WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Welcomes INDYCAR With New Facility Upgrades

MONTEREY, Calif. (July 18, 2025) – WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca will unveil a number of on- and off-track facility improvements when drivers and fans return to the iconic road course for the Java House Grand Prix of Monterey next weekend.
 
Last August, Friends of Laguna Seca, a local non-profit driven by passionate motorsports enthusiasts, assumed management of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. With a 55-year operational agreement, Friends of Laguna Seca is dedicated to providing the leadership and resources required to restore, revitalize and reinvent Laguna Seca. They didn’t waste any time getting started.

Race fans will immediately notice improvements designed to elevate the trackside guest experience, including:

• A $1 million renovation of the facility’s iconic timing and scoring tower, known as the Trilon
• Refreshed Highway 68 entrance with a newly upgraded billboard and vibrant landscaping
• Renovated pit-side garages and hospitality suites
• A rebranding of the raceway's iconic "Tire Bridge" with Tire Rack sponsorship
• A new Turn 3 hospitality structure
• Paving of the South Boundary Admissions checkpoint
• An improved shuttle system with new trams and golf cart routes 

Photo credit: Tony Campbell.

Improvements to the track racing surface include asphalt run offs to improve drainage at Turns 2, 8 and Pit-in while still maintaining the character of the historic course. The on-track recovery and response teams have been revamped to complement the AMR INDYCAR Safety Team.
 
“Friends of Laguna Seca is squarely focused on restoring, revitalizing and reinventing this treasured raceway as we implement the much-needed investment and improvements that Laguna Seca deserves,” said Mel Harder, president and general manager of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. “We are delighted to host our friends and fans of the NTT INDYCAR Series, and know they will be excited about what we’ve accomplished and what is still to come.”

Photo credit: Tim Hill.

The Java House Grand Prix of Monterey runs July 25-27 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca as the NTT INDYCAR SERIES returns to the track for the sixth consecutive year. In addition to America’s premier open-wheel series, the weekend will also feature competition for INDY NXT by Firestone, Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West and Radical Cup North America. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit weathertechraceway.com. 

Feature photo credit: Tim Hill.