYNXT Facebook: @WeatherTechRaceway, @INDYCAR, @INDYNXT, #INDYCAR TikTok: @INDYCAR, #INDYCAR YouTube: @INDYCAR Event website: www.weathertechraceway.com INDYCAR website: www.indycar.com INDY NXT by Firestone website: www.indynxt.com 2025 race winners:NTT INDYCAR SERIESAlex Palou (No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda) INDY NXT by Firestone Race 1: Caio Collet (No. 76 HMD Motorsports) Race 2: Caio Collet (No. 76 HMD Motorsports) 2025 NTT P1 Award winner (NTT INDYCAR SERIES): Alex Palou (No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda), 1:08.3413, 117.891 mph 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone pole winners:Race 1: Caio Collet (No. 76 HMD Motorsports), 1:13.2566, 109.981 mph Race 2: Caio Collet (No. 76 HMD Motorsports), 1:13.3283, 109.873 mph Qualifying records: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Christian Lundgaard, 1:06.4610, 121.226 mph, Sept. 9, 2023 INDY NXT by Firestone Christian Rasmussen, 1:11.7225, 112.333 mph, Sept. 9, 2023 FOX Sports telecasts: NTT INDYCAR SERIES: Practice 1, 5 p.m. ET Friday, FS2 (live); Practice 2, 1 p.m. ET Saturday, FS2 (live); Qualifying, 4:30 p.m. ET Saturday, FS2 (live); Final Practice, 8 p.m. ET Saturday, FS2 (live); Pre-Race Show, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, FOX (live); Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey, 3 p.m. ET Sunday, FOX (live). Will Buxton is the play-by-play announcer for FOX’s coverage of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, alongside analysts Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe. Georgia Henneberry, Kevin Lee and Jack Harvey are the pit reporters. A Spanish-language telecast will be available on FOX Deportes. | INDY NXT by Firestone: Practice 1, 4 p.m. ET Friday, FS2 (live); Practice 2, 6:30 p.m. ET Friday, FS2 (live); Qualifying, 3 p.m. ET Saturday, FS2 (live); Race 1, 6:30 p.m. ET Saturday, FS2 (live); Race 2, 12:30 p.m. ET Sunday, FS1 (live). Kevin Lee is the play-by-play announcer for FOX Sports’ coverage of INDY NXT by Firestone alongside analyst Jack Harvey. Georgia Henneberry is the pit reporter. INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls broadcasts: Mark Jaynes is the anchor alongside driver analyst Davey Hamilton. Nick Yeoman is the turn announcer. Michael Young, Alex Wollf and DJ Clark are the pit reporters. The Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey race (2:30 p.m. ET Sunday) can be heard live on network affiliates nationwide. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES race, NTT P1 Award Qualifying (4:30 p.m. ET Saturday) and all NTT INDYCAR SERIES practices also air live on SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation 190, indycar.com/leaderboard and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA. All INDY NXT by Firestone practices, qualifying sessions and races are available on SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation 190, indycar.com/leaderboard and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA. At-track schedule (all times local): Friday, Sept. 4 1-1:25 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone practice 1, FS2 (Live) 2-3:20 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice 1 (40 minutes for all cars, followed by two groups for 12 minutes each), FS2 (Live)3:35-4 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone practice 2, FS2 (Live) Saturday, Sept. 5 10:05-11:25 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice 2 (40 minutes for all cars, followed by two groups for 12 minutes each), FS2 (Live) Noon-12:30 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Qualifying (Two groups, 10 minutes each / Fastest lap determines the lineup for Race 1, second fastest lap determines the lineup for Race 2), FS2 (Live) 1:35 p.m. – Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey NTT P1 Award qualifying (three rounds of knockout qualifying), FS2 (Live) 3:31 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey Race 1 “Drivers, Start Your Engines” 3:38 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey Race 1 (35 laps / 78.33 miles / 55 minutes), FS2 (Live)5: 10-5:40 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES final practice, FS2 (Live) Sunday, Sept. 6 9:31 a.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey Race 2 “Drivers, Start Your Engines” 9:38 a.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey Race 2 (30 laps / 67.14 miles / 50 minutes), FS1 (Live) 11:30 a.m. – FOX on air 11:58 a.m. – Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey “Drivers, Start Your Engines” 12:05 p.m. – Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey (95 laps/212.61 miles), FOX (Live) Race Notes:Alex Palou became the second driver to win four consecutive INDYCAR SERIES championships when he clinched his fifth NTT INDYCAR SERIES crown on Aug. 30 at the Milwaukee Mile.The Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey will be the 29th INDYCAR SERIES race at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca but just the sixth since 2004. Teo Fabi won the first INDYCAR SERIES race at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in 1983. Alex Palou has won the last two races at the track in 2024 and 2025.Scott Dixon and Alex Palou are the only former winners entered in this year’s race. Team Penske has won six times at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Penske’s winning drivers are Danny Sullivan (1988, 1990), Rick Mears (1989), Paul Tracy (1993, 1994) and Helio Castroneves (2000). Chip Ganassi Racing also has six wins with Alex Palou (2022, 2024, 2025), Scott Dixon (2023), Alex Zanardi (1996) and Jimmy Vasser (1997). Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing has three wins with Bryan Herta (1998, 1999) and Max Papis (2001). Twenty-two drivers entered in the event have competed in past INDYCAR SERIES races at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Scott Dixon has eight starts, most among the entered drivers. Nine entered drivers have led laps at the track: Alex Palou 250, Kyle Kirkwood 24, Will Power 23, Dixon 22, Pato O’Ward 15, Felix Rosenqvist 11, Nolan Siegel 11, Alexander Rossi 10 and Josef Newgarden 10. Rookies Caio Collet, Dennis Hauger and Mick Schumacher will race an NTT INDYCAR SERIES car at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for the first time this weekend. Collet swept the INDY NXT by Firestone doubleheader last season at Laguna Seca.Milestones: Scott Dixon will attempt to make his 375th consecutive start, extending his record streak…Graham Rahal will attempt to make his 275th consecutive start, the third-longest streak in INDYCAR SERIES history…Josef Newgarden will attempt to make his 236th consecutive start and the 250th start of his career…Dixon can also extend his series record to 437 career starts with a start on Sunday INDY NXT by Firestone notes: The INDY NXT by Firestone title fight heads west for a doubleheader championship finale as the INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey hits the track on Saturday and Sunday. There are six drivers mathematically eligible for the 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone championship: Nikita Johnson, Enzo Fittipaldi, Tymek Kucharczyk, Max Taylor, Lochie Hughes and Alessandro de Tullio. Johnson, a rookie from St. Petersburg, Florida, leads Fittipaldi, a rookie from Brazil and grandson of former INDYCAR SERIES and Indianapolis 500 champion Emerson Fittipaldi, by three points entering the weekend. Poland’s Kucharczyk is 29 points behind the lead with Taylor 77 points back. The ultra-competitive 2026 season has seen nine winners in 15 races and 12 different drivers finish on the podium.The INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey doubleheader will be the series’ 33rd and 34th races at WeatherTech Raceway at Laguna Seca. Previous INDY NXT by Firestone winners at Laguna Seca include Bryan Herta, Andre Ribeiro, Greg Moore, Tony Kanaan, Cristiano da Matta, Scott Dixon, Townsend Bell, Spencer Pigot, Rinus VeeKay, Kyle Kirkwood, Christian Rasmussen and Louis Foster. Current NTT INDYCAR SERIES rookie Caio Collet swept the Grand Prix of Monterey doubleheader in 2025. |
Weather Tech Raceway to Officially Rename Iconic Corkscrew in Honor of Alex Zanardi
From Weather Tech Raceway Communications:
| The once in a lifetime dedication of the “Zanardi Corkscrew” happens Friday, Sept. 4th and commemorates the 30th anniversary of “The Pass,” and celebrates the life and legacy of Alex Zanardi MONTEREY, CA. (Sept. 1, 2026) – One of the most famous turns in all of motorsports will carry the name of one of the sport’s most unforgettable competitors, and fans are invited to attend the ceremony. WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca will officially dedicate and name “Zanardi Corkscrew” on Friday, September 4th at 9:15 am. Honoring the late Alex Zanardi and commemorating the 30th anniversary of his extraordinary pass that became one of the defining moments of his remarkable career. The ceremony will bring together special guests from throughout Zanardi’s career including Chip Ganassi, Max Papis, Doug Boles, and other INDYCAR legends, as the motorsports community reflects on the moment that forever connected Alex to Laguna Seca. Plans for a commemorative marker recognizing the Zanardi Corkscrew will be unveiled during the ceremony, permanently linking Zanardi’s name with the most famous landmark in motorsports. The dedication also recognizes Zanardi’s extraordinary contributions to motorsports and the lasting impact he made on competitors and fans around the world. On September 8, 1996, during the final lap of the CART season finale at Laguna Seca, Zanardi, driving the #4 Target Chip Ganassi Honda Reynard made a daring move on Bryan Herta entering the Corkscrew. It was the final lap of the 1996 season and resulted in a win. The breathtaking maneuver became known simply as “The Pass.” Thirty years later, it remains one of the most recognized moments in the history of Laguna Seca and American open-wheel racing. The image of Zanardi attacking the Corkscrew with characteristic determination and fearlessness has become inseparable from the legacy of the circuit itself. “I met Alex in his Rookie INDYCAR year with Chip,” said Bruce Canepa. “We will always remember his fearless racing style, his determination and, perhaps most of all, that infectious smile that made him so beloved throughout the motorsports community.” But Zanardi’s legacy extends far beyond a single corner or a single race. A two-time CART champion and winner of 15 CART races, Zanardi became one of the most popular drivers of his generation through his talent, personality and unmistakable passion for competition. Following the devastating 2001 accident at the Lausitzring that resulted in the loss of both of his legs, Zanardi made an extraordinary return to racing and later became a champion handcyclist