Tag: Weather Tech Raceway Laguna Seca

Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey Fast Facts

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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
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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

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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.

Race Recap: Java House Grand Prix of Monterey

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After six very good races in a row, IndyCar produced a rather dull show yesterday at Weather Tech Raceway Laguna Seca. The winner was never in doubt as Alex Palou won his eighth race of the season. The Chip Ganassi Racing driver should clinch the title at the next race in Portland.

Palou has a chance to finish the season with a record 11 wins should he sweep the rest of the schedule. A. J. Foyt won 10 races in 1964, and Al Unser, Sr. matched that victory total in 1970. Mario Andretti won nine times in 1969.

There were a couple of interesting on track battles, the best of which was between Colton Herta and Christian Lundgaard for second place late in the race.

Pato O’Ward did not get the start he needed from second place and had to settle for fourth place. He lost 22 points to Palou. If O’Ward does not gain 14 points on Palou at Portland, the championship is officially over.

Where is Race Control?

Once again race control dropped the ball and failed to throw an immediate yellow flag after Marcus Ericsson spun and stalled with his car sitting on the track in a dangerous spot on lap 77. It seemed to be at least a lap before the caution flag came out.

I believe the flag was held so that Alex Palou and other cars could pit. Allowing pit stops is not a good reason to withhold a necessary yellow. For those in the “No one should have their race ruined by a yellow crowd, I say, “breaks of the game.” Should a baseball umpire not call ball four on a high and wide pitch because it will spoil a pitcher’s no hitter?

Yes, Palou was the fastest car Sunday, but things happen, and the fastest car sometimes loses out because of circumstances. Ericsson’s car was in a vulnerable position and created a potential for a collision. One day, race control will get bitten by this dangerous practice of waiting to display a caution flag. I hope we don’t have to wait until something bad happens to see a change in procedures.

Ilott’s Great Drive

Callum Ilott gave Prema its best finish of the year, finishing sixth after starting 24th. He made several passes and used great pit strategy to advance. PREMA has done a very respectable job in their first IndyCar season, winning the pole for the Indianapolis 500 and now has two top 10 finishes for the season. Rookie Robert Shwartzman is just four points behind Louis Foster for Rookie of the Year.

Rookie Race

Louis Foster now leads Shwartzman by four points for Rookie honors with three races left. The pair entered yesterday’s race tied in points. Each has won a pole, Shwartzman has two top 10 finishes, while Foster’s best finish is 11th.

The rooie title will come down to the season finale at Nashville.

Laguna Seca Race Day; Tire Selections

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Alex Palou can’t clinch the title today, but he could set up a celebration in Portland. Today is probably Pato O’Ward’s last shot at keeping a title chase in play. I’m sticking with my original pick of Colton Herta to win today.

I have a commitment this afternoon, so I will watch the race this evening on replay. Look for my post race story tomorrow.

Starting Tire Selections

Qualification Results

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It is fitting that the top two drivers in the championship will start tomorrow’s race in the front row. A welcome back to the Fast Six to Will Power and Josef Newgarden. Four of the top six have won at Laguna Seca.

A 30 minute session, which will serve as the pre race warm up, will take place at 7 pm Eastern this evening. It will be shown on FS2.

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Revised Schedule: Qualifying Groups

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Practice has been canceled. The new schedule with Eastern times.

Today:
When fog lifts more, INDY NXT Quals FS1
2:30 pm: INDYCAR Quals FS1
4:30 pm: INDY NXT Race (35 Laps, 4:36p Green) FS2
7-7:30 pm INDYCAR Warmup FS2

Sunday:
1p: INDY NXT Race 2 (35 Laps, 1:06p Green) FS1
3p: INDYCAR Race FOX (95 Laps, 3:22p Green)

Qualifying groups based on yesterday’s practice:

Practice 1 Results

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A wild session with lots of off track excursions and two red flags. Alexander Rossi slid into the tire barriers and sustained some right front damage. Josef Newgarden spun off track and got stuck in the sand.

Pato O’Ward doesn’t think this title fight is over.He led most of the session.

From yhesterday:

Returning to My Roots

Practice 2 is at 11:30 Eastern and qualifying is at 2:30 Easte3rn. Both sessions are on FS1.

Results

Laguna Seca Preview

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Maximize and minimize. The final four races of the IndyCar season come down to those goals for two drivers. Pato O’Ward has to maximize the number of points each weekend to cut into the 99 point deficit he faces. Alex Palou has to minimize how many points he loses to O’Ward.

Palou won this race from the pole in 2024, his second win at laguna Seca. O’Ward has never finished higher than fifth here.

The Java House Grand Prix of Monterey begins the last quarter of the season, and it is the last race in a stretch of of five races in four weeks, and the results may further tighten Palou’s hold on the title or give O’Ward a bit more of a chance.

The picturesque track in Monterey, California, has hosted 27 IndyCar races beginning in 1983 with a 15 year gap after the 2004 race. The track served as the season finale until last year.

I received news yesterday that the famous Corkscrew sign no longer graces the hilltop near the highest point of the track. I hope there are signs to replace it.

In addition to the tiny bit of intrigue at the front of the standings, there is a terrific battle for 10th place going on. David Malukas is in 10th right now, seven points ahead of Rinus VeeKay and 19 points up on Santino Ferrucci. Malukas trails Will Power by four points for ninth place.

Only three drivers have won the last three races at this venue- Palou in 2022 and 2024; Colton Herta in 2019 and 2021; and Scott Dixon in 2023. I would not be surprised if one driver from this trio isn’t atop the podium on Sunday. I think Herta finally gets his first win of the season this weekend.

This weekend will likely be filled with 2026 schedule talk and silly season speculation, or possibly some confirmations.

This weekend’s schedule: Times are Pacific. Note Sunday’s IndyNXT race is on FS2.