{{Short description|IndyCar race at Laguna Seca}} {{About||the sports car race|Motul Course de Monterey|the Champ Car race held in Monterrey, Mexico|Tecate/Telmex Grand Prix of Monterrey}} {{Infobox motor race |Race title = Java House Grand Prix of Monterey |Track map = Laguna Seca.svg |Series long = [[IndyCar Series]] |Series short = ICS |Venue = [[WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca]] |Sponsor = Java House[https://javahouse.com] |Logo= |First race = 1983 |First series race = 2019 |Last race = |Distance = {{convert|212.61|mi|km|3|abbr=on}} |Laps = 95 |Duration = |Previous names = '''Cribari Wines 300k''' (1983)<br />'''Quinn's Cooler 300k''' (1984)<br />'''Stroh's 300k''' (1985)<br />'''Champion Spark Plug 300''' (1986–1990)<br />'''Toyota Monterey Grand Prix''' (1991)<br />'''Kodalux Processing 300''' (1992)<br />'''Makita 300''' (1993)<br />'''Bank of America 300''' (1994–1996)<br />'''Texaco-Havoline 300''' (1997–1998)<br />'''Shell 300''' (1999–2000)<br />'''Honda Grand Prix of Monterey''' (2001)<br />'''Bridgestone Grand Prix of Monterey''' (2002, 2004)<br />'''Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey''' (2019–2024) |Most wins driver = [[Bobby Rahal]] (4) |Most wins team = [[Penske Racing]] & [[Chip Ganassi Racing]] (6) |Most wins manufacturer = '''Engine:''' [[Lola Cars|Lola]] (7)<br>'''Engine:''' Ford-Cosworth (6) }} The '''Grand Prix of Monterey''' is an [[IndyCar Series]] race held at [[WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca]] near [[Monterey, California]], United States. [[Álex Palou]] is the defending race winner.
==History== The event dates back to 1960, and has traditionally been held in the fall (September or October). The event was first held as a [[USAC Road Racing Championship]] race, following the success of the [[SCCA]]'s [[Continental Tire Monterey Grand Prix|Pebble Beach Road Races]]. After USAC's road racing series disbanded in 1962, the race became a non-championship sports car race for three years. The race then joined the [[Can-Am]] schedule for 1966–1973. After the demise of Can-Am in 1974, the event shifted to [[Formula 5000]] for two years, then to [[IMSA GT Championship|IMSA]] for two more years. This race encompasses a separate history from another event at Laguna Seca, the [[Continental Tire Monterey Grand Prix|sports car race]] traditionally held in the spring.
The revived Can-Am series returned from 1978 to 1982, after which time the event became a CART Indy car race. From 1983 to 2004, the CART race was held every year in September or October with the exception of 2002 and 2003 when it was briefly moved to June. The final CART/Champ Car race was held in 2004. Its spot on the calendar was shifted to [[San Jose Grand Prix|San Jose]].
In 1989 and 1991, the [[Marlboro Challenge]] all-star exhibition race was part of the CART race weekend. In 1991, [[Michael Andretti]] swept the weekend, winning both the Challenge on Saturday and Grand Prix on Sunday. [[File:Rick Mears, Mario Andretti and Bobby Rahal 1991 Laguna Seca Cropped.jpg|thumb|left|[[Rick Mears]], [[Mario Andretti]], and [[Bobby Rahal]] race through the famous "Corkscrew" at the 1991 race.]]
After a hiatus from 2005 to 2007, the race was set to return as part of the Champ Car World Series in [[2008 Champ Car season|2008]]. However, after the [[2008 IndyCar Series|2008 open wheel unification]], the race went back on hiatus. With the top-level Indy cars absent, and now competing instead at [[GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma|Sonoma]], the [[Atlantic Championship]] briefly headlined at the track from [[2008 Atlantic Championship|2008]]–[[2009 Atlantic Championship|2009]]. In 2015–2016, the track hosted the [[Road to Indy|Mazda Road to Indy]] championship weekend. All three lower tiers of INDYCAR – [[Indy Lights]], [[Pro Mazda Championship|Pro Mazda]], and [[U.S. F2000 National Championship|U.S. F2000]] participated in a standalone event. However, the top-level [[IndyCar Series]] still stayed away, and continued to race at Sonoma.
