WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca has formally renamed its iconic downhill sequence ahead of the IndyCar Series season finale, permanently honouring two-time CART champion Alex Zanardi. The Friday dedication ceremony marked three decades since the Italian driver executed a daring final-lap overtake on Bryan Herta during the 1996 meeting. Plunging through the dirt to secure victory, the audacious off-track manoeuvre became immortalised in American open-wheel history simply as “The Pass.”
Modern Officiating Contrasts Past Eras
While the celebration brought motorsport figures together, it also highlighted a stark shift in regulatory enforcement. Under contemporary stewarding frameworks, the very creativity that defined the racing of past decades would yield immediate penalties. Former Chip Ganassi Racing driver Juan Pablo Montoya pointed out the regulatory paradox during the event. “Today he would have to give the place back for exceeding track limits.” Six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon echoed these sentiments, noting how strict modern rules have virtually eliminated such rule-bending artistry. “It was epic. I think everybody around the world was like, ‘How did he do that?’ And I’m sure even when he came out the other side he was like, ‘How did I pull that off as well?’”
Ganassi Legacy Takes Centre Stage
Current and historic cars flanked the ceremony, pairing the 1996 Honda chassis with the vehicle of Álex Palou. Palou entered the 2026 campaign as the three-time defending series champion. The paddock now turns to the Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey to crown this year’s winner.