and Paralympic gold medalist. His perseverance, competitive spirit and ability to inspire others transcended motorsports, earning admiration around the world. The Corkscrew is one of motorsports’ most recognizable and technically demanding turns, dropping dramatically in elevation as drivers crest the blind Turn 8 before plunging downhill through Turn 8A. For generations of racers and fans, it has been the signature feature of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Beginning September 4, it will also serve as a permanent tribute to a racer whose courage, determination and indomitable spirit left an enduring mark on the sport. The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Championship Finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca sets the stage for a thrilling Labor Day weekend on the legendary Monterey Peninsula circuit. The weekend brings today’s stars of open-wheel racing to the same track where Zanardi created one of the sport’s most enduring moments 30 years ago. The season finale will feature the stars and cars of INDYCAR and INDYNXT, Porsche Sprint Challenge, the Indy Autonomous Challenge, and the Historic INDYCAR Exhibition, along with a full weekend of racing, fan experiences and special events. It promises a fitting celebration of the sport’s remarkable history and its next chapter — beginning with a tribute to a driver whose legacy will now forever be part of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Tickets, hospitality and camping are available at WeatherTechRaceway.com. |
| About WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is a world-renowned motorsport facility located in Monterey, California, operated and managed by Friends of Laguna Seca, a 501c(3) non-profit. Nestled among scenic hills, it has a rich history of hosting premier racing events, making it a favorite destination for motorsport enthusiasts from around the world. The 2.238-mile raceway features 11 challenging turns and approximately 180 feet of elevation change, including the world-famous Corkscrew, providing a thrilling experience for both drivers and fans. Friends of Laguna Seca is committed to delivering top-tier racing and entertainment experiences year after year. Find out how you can get involved at FriendsOfLagunaSeca.org. |
Laguna Seca Schedule
All times Pacific
From yesterday:
O’Ward Doubles Up in Milwaukee
Just as David Malukas lit the torch to burn the broom, Pato O’Ward snuffed out the flame and drove past Malukas on the final restart to win both races at the Milwaukee Mile on Sunday.
I just watched the replay of Race 1 (second race of the day). here are some quick thoughts.
The history books had a huge rewrite after the race.
The sense of urgency to complete the race, enhanced by sprinkles of rain at the beginning, made for some great moves and some exciting passing.
The completion oof Race 1 from Saturday quickly became an event dominated by Malukas, who clearly had the fastest car. But on the restart with 24 laps to go, an engine hiccup in the Verizon car allowed O’Ward to get past him and win by more than a second.
Malukas now has six second place finishes in his career without a victory. The consensus going into 2026 was that Malukas would surely win a race in his first year with Team Penske. I hope he takes solace in the fact that Simon Pagenaud did not win a race in his first year with Penske either. Pagenaud turned out to be oretty good.
O’Ward is the seventh driver to win two races in one day, and the first since Rick Mears, who won twice at Atlanta in 1981. Other drivers who have achieved this rare feat are Johnny Rutherford, Al Unser, Bobby Unser, Mario Andretti, and Dan Gurney. That is not a bad club to be as member of.
More history came at the end of the final race of the day as Alex Palou won his fifth IndyCar title in six years and his fourth in a row. Palou joins Serbastien Bourdais as the only driver to win four consecutive championships. Only A. J. Foyt (7) and Scott Dixon (6) have more titles than Palou, But the Spaniard is just 29 years old, three years younger than Foyt was when he won his fifth title.
A third bit of history which FOX gave just a scant whiff of notice to was Rinus VeeKay finishing third for Juncos Hollinger Racing. I believe this is the first podium for the team, and deserved more than showing the team celebrating as they went off the air.
VeeKay was one of Sunday’s best drivers. He fell out of contention in the afternoon race after a slow pit stop. VeeKay had been in the top five most of that race. In the nightcap the driver from the Netherlands took third place from Scott McLaughlin with a brilliant move just three laps from the checkered flag.
FOX- A Tired Crew?
I don’t know, but I can assume that the FOX crew was just as tired as everyone else was by the end of the day Sunday. I though the telecast of the suspended race was one of their worst of the season.
The pit stop timer was an on again, off again thing, missing at the crucial stops of the le4aders. Many teams did a remarkable job of completing stops with no time elapsed.
I didn’t understand their obsession with Josef Newgarden, lingering in the bottom half of the top 10. We didn’t need to see his onboard camera for several laps. There was also an inset of 15th place Kyle Kirkwood which was unnecessary.
I look for an improved show from a refreshed broadcast team next Sunday.
I will have a full weekend wrap up tomorrow.
The Pit Window by Mike Silver 