In 2018, a renewed effort to return Indy car racing to Laguna Seca was spearheaded by [[Monterey County, California|Monterey County]] and track officials. In their favor, the IndyCar races at [[Sonoma Raceway|Sonoma]] were said to be money-losers. Sonoma, which is also located in the [[Northern California]] region, is only about 150 miles north of Monterey by car. Sonoma held a "geographical exclusion" clause which effectively precluded IndyCar races from being held at both venues. In July 2018, it was announced that Sonoma would be removed from the IndyCar schedule after the 2018 season, and Laguna Seca would be added for 2019. The track signed an initial three-year deal and would take over the spot as the IndyCar season finale.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.montereyherald.com/sports/20180716/laguna-seca-indycar-seek-success-after-sonoma-spun-tires|title=Laguna Seca, IndyCar seek success after Sonoma spun tires|publisher=Monterey Herald|first=Jim|last=Johnson|date=July 16, 2018|access-date=September 12, 2018}}</ref> [[File:IndyCar Monterey Grand Prix Logo.png|thumb|right|The logo when [[Firestone Tire and Rubber Company|Firestone]] was the title sponsor]] In 2020, due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] the race was to become a doubleheader, however the pandemic got worse and on July 27, IndyCar officials announced the cancellation of the race for 2020.<ref>[https://www.indycar.com/2020/scheduleupdates Latest schedule updates from IndyCar]</ref>
==Race results== ===Sports car & Formula 5000 races=== {|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;" |- ! Year ! Date ! Driver ! Team ! Car ! Distance ! Sponsored Name |- !colspan="7"| [[USAC Road Racing Championship]] |- ! [[1960 USAC Road Racing Championship|1960]] | October 23 | {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Stirling Moss]] | [[British Racing Partnership|British Racing Partnership, Ltd.]] | [[Lotus 19]]-[[Coventry Climax|Climax]] | {{convert|201.4|mi|km|abbr=on}} | The [[San Francisco Examiner]] presents the Pacific Grand Prix |- ! [[1961 USAC Road Racing Championship|1961]] | October 22 | {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Stirling Moss]] | [[British Racing Partnership|UDT-Laystall Racing Team]] | [[Lotus 19]]-[[Coventry Climax|Climax]] | {{convert|201.4|mi|km|abbr=on}} | [[San Francisco Examiner]] Pacific Grand Prix |- ! [[1962 USAC Road Racing Championship|1962]] | October 21 | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Roger Penske]] | Updraught Enterprises, Inc. | [[Cooper T53]]-[[Coventry Climax|Climax]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.oldracingcars.com/cooper/t53/|title = Cooper T53 car-by-car histories| date=March 2024 }}</ref> | {{convert|200.8|mi|km|abbr=on}} | Pacific Grand Prix 200 |- !colspan="7"| Non-Championship |- ! 1963 | October 20 | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Dave MacDonald]] | [[Shelby American]] | [[Shelby Cooper-Ford]] | {{convert|200|mi|km|abbr=on}} | Monterey Pacific Grand Prix |- ! 1964 | October 18 | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Roger Penske]] | [[Chaparral Cars]] | [[Chaparral 2A]]-[[Chevrolet]] | {{convert|200|mi|km|abbr=on}} | Monterey Grand Prix Laguna Seca 200 miles |- ! 1965 | October 17 | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Walt Hansgen]] | [[John W. Mecom Jr.|John Mecom]] | [[Lola T70]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] | {{convert|200|mi|km|abbr=on}} | Monterey Grand Prix Laguna Seca 200 miles |- !colspan="7"| [[Can-Am]] |- ! [[1966 Can-Am season|1966]] | October 16 | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Phil Hill]] | [[Chaparral Cars]] | [[Chaparral 2E]]-[[Chevrolet]] | {{convert|200|mi|km|abbr=on}} | Monterey Grand Prix |- ! [[1967 Can-Am season|1967]] | October 15 | {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Bruce McLaren]] | [[Bruce McLaren Motor Racing]] | [[McLaren M6A]]-[[Chevrolet]] | {{convert|200|mi|km|abbr=on}} | Monterey Grand Prix |- ! [[1968 Can-Am season|1968]] | October 13 | {{flagicon|CAN}} [[John Cannon (racing driver)|John Cannon]] | [[John Cannon (racing driver)|John Cannon]] | [[McLaren M1B]]-[[Chevrolet]] | {{convert|150|mi|km|abbr=on}} | Monterey Grand Prix |- ! [[1969 Can-Am season|1969]] | October 12 | {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Bruce McLaren]] | [[Bruce McLaren Motor Racing]] | [[McLaren M8B]]-[[Chevrolet]] | {{convert|150|mi|km|abbr=on}} | Monterey [[Castrol]] Grand Prix |- ! [[1970 Can-Am season|1970]] | October 18 | {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Denny Hulme]] | [[Bruce McLaren Motor Racing]] | [[McLaren M8D]]-[[Chevrolet]] | {{convert|150|mi|km|abbr=on}} | Monterey [[Castrol]] Grand Prix |- ! [[1971 Can-Am season|1971]] | October 17 | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Peter Revson]] | [[McLaren|McLaren Cars Ltd.]] | [[McLaren M8F]]-[[Chevrolet]] | {{convert|170|mi|km|abbr=on}} | Monterey [[Castrol]] Grand Prix |- ! [[1972 Can-Am season|1972]] | October 15 | {{flagicon|USA}} [[George Follmer]] | [[Penske Racing|Roger Penske]] | [[Porsche 917/10]] | {{convert|170|mi|km|abbr=on}} | Monterey [[Castrol|Castrol GTX]] Grand Prix |- ! [[1973 Can-Am season|1973]] | October 14 | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Mark Donohue]] | [[Penske Racing|Roger Penske Enterprises]] | [[Porsche 917/30]] | {{convert|125|mi|km|abbr=on}} | Monterey [[Castrol]] Grand Prix |- !colspan="7"| [[Formula 5000]] |- ! [[1974 SCCA/USAC Formula 5000 Championship|1974]] | October 13 | {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Brian Redman]] | | [[Lola T332]]-[[Chevrolet]] | {{convert|95|mi|km|abbr=on}} | Monterey Grand Prix |- ! [[1975 SCCA/USAC Formula 5000 Championship|1975]] | October 