MONTEREY, Calif., Sept. 2, 2026 — In a highly anticipated event, world-famous legends of American open-wheel racing will return to the cockpit this weekend as WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca brings INDYCAR history roaring back to life during the Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey.
Bobby Rahal, Tony Kanaan, Bryan Herta, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Max Papis, Danny Sullivan, Dominic Dobson and Zak Brown are among the celebrated drivers scheduled to get behind the wheel of historic INDYCAR machines for a series of on-track exhibitions throughout Championship Weekend.
Rather than simply seeing legendary cars on display, fans will have the rare opportunity to see and hear them at speed on the same circuit where they made history, with some of the sport’s most accomplished drivers back behind the wheel.
Few circuits are as intertwined with the history of American open-wheel racing as WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, and several of the drivers participating in the exhibition have particularly remarkable histories at the Monterey circuit.
Bobby Rahal owns one of the most extraordinary records at Laguna Seca. His first professional victory came here in a Can-Am race in 1979, followed by an unprecedented four consecutive victories from 1984 through 1987. Today, the run from Turn 6 toward the Corkscrew carries his name as the Rahal Straight.
Bryan Herta became synonymous with Laguna Seca during the CART era, winning back-to-back races in 1998 and 1999. But one of his most famous moments at the circuit came two years earlier. Herta was leading the final lap of the 1996 race when Alex Zanardi made his unforgettable move through the Corkscrew, creating one of the defining moments in INDYCAR history: “The Pass.”
Max Papis authored another of Laguna Seca’s most improbable victories in 2001, charging from 25th on the starting grid to win for Team Rahal. The remarkable drive established a CART/Indy car benchmark for the furthest back a driver had started to win on a road or street course.
Two-time Laguna Seca Indy car winner Danny Sullivan will also return to the track. Sullivan won from pole in 1988, clinching the CART championship, and returned to Victory Lane in 1990 after another pole-winning performance.
The lineup also includes some of the most accomplished drivers of their generations. 2012 INDYCAR champion and 2014 Indianapolis 500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay, 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner and 2004 INDYCAR champion Tony Kanaan, and longtime INDYCAR competitor Dominic Dobson will join the historic demonstration.
Together, the drivers and cars will provide a moving timeline of open-wheel racing, connecting generations of machinery, technology and personalities with the stars competing for today’s NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship.
The Historic INDYCAR Exhibition is especially fitting during a weekend celebrating the circuit’s remarkable place in INDYCAR history. From Rahal’s four consecutive victories to Herta’s back-to-back wins, Sullivan’s championship-clinching performance, Papis’ charge from the back and the unforgettable Zanardi-Herta battle through the Corkscrew, Laguna Seca has produced moments that remain part of the sport’s collective memory.
Now, fans will have the opportunity to experience that history not in photographs or videos, but at speed and in person.
Historic INDYCAR On-Track Exhibitions
Fans can see the historic cars on track throughout the Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey weekend:
- Friday: 11:15–11:40 a.m. and 4:55–5:15 p.m.
- Saturday: 8:25–8:45 a.m.
- Sunday: 8:00–8:20 a.m. and 11:00–11:08 a.m.
Schedule subject to change.
The Historic INDYCAR Exhibition adds another dimension to a weekend that will crown the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone champions at one of North America’s most storied road courses.
Watch history come alive as the legends return to the wheel and some of INDYCAR’s most significant machines once again thunder through the Corkscrew at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
The heritage Indy cars will be on display in the Heritage Display in the paddock when they are not on track.
For tickets, schedules and additional information, visit WeatherTechRaceway.com.
Historic Indy Cars on Display
| Year | Make | Model / Designation |
|---|---|---|
| 1911 | National | Model 40 |
| 1933 | Rigling & Henning | Wonder Bread Special |
| 1951 | Schroeder | Blakely Oil Special |
| 1953 | Kurtis | 500B — D-A Lubricant Special |
| 1956 | Kurtis Kraft | 500C |
| 1961 | Watson | Denver-Chicago |
| 1962 | Watson | Bill Forbes Special |
| 1966 | Eagle | Eagle 66 |
| 1967 | Gilbert | Cheetah |
| 1967 | Watson | Watson 67 |
| 1968 | Gerhardt | Gerhardt 68 |
| 1979 | McLaren | M24B |
| 1983 | March | 83C |
| 1985 | March | 85C |
| 1986 | March | 86C |
| 1988 | Ferrari | PPG Pace Car |
| 1988 | Lola | T88/00 |
| 1990 | Lola | T90/00 |
| 1994 | Lamborghini | Pace Car |
| 1994 | Lola | T94/00 |
| 1996 | Lola | T96/00 |
| 1996 | Reynard | 96I |
| 1999 | Riley & Scott | Mk V |
| 2001 | Dallara | IR-01 |
| 2001 | Reynard | 01I |
| 2003 | Dallara | IR03 |
| 2004 | Lola | B02/00 |
| 2007 | Panoz | DP01 |
| 2019 | Dallara | DW12 |
| 2022 | Dallara | DW12 |
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 501(c)(3) nonprofit. 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.
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WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca to Officially Rename Iconic Corkscrew in Honor of Alex Zanardi