WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca will officially rename its iconic Corkscrew corner the Zanardi Corkscrew
on Friday. The permanent tribute honors late motorsports legend Alex Zanardi and coincides with the 30th anniversary of his historic last-lap overtake during the 1996 CART season finale.
Thirty years after a breathtaking maneuver reshaped the history of American open-wheel racing, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca will officially rename its iconic Corkscrew the Zanardi Corkscrew
during a Friday ceremony. The tribute permanently links the Italian racing icon’s name to the most famous landmark at the California circuit, arriving during the track’s season finale weekend on September 4–6, 2026.
The event brings together figures from throughout Zanardi’s career, including Chip Ganassi, Max Papis, and Doug Boles, alongside other racing legends. Organizers will unveil a commemorative marker at the corner, cementing a permanent memorial at the site where Zanardi secured his legacy.
Reliving the 1996 Pass and Chip Ganassi Racing’s Throwback Livery
The renaming falls on the 30th anniversary of “The Pass,” which took place on September 8, 1996. Driving the No. 4 Target Chip Ganassi Honda Reynard, Zanardi trailed Bryan Herta in the closing laps of the CART season finale. Entering the braking zone of the Corkscrew, Zanardi dove aggressively to the inside, cleared Herta, and took a quick detour through the paved runoff area before re-joining the track in the lead.
The unprecedented maneuver earned Zanardi the victory—the third of his rookie season—and propelled him toward two CART championships with the team. To honor that dominant era, Chip Ganassi Racing and sponsor DHL have partnered to bring back the iconic lightning bolt paint scheme for the No. 10 Honda driven by four-time IndyCar Series champion Alex Palou.
“I’m so excited to get the lightning bolt back on our car. We’re racing in memory of Alex Zanardi. We’re racing at Laguna, his place, his corner. And on top of that, it’s the 30th anniversary of CGR’s and Honda’s first IndyCar championship. So, we’re putting everything together for the fans, for ourselves as well. And hopefully it’s a great race for the #10 DHL car.”
Alex Palou, IndyCar driver for Chip Ganassi Racing, via Motorsport.com
The September 6 race weekend also marks the 30th anniversary of CGR’s first championship, which was won by Zanardi’s teammate Jimmy Vasser and marked Honda’s maiden IndyCar title.
Honoring an Unbreakable Legacy in Motorsports and Beyond
Zanardi’s career extended far beyond his early CART dominance. Racing for Chip Ganassi Racing from 1996 to 1998, he captured 15 race victories and two championships. Following a devastating crash at the Lausitzring in 2001 that resulted in the amputation of both legs, Zanardi mounted an extraordinary return to competitive racing.
He secured four race victories in the World Touring Car Championship, drove as a BMW factory driver at the 24 Hours of Daytona alongside Colton Herta—the son of his former rival Bryan Herta—and competed in the 2019 Rolex 24 at Daytona. Outside of motorsports, Zanardi became a world-class handcyclist, claiming four Paralympic gold medals and 12 Para-cycling World Championships.
“We are honored to celebrate Alex Zanardi’s legacy, a true motorsports legend whose determination, passion and ‘can-do’ spirit embody the same values that drive our employees every day.”
Greg Hewitt, CEO of DHL Express U.S., via Motorsport.com
The circuit previously placed a Grazie Alex
message at the Corkscrew during the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship round in May, coinciding with the Italian icon’s passing at the age of 59.
Championship Stakes and Track Records at Laguna Seca
For Palou and Chip Ganassi Racing, the Laguna Seca weekend carries significant competitive weight. Palou enters the event following a doubleheader at the Milwaukee Mile holding a 91-point lead in the championship standings, aiming to clinch a record-setting 18th IndyCar championship for the organization.
As a three-time Laguna Seca winner defending back-to-back victories at the circuit, Palou commands one of the most dominant five-race stretches at a single track in series history without ever finishing off the podium. Securing another victory at the track would tie Bobby Rahal’s all-time win record at Laguna Seca, while leading 12 more laps would grant Palou the venue’s all-time record for laps led.
Laguna Seca is especially meaningful as we celebrate 15 years in INDYCAR and an incredible season with Alex Palou,
Hewitt noted regarding the milestone weekend. Practice sessions for the season finale begin on Friday, setting the stage for a race meeting dedicated to celebrating both modern championship battles and enduring racing history.
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