12 | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Mario Andretti]] | [[Vel’s Parnelli Jones Racing]] | [[Lola T332]]-[[Chevrolet]] | {{convert|95|mi|km|abbr=on}} | Monterey Grand Prix |- !colspan="7"| [[IMSA GT Championship]] |- ! [[1976 IMSA GT Championship season|1976]] | October 3 | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jim Busby (racing driver)|Jim Busby]] | [[Jim Busby (racing driver)|Busby Racing]] | [[Porsche 911 classic|Porsche Carrera]] | {{convert|100|mi|km|abbr=on}} | [[Shasta (soft drink)|Shasta]] Monterey Grand Prix |- ! [[1977 IMSA GT Championship season|1977]] | October 9 | {{flagicon|GBR}} [[David Hobbs (racing driver)|David Hobbs]] | [[McLaren|McLaren North America]] | [[BMW 3 Series (E21)|BMW 320i Turbo]] | {{convert|100|mi|km|abbr=on}} | [[Shasta (soft drink)|Shasta]] Monterey Grand Prix |- !colspan="7"| [[Can-Am]] |- ! [[1978 Can-Am season|1978]] | October 8 | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Al Holbert]] | [[Hogan Racing]] | [[Lola T333CS]]-[[Chevrolet]] | {{convert|91|mi|km|abbr=on}} | [[Shasta (soft drink)|Shasta]] Monterey Grand Prix |- ! [[1979 Can-Am season|1979]] | October 14 | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Bobby Rahal]] | [[U.S. Racing]] | [[Prophet (car)|Prophet]]-[[Chevrolet]] | {{convert|91|mi|km|abbr=on}} | [[Shasta (soft drink)|Shasta]] Monterey Grand Prix |- ! [[1980 Can-Am season|1980]] | October 19 | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Al Unser|Al Unser Sr.]] | [[Brad Frisselle|Brad Frisselle Racing]] | [[Frissbee]]-[[Chevrolet]] | {{convert|95|mi|km|abbr=on}} | [[Shasta (soft drink)|Shasta]] Monterey Grand Prix |- ! [[1981 Can-Am season|1981]] | October 12 | {{flagicon|ITA|1946}} [[Teo Fabi]] | [[Paul Newman|Paul Newman Racing]] | [[March 817]]-[[Chevrolet]] | {{convert|95|mi|km|abbr=on}} | [[Datsun]]/[[Budweiser (Anheuser-Busch)|Budweiser]] Can Am Challenge |- ! [[1982 Can-Am season|1982]] | October 10 | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Al Unser Jr.]] | [[Galles Racing]] | [[Frissbee-Galles GR3]]-[[Chevrolet]] | {{convert|114|mi|km|abbr=on}} | [[Datsun]] and [[Sprite (soft drink)|Sprite]] present the Monterey Grand Prix |}
===IndyCar Series races=== {|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;" |- ! Year ! Date ! Driver ! Team ! Car ! Laps ! Distance ! Report |- ! colspan="8" | [[Champ Car|CART/Champ Car World Series]] |- ! [[1983 IndyCar season|1983]] | October 23 | {{flagicon|ITA|1946}} [[Teo Fabi]] | [[Forsythe Racing]] | [[March Engineering|March]]-[[Cosworth]] | 98 | {{convert|186.200|mi|km|abbr=on}} | ''[[1983 Grand Prix of Monterey|report]]'' |- ! [[1984 IndyCar season|1984]] | October 21 | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Bobby Rahal]] | [[Truesports]] | [[March Engineering|March]]-[[Cosworth]] | 98 | {{convert|186.200|mi|km|abbr=on}} | ''[[1984 Grand Prix of Monterey|report]]'' |- ! [[1985 IndyCar season|1985]] | October 6 | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Bobby Rahal]] (2) | [[Truesports]] (2) | [[March Engineering|March]]-[[Cosworth]] | 98 | {{convert|186.200|mi|km|abbr=on}} | ''[[1985 Grand Prix of Monterey|report]]'' |- ! [[1986 IndyCar season|1986]] | October 12 | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Bobby Rahal]] (3) | [[Truesports]] (3) | [[March Engineering|March]]-[[Cosworth]] | 98 | {{convert|186.200|mi|km|abbr=on}} | ''[[1986 Grand Prix of Monterey|report]]'' |- ! [[1987 IndyCar season|1987]] | October 11 | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Bobby Rahal]] (4) | [[Truesports]] (4) | [[Lola Cars#USAC / CART / Champ Car|Lola]]-[[Cosworth]] | 98 | {{convert|186.200|mi|km|abbr=on}} | ''[[1987 Grand Prix of Monterey|report]]'' |- ! [[1988 IndyCar season|1988]] | October 16 | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Danny Sullivan]] | [[Penske Racing|Team Penske]] | [[Penske PC-17]]-[[Ilmor|Chevrolet A]] | 84 | {{convert|185.976|mi|km|abbr=on}} | ''[[1988 Grand Prix of Monterey|report]]'' |- ! [[1989 IndyCar season|1989]] | October 15 | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Rick Mears]] | [[Penske Racing|Team Penske]] (2) | [[Penske PC-18]]-[[Ilmor|Chevrolet A]] | 84 | {{convert|185.976|mi|km|abbr=on}} | ''[[1989 Grand Prix of Monterey|report]]'' |- ! [[1990 IndyCar season|1990]] | October 21 | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Danny Sullivan]] (2) | [[Penske Racing|Marlboro Team Penske]] (3) | [[Penske PC-19]]-[[Ilmor|Chevrolet A]] | 84 | {{convert|185.976|mi|km|abbr=on}} | ''[[1990 Grand Prix of Monterey|report]]'' |- ! [[1991 IndyCar season|1991]] | October 20 | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Michael Andretti]] | [[Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing|Newman/Haas Racing]] | [[Lola Cars#USAC / CART / Champ Car|Lola T9100]]-[[Ilmor|Chevrolet A]] | 84 | {{convert|185.976|mi|km|abbr=on}} | ''[[1991 Grand Prix of Monterey|report]]'' |- ! [[1992 IndyCar season|1992]] | October 18 | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Michael Andretti]] (2) | [[Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing|Newman/Haas Racing]] (2) | [[Lola Cars#USAC / CART / Champ Car|Lola T9200]]-[[Cosworth#Other IndyCar and Champ Car engines|Ford Cosworth XB]] | 84 | {{convert|185.976|mi|km|abbr=on}} | ''[[1992 Grand Prix of Monterey|report]]'' |- ! [[1993 IndyCar season|1993]] | October 3 | {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Paul Tracy]] | [[Penske Racing|Marlboro Team Penske]] (4) | [[Penske PC-22]]-[[Ilmor|Chevrolet C]] | 84 | {{convert|185.976|mi|km|abbr=on}} | ''[[1993 Grand Prix of Monterey|report]]'' |- ! [[1994 IndyCar season|1994]] | October 9 | {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Paul Tracy]] (2) | [[Penske Racing|Marlboro Team