WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca officially christened its renowned downhill turn the “Zanardi Corkscrew” to honor the late two‑time CART champion Alex Zanardi.
Celebrating a Landmark Pass
The ceremony took place Friday morning, just before the IndyCar Series season finale, on the 30th anniversary of Zanardi’s 1996 final-lap overtake on Bryan Herta. During that decisive move—known simply as “The Pass”—Zanardi slipped his wheels off the asphalt, plunged down the steeper sections of the corner, and secured the win. The moment is etched into the venue’s history and the driver’s legacy.
Key Figures and Tributes
Laguna Seca President and General Manager Mel Harder opened the event, presenting renderings for a permanent monument that will soon replace the turn’s current marker. Team owner Chip Ganassi, alongside Managing Director Mike Hull, recounted Zanardi’s 1996 arrival, which launched back‑to‑back CART championships in 1997 and 1998. Lived‑time friend Max Papis delivered a personal address on behalf of Zanardi’s wife Daniela and son Niccolò, emphasizing the determination and humor that resonated worldwide.
Parallel to the ceremony, the track showcased two cars that highlighted Zanardi’s impact: the championship‑winning #4 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Honda and Alex Palou’s current #10 car, both sporting a Zanardi‑inspired lightning‑bolt livery for the finale. Multi‑time champions Alex Palou, Scott Dixon, and Dario Franchitti, together with IndyCar President Doug Boles, paid homage to the late driver.
Future Memorial and Civic Honors
Mel Harder’s unveiling of monument renderings marks the first step toward a permanent tribute at the turn. Moreover, the ceremony was accompanied by a Monterey County proclamation and an In Memoriam presentation delivered by the California State Assembly, affirming Zanardi’s lasting influence beyond racing.
The renaming of the “Corkscrew” spot as the “Zanardi Corkscrew” not only memorializes a classic move but ensures the driver’s name remains inseparable from one of motorsport’s most cherished circuits. As the 2026 IndyCar series concludes, the track’s homage stands as a lasting testament to Zanardi’s fearlessness and enduring legacy on U.S. asphalt.
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