MONTEREY, Calif. — 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.