Penske]] (5) | [[Penske PC-23]]-[[Ilmor]] D | 84 | {{convert|185.976|mi|km|abbr=on}} | ''[[1994 Grand Prix of Monterey|report]]'' |- ! [[1995 IndyCar season|1995]] | September 10 | {{flagicon|BRA}} [[Gil de Ferran]] | [[Jim Hall (race car driver)|Jim Hall Racing]] | [[Reynard 95I]]-[[Ilmor#Racing in the United States|Mercedes-Benz]] | 84 | {{convert|185.976|mi|km|abbr=on}} | ''[[1995 Grand Prix of Monterey|report]]'' |- ! [[1996 IndyCar season|1996]] | September 8 | {{flagicon|ITA|1946}} [[Alex Zanardi]] | [[Chip Ganassi Racing]] | [[Reynard 96I]]-[[Honda]] | 83 | {{convert|185.754|mi|km|abbr=on}} | ''[[1996 Toyota Grand Prix of Monterey|report]]'' |- ! [[1997 CART season|1997]] | September 7 | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jimmy Vasser]] | [[Chip Ganassi Racing]] (2) | [[Reynard 97I]]-[[Honda]] | 83 | {{convert|185.754|mi|km|abbr=on}} | ''[[1997 Grand Prix of Monterey|report]]'' |- ! [[1998 CART season|1998]] | September 13 | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Bryan Herta]] | [[Rahal Letterman Racing|Team Rahal]] | [[Reynard 98I]]-[[Cosworth#Other IndyCar and Champ Car engines|Ford Cosworth XD]] | 83 | {{convert|185.754|mi|km|abbr=on}} | ''[[1998 Honda Grand Prix of Monterey|report]]'' |- ! [[1999 CART season|1999]] | September 12 | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Bryan Herta]] (2) | [[Rahal Letterman Racing|Team Rahal]] (2) | [[Reynard 99I]]-[[Cosworth#Other IndyCar and Champ Car engines|Ford Cosworth XD]] | 83 | {{convert|185.754|mi|km|abbr=on}} | ''[[1999 Honda Grand Prix of Monterey|report]]'' |- ! [[2000 CART season|2000]] | September 10 | {{flagicon|BRA}} [[Hélio Castroneves]] | [[Penske Racing|Marlboro Team Penske]] (6) | [[Reynard 2KI]]-[[Honda]] | 83 | {{convert|185.754|mi|km|abbr=on}} | ''[[2000 Grand Prix of Monterey|report]]'' |- ! [[2001 CART season|2001]] | October 14 | {{flagicon|ITA|1946}} [[Max Papis]] | [[Rahal Letterman Racing|Team Rahal]] (3) | [[Lola B01/00]]-[[Cosworth#Other IndyCar and Champ Car engines|Ford Cosworth XF]] | 76 | {{convert|170.088|mi|km|abbr=on}} | ''[[2001 Honda Grand Prix of Monterey|report]]'' |- ! [[2002 CART season|2002]] | June 9 | {{flagicon|BRA}} [[Cristiano da Matta]] | [[Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing|Newman-Haas Racing]] (3) | [[Lola B02/00]]-[[Toyota]] | 87 | {{convert|194.706|mi|km|abbr=on}} | ''[[2002 Bridgestone Grand Prix of Monterey|report]]'' |- ! [[2003 CART season|2003]] | June 15 | {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Patrick Carpentier]] | [[Forsythe Racing]] (2) | [[Lola B02/00]]-[[Cosworth#Other IndyCar and Champ Car engines|Ford Cosworth XFE]] | 87 | {{convert|194.706|mi|km|abbr=on}} | ''[[2003 Grand Prix of Monterey|report]]'' |- ! [[2004 Champ Car season|2004]] | September 12 | {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Patrick Carpentier]] (2) | [[Forsythe Racing]] (3) | [[Lola B02/00]]-[[Cosworth#Other IndyCar and Champ Car engines|Ford Cosworth XFE]] | 79 | {{convert|176.802|mi|km|abbr=on}} | ''[[2004 Bridgestone Grand Prix of Monterey|report]]'' |- ! colspan="8" | [[IndyCar Series]] |- ! [[2019 IndyCar Series|2019]] | September 22 | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Colton Herta]] | [[Harding Steinbrenner Racing]] | [[Dallara DW12#IR–18 Universal Aero Kit (UAK-18) (2018–2026)|Dallara DW12/UAK18]]-[[Honda]] | 90 | {{convert|201.42|mi|km|3|abbr=on}} | ''[[2019 Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey|report]]'' |- ! [[2020 IndyCar Series|2020]] | colspan="7" align="center" |''Cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].'' |- ! [[2021 IndyCar Series|2021]] | September 19 | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Colton Herta]] (2) | [[Andretti Autosport]] with [[Curb Agajanian Performance Group|Curb Agajanian]] | [[Dallara DW12#IR–18 Universal Aero Kit (UAK-18) (2018–2026)|Dallara DW12/UAK18]]-[[Honda]] | 95 | {{convert|212.61|mi|km|abbr=on}} | ''[[2021 Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey|report]]'' |- ! [[2022 IndyCar Series|2022]] | September 11 | {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Álex Palou]] | [[Chip Ganassi Racing]] (3) | [[Dallara DW12#IR–18 Universal Aero Kit (UAK-18) (2018–2026)|Dallara DW12/UAK18]]-[[Honda]] | 95 | {{convert|212.61|mi|km|abbr=on}} | ''[[2022 Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey|report]]'' |- ! [[2023 IndyCar Series|2023]] | September 10 | {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Scott Dixon]] | [[Chip Ganassi Racing]] (4) | [[Dallara DW12#IR–18 Universal Aero Kit (UAK-18) (2018–2026)|Dallara DW12/UAK18]]-[[Honda]] | 95 | {{convert|212.61|mi|km|abbr=on}} | ''[[2023 Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey|report]]'' |- ! [[2024 IndyCar Series|2024]] | June 23 | {{Flagicon|SPA}} [[Álex Palou]] (2) | [[Chip Ganassi Racing]] (5) | [[Dallara DW12#IR–18 Universal Aero Kit (UAK-18) (2018–2026)|Dallara DW12/UAK18]]-[[Honda]] | 95 | {{convert|212.61|mi|km|abbr=on}} | ''[[2024 Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey|report]]'' |- ! [[2025 IndyCar Series|2025]] | July 27 | {{Flagicon|SPA}} [[Álex Palou]] (3) | [[Chip Ganassi Racing]] (6) | [[Dallara DW12#IR–18 Universal Aero Kit (UAK-18) (2018–2026)|Dallara DW12/UAK18]]-[[Honda]] | 95 | {{convert|212.61|mi|km|abbr=on}} | ''[[2025 Java House Grand Prix of Monterey|report]]'' |}
*From 1983 to 1987, the course was {{convert|1.900|mi|km|abbr=off}}. *From 1988 to 1995, the course was {{convert|2.214|mi|km|abbr=off}}. *From 1996 onward, the course is {{convert|2.238|mi|km|abbr=off}}. *The 2001 race was scheduled for 83 laps but was shortened to 76 laps due to a 2-hour time limit. *The 2004 race was scheduled for 80 laps but was shortened to 79 laps due to a 1-hour, 45 minute time limit.
===Support races=== {{col-begin}} {{col-break}} {| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" |- !colspan=2|[[Indy NXT|CART American Racing Series]] |- ! Season ! Winning driver |- | style="text-align:center;" | [[1986 American Racing Series season|1986]] | {{flagicon|ITA|1946}} [[Fabrizio Barbazza]] |- | style="text-align:center;" | [[1987 American Racing Series season|1987]] | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Dave Simpson (racing driver)|Dave Simpson]] |- | style="text-align:center;" | [[1988 American Racing Series season|1988]] | {{flagicon|IRL}} [[Tommy Byrne (racing driver)|Tommy Byrne]] |- |align=center| [[1989 American Racing Series season|1989]] | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Johnny O'Connell]] |- | style="text-align:center;" | [[1990 American Racing Series season|1990]] | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Ted Prappas]] |- !colspan=2|[[Indy NXT|CART Firestone/PPG/Dayton Indy Lights Series]] |- | style="text-align:center;" | [[1991 Indy Lights season|1991]] | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Mark Smith (American racing driver)|Mark Smith]] |- | style="text-align:center;" | [[1992 Indy Lights season|1992]] | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Robbie Groff]] |- | style="text-align:center;" | [[1993 Indy Lights season|1993]] | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Bryan Herta]] |- | style="text-align:center;" | [[1994 Indy Lights season|1994]] | {{flagicon|BRA}} [[André Ribeiro (racing driver)|André Ribeiro]] |- | style="text-align:center;" | [[1995 Indy Lights season|1995]] | {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Greg Moore (racing driver)|Greg Moore]] |- | style="text-align:center;" | [[1996 Indy Lights season|1996]] | {{flagicon|BRA}} [[Tony Kanaan]] |- | style="text-align:center;" | [[1997 Indy Lights season|1997]] | {{flagicon|BRA}} [[Cristiano da Matta]] |- | style="text-align:center;" | [[1998 Indy Lights season|1998]] | {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Didier André]] |- | style="text-align:center;" | [[1999 Indy Lights season|1999]] | {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Didier André]] |- | style="text-align:center;" | [[2000 Indy Lights season|2000]] | {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Scott Dixon]] |- | style="text-align:center;" | [[2001 Indy Lights season|2001]] | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Townsend Bell]] |- !colspan=2|[[Indy NXT|IndyCar Indy Lights]] |- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan=2| [[2015 Indy Lights season|2015]] | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Spencer Pigot]] |- | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Spencer Pigot]] |- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan=2| [[2016 Indy Lights|2016]] | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Kyle Kaiser]] |- | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Zach Veach]] |- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan=2| [[2019 Indy Lights|2019]] | {{flagicon|NLD}} [[Rinus VeeKay]] |- | {{flagicon|NLD}} [[Rinus VeeKay]] |- | style="text-align:center;"|[[2020 Indy Lights|2020]] | style="text-align:center;"|''Cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].'' |- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan=2| [[2021 Indy Lights|2021]] | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Kyle Kirkwood]] |- | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Kyle Kirkwood]] |- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan=2| [[2022 Indy Lights|2022]] | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Sting Ray Robb]] |- | {{flagicon|DNK}} [[Christian Rasmussen (racing driver)|Christian Rasmussen]] |- |style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|[[2023 Indy NXT|2023]] | {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Hunter McElrea]] |- | {{flagicon|DNK}} [[Christian Rasmussen (racing driver)|Christian Rasmussen]] |- |style="text-align:center;" rowspan=2|[[2024 Indy NXT|2024]] | {{flagicon|UK}} [[Louis Foster]] |- | {{flagicon|UK}} [[Louis Foster]] |- |style="text-align:center;" rowspan=2|[[2025 Indy NXT|2025]] | {{flagicon|BRA}} [[Caio Collet]] |- | {{flagicon|BRA}} [[Caio Collet]] |- |} {{col-break}} {| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" |- !colspan=2|[[USF Pro 2000 Championship|Star Mazda Championship]] |- ! Season ! Winning driver |- | style="text-align:center;" | [[2000 Star Mazda Championship|2000]] | Grant Ryley |- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| [[2001 Star Mazda Championship|2001]] | Scott Bradley |- | Marc De Vellis |- | style="text-align:center;" | [[2002 Star Mazda Championship|2002]] | Moses Smith |- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| [[2003 Star Mazda Championship|2003]] | Luis Schiavo |- | Moses Smith |- | style="text-align:center;" | [[2004 Star Mazda Championship|2004]] | Luis Schiavo |- | style="text-align:center;" | [[2005 Star Mazda Championship|2005]] | James Hinchcliffe |- | style="text-align:center;" | [[2006 Star Mazda Championship|2006]] | Ryan Justice |- | style="text-align:center;" | [[2007 Star Mazda Championship|2007]] | Alex Ardoin |- | style="text-align:center;" | [[2008 Star Mazda Championship|2008]] | Richard Kent |- | style="text-align:center;" | [[2009 Star Mazda Championship|2009]] | Adam Christodoulou |- | style="text-align:center;" | [[2010 Star Mazda Championship|2010]] | Conor Daly |- | style="text-align:center;" | [[2011 Star Mazda Championship|2011]] | Connor De Phillippi |- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| [[2012 Star Mazda Championship|2012]] | Jack Hawksworth |- | Gabby Chaves |- !colspan="2"|[[USF Pro 2000 Championship|Pro Mazda Championship]] |- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| [[2015 Pro Mazda Championship|2015]] | Garett Grist |- | Garett Grist |- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="3"| [[2016 Pro Mazda Championship|2016]] | Patricio O'Ward |- | Nicolas Dapero |- | Aaron Telitz |- !colspan="2"|[[USF Pro 2000 Championship|Indy Pro 2000 Championship]] |- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| [[2019 Indy Pro 2000 Championship|2019]] | Kyle Kirkwood |- | Rasmus Lindh |- | style="text-align:center"| [[2020 Indy Pro 2000 Championship|2020]] | style="text-align:center"|''Cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].'' |} {{col-break}} {| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" |- !colspan=2|[[USF2000 Championship|Formula Ford 2000 Championship]] |- ! Season ! Winning driver |- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="3"| [[1991 USAC FF2000 Championship|1991]] | Curtis Farley |- | Craig Taylor |- | Craig Taylor |- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| [[1993 USAC FF2000 Championship|1993]] | David DeSilva |- | Doug Boyer |- | style="text-align:center; "rowspan="2"| [[2004 Formula Ford Zetec Championship Series|2004]] | Ian Lacy |- | Ian Lacy |- |- !colspan=2|[[USF2000 Championship|U.S. F2000 National Championship]] |- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| [[2010 U.S. F2000 National Championship|2010]] | Scott Rarick |- | Mikhail Goikhberg |- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| [[2013 U.S. F2000 National Championship|2013]] | Alex Baron |- | Scott Hargrove |- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| [[2015 U.S. F2000 National Championship|2015]] | Nico Jamin |- | Nico Jamin |- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| [[2016 U.S. F2000 National Championship|2016]] | Victor Franzoni |- | Victor Franzoni |- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| [[2019 U.S. F2000 National Championship|2019]] | Christian Rasmussen |- | Braden Eves |- | style="text-align:center"| [[2020 U.S. F2000 National Championship|2020]] | style="text-align:center;"|''Cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].'' |} {{col-break}} {| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" |- !colspan=2|[[Atlantic Championship]] |- ! Season ! Winning driver |- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| [[1976 Formula Atlantic season IMSA|1976]] | {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Gilles Villeneuve]] |- | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Price Cobb]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[1984 Formula Atlantic season|1984]] | {{flagicon|USA}} [[John David Briggs]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[1985 Formula Atlantic season - West Coast|1985]] | {{flagicon|USA}} [[John David Briggs]] |- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| [[1986 Formula Atlantic season - West Coast|1986]] | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Ted Prappas]] |- | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Tom Phillips (driver)|Tom Phillips]] |- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| [[1987 Formula Atlantic season - West Coast|1987]] | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Johnny O'Connell]] |- | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jimmy Vasser]] |- |align=center| [[1988 Formula Atlantic season - West Coast|1988]] | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Mitch Thieman]] |- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="3"| [[1990 Formula Atlantic season - West Coast|1990]] | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Mark Dismore]] |- | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Mark Dismore]] |- | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Mark Dismore]] |- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| [[1991 Atlantic Championship|1991]] | {{flagicon|USA}} [[John Tanner (racing driver)|John Tanner]] |- | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jimmy Vasser]] |- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| [[1992 Atlantic Championship|1992]] | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Mark Dismore]] |- | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Mark Dismore]] |- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| [[1993 Atlantic Championship|1993]] | {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Jacques Villeneuve]] |- | {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Jacques Villeneuve]] |- |align=center| [[1994 Atlantic Championship|1994]] | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Richie Hearn]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[1995 Atlantic Championship|1995]] | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Case Montgomery]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[1996 Atlantic Championship|1996]] | {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Patrick Carpentier]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[1997 Atlantic Championship|1997]] | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Alex Barron (driver)|Alex Barron]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[1998 Atlantic Championship|1998]] | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Anthony Lazzaro (race car driver)|Anthony Lazzaro]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[1999 Atlantic Championship|1999]] | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Anthony Lazzaro (race car driver)|Anthony Lazzaro]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[2000 Atlantic Championship|2000]] | {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Dan Wheldon]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[2001 Atlantic Championship|2001]] | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Rocky Moran Jr.]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[2002 Atlantic Championship|2002]] | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Ryan Hunter-Reay]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[2003 Atlantic Championship|2003]] | {{flagicon|USA}} [[A. J. Allmendinger]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[2004 Atlantic Championship|2004]] | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jon Fogarty]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[2008 Atlantic Championship|2008]] | {{flagicon|CAN}} [[James Hinchcliffe]] |- | style="text-align:center;"| [[2009 Atlantic Championship|2009]] | {{flagicon|USA}} [[John Edwards (racing driver)|John Edwards]] |}
{{col-break}} {| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" |- !colspan=3|CART [[Marlboro Challenge]] |- ! Season ! Date ! Winning driver |- | [[1989 IndyCar season|1989]] | October 14 | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Al Unser Jr.]] |- | [[1991 IndyCar season|1991]] | October 19 | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Michael Andretti]] |} {{col-end}}
==Race summaries== ===CART PPG Indy Car World Series=== [[File:LagunaSecaOriginal.svg|thumb|right|Track layout used through 1987.]] *'''1983''': In front of a crowd of 50,000 spectators, the CART series visited Laguna Seca for the first time in [[1983 CART PPG Indy Car World Series|1983]]. It was the second-to-last race of the season. The focus of attention going into the race was the championship battle between [[Al Unser]] and rookie [[Teo Fabi]]. Unser (137) led Fabi (102) by 35 points, and could wrap up the title with a 5th-place finish or better. Fabi qualified for the pole position, and proceeded to dominate the weekend. Fabi led 95 of the 98 laps, only giving up the lead for a few hundred feet after a restart on lap 29, and during a sequence of pit stops on lap 63–65. Fabi beat second place [[Mario Andretti]] by 22-seconds at the finish line. Meanwhile, points leader Al Unser broke a halfshaft with 11 laps to go and dropped to 11th place at the finish. Fabi narrowed the points lead, sending the championship battle to the finale at Phoenix. Fabi also clinched the 1983 CART rookie of the year award.<ref name="Star10-24-1983pg25">{{cite news|title=Record crowd watches Fabi win; Mario second (Part 1)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/22643970/cart_laguna_seca_1983/|first=Dave|last=Overpeck|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=25|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 24, 1983|access-date=August 9, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref><ref name="Star10-24-1983pg27">{{cite news|title=Record crowd watches Fabi win; Mario second (Part 2)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/22644009/cart_laguna_seca_1983/|first=Dave|last=Overpeck|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=27|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 24, 1983|access-date=August 9, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref> Two controversies flared up during qualifying on Saturday. [[Johnny Rutherford]]'s qualifying speed was thrown out after officials found a taped-over pop-off valve. The team declined a provisional, and Rutherford sat out the race. With Fabi (120.169 mph) on the pole, and [[Chip Ganassi]] (118.746 mph) second, officials later discovered that they had overlooked [[Derek Daly]]'s best lap of the day. Daly had turned a lap of 119.048 mph, and officials corrected the error, elevating him to second on the grid, and bumping Ganassi back to row two.<ref name="Star10-23-1983pg69">{{cite news|title=Rutherford gets boot after Fabi gets pole|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/22643887/cart_laguna_seca_1983/|first=Dave|last=Overpeck|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=69|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 23, 1983|access-date=August 9, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref> [[File:Bobby Rahal 2004.jpg|thumb|[[Bobby Rahal]] won the CART Monterey Grand Prix four years in a row (1984–1987).]] [[File:DannySullivanAt2015indy500.JPG|thumb|[[Danny Sullivan]] won the CART Monterey Grand Prix twice (1988 & 1990).]] *'''1984''': In its second running, Laguna Seca was again the second-to-last race of the CART schedule. Points leader [[Mario Andretti]] started on the pole position, but [[Bobby Rahal]] took the lead on lap 20. Rahal dominated the rest of the race, leading by as many as 18 seconds. He gave up the lead for only five laps during his second pit stop. Andretti settled into a comfortable second position after contender [[Danny Sullivan]] experienced brake trouble. Andretti elected to drive an easy race, and protect his points lead. With his second-place finish, Mario all but sewed up the 1984 title. Despite winning the race and leading the most laps, Rahal was mathematically eliminated from championship contention. [[Tom Sneva]], the only other driver still alive for the title, was two laps down in 10th place. Rookie [[Michael Andretti]] enjoyed his fifth top-3 finish of the year, and it was the first time he joined his father Mario on the podium at Indy car race.<ref name="Star10-22-1984pg28">{{cite news|title=Rahal wins second in row (Part 1)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/22680066/|first=Dave|last=Overpeck|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=28|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 22, 1984|access-date=August 10, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref><ref name="Star10-22-1984pg36">{{cite news|title=Rahal wins second in row (Part 2)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/22680096/|first=Dave|last=Overpeck|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=36|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 22, 1984|access-date=August 10, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref> *'''1985''': [[Bobby Rahal]] started on the pole and led the first 35 laps. After giving up the lead briefly during a sequence of pit stops, Rahal was back in the lead on lap 37. He stretched his margin out to nearly 29 seconds over second place [[Al Unser Jr.]] On lap 59, [[Tom Sneva]] crashed bringing out a caution. Most of the leaders pitted, including Rahal and Unser Jr. Rookie [[Roberto Moreno]] stayed out and took over the lead, with [[Geoff Brabham]] now in second. The race went back to green on lap 66 (of 98) with Moreno leading. Three laps later, however, Moreno slowed with transmission problems, handing the lead to Unser Jr., who was locked in a tight battle with his father [[Al Unser|Al Unser Sr.]] for the points championship. Brabham was now running second, with Rahal close behind in third. Unser Jr. and Brabham battled for the lead over the next several laps. With 12 laps to go, Brabham attempted to pass Unser Jr. for the lead in the final turn, but locked up his brakes. Unser Jr. had to take evasive action. Rahal pounced and passed both cars in one move to sweep into the lead. Moments later, Brabham blew his engine, and Unser Jr. faded with worn out tires. Rahal pulled away to a 12-second lead, and won at Laguna Seca for the second year in a row. Unser Sr. came home second, while Unser Jr. held on for third.<ref name="Star10-07-1985pg19">{{cite news|title=Rahal triumphs again; CART race a logjam|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/22680156/cart_laguna_seca_1985/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=19|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 7, 1985|access-date=August 9, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref> *'''1986''': [[Bobby Rahal]] won at Laguna Seca for the third consecutive year, a pivotal victory on his way to the [[1986 CART PPG Indy Car World Series|1986 CART]] title. [[Mario Andretti]] started from the pole position and led the first eight laps. Rahal took the lead on lap 9 with a decisive pass entering the corkscrew. Rahal pulled out to a mostly comfortable lead, giving up the lead only during pit stops. Rahal led 86 of the 98 laps, but had to race hard over the final twenty laps to ensure victory. During pit stops on lap 69, [[Danny Sullivan]] took over second place from [[Michael Andretti]]. Then Sullivan went on a charge to try and catch Rahal. Sullivan closed the gap to 1.41 seconds on the final lap, but he was no match for Rahal. It was Rahal's sixth victory of the season, and gave Rahal a 9-point advantage in the championship standings with two races remaining.<ref name="Star10-13-1986pg21">{{cite news|title=Laguna 6th win for Rahal (Part 1)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/22767866/cart_laguna_seca_1986/|first=Robin|last=Miller|author-link=Robin Miller (journalist)|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=21|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 13, 1986|access-date=August 13, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref><ref name="Star10-13-1986pg29">{{cite news|title=Laguna 6th win for Rahal (Part 2)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/22767892/cart_laguna_seca_1986/|first=Robin|last=Miller|author-link=Robin Miller (journalist)|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=29|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 13, 1986|access-date=August 13, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref> *'''1987''': [[Bobby Rahal]] won at Laguna Seca for the fourth consecutive year, and also clinched the [[1987 CART PPG Indy Car World Series|1987 CART]] championship. It was Rahal's second CART title in a row, and was mathematically clinched with still one race remaining. [[Mario Andretti]] dominated the race's early going, lapping all but the second and third place cars. Meanwhile, [[Michael Andretti]] was forced to pit multiple times with [[alternator (automotive)|alternator]] trouble. Michael was second in points going into the race, and when he finally dropped out on lap 36, it effectively handed the title to Rahal. Mario Andretti blew his engine while leading on lap 67. Rahal moved into the lead, with [[Danny Sullivan]] in second. Rahal cruised over the final 31 laps, and beat Sullivan by a margin of 23.6 seconds at the finish. Also making news at Laguna Seca was the debut of the Porsche Indy car team led by [[Al Holbert]]. [[Al Unser|Al Unser Sr.]] was behind the wheel, but the car dropped out after only 6 laps with a broken water pump.<ref name="Star10-12-1987pg21">{{cite news|title=Rahal claims Laguna race, CART crown (Part 1)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/22768340/cart_laguna_seca_1987/|first=Rick|last=Schaffer|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=21|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 12, 1987|access-date=August 13, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref><ref name="Star10-12-1987pg26">{{cite news|title=Rahal claims Laguna race, CART crown (Part 2)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/22768396/cart_laguna_seca_1987/|first=Rick|last=Schaffer|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=26|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 12, 1987|access-date=August 13, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref> *'''1988''': [[Danny Sullivan]] started from the pole position, led 70 of 84 laps, and won at Laguna Seca. He also clinched the [[1988 CART PPG Indy Car World Series|1988 CART]] championship, with one race remaining in the season. It was the first race to take place on the new 2.124-mile redesigned layout. A record crowd of 70,000 spectators watched Sullivan take the lead for the final time on lap 61 after [[Mario Andretti|Mario]] and [[Michael Andretti]] pitted on laps 60 and 61, respectively.<ref name="Star10-17-1988pg21">{{cite news|title=Sullivan sails to CART crown|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/22768523/cart_laguna_seca_1988/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=21|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 17, 1988|access-date=August 13, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref> *'''1989''': For the first time, Laguna Seca served as the CART season finale. Going into the race, [[Emerson Fittipaldi]] had already clinched the [[1989 CART PPG Indy Car World Series|1989 CART title]], but second and third place were still up for grabs. [[Rick Mears]] started from the pole and led 47 of 84 laps en route to victory. It was the first road course victory for Mears since [[Riverside International Raceway|Riverside]] in [[1982 CART PPG Indy Car World Series|1982]], and the first since he suffered serious leg injuries in 1984. It was also the last road course win of his career. In what was the final Indy car race of the 1980s, Mears also became the winningest driver of the decade with twenty victories. Mears held off a hard-charging [[Mario Andretti]], and cemented second place in the final points standings. Mears and Andretti both pitted during a caution on lap 48 and ran 1st–2nd after leader [[Al Unser Jr.]] was forced to pit under green on lap 63.<ref name="Star10-16-1989pg18">{{cite news|title=Mears holds off Mario in CART's '89 finale|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/22769188/cart_laguna_seca_1989/|first=Rick|last=Schaffer|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=18|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 16, 1989|access-date=August 13, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref> *'''1990''': [[Danny Sullivan]] started on the pole position, and led wire-to-wire, winning in his final race for [[Team Penske|Penske Racing]]. The race was slowed by only one full course caution which came out when [[Willy T. Ribbs]] and [[Dean Hall (racing driver)|Dean Hall]] banged wheels at the start. Sullivan beat second place [[Al Unser Jr.]] by 29.799 seconds. Unser had already wrapped up the [[1990 CART PPG Indy Car World Series|1990 CART]] championship, and ran second most of the day. With Sullivan well ahead, and Unser solidly in second, the focus of attention in the closing laps was the fierce battle for third between [[Rick Mears]] and [[Michael Andretti]]. With two laps to go, Mears passed Andretti in spectacular fashion along the Rahal straight. Exiting turn 6, Mears diced around the lapped car of [[Mike Groff]] and ahead of Andretti, and carried the lead to the outside going into the corkscrew. However, coming off the final turn of the final lap, Mears ran out of fuel in sight of the checkered flag. Michael Andretti caught up and slipped by Mears about 100 yards from the finish line to steal third place.<ref name="Star10-22-1990pg33">{{cite news|title=Sullivan nabs victory in final Penske ride (Part 1)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/22800498/cart_laguna_seca_1990/|first=Mike|last=Harris|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=33|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 22, 1990|access-date=August 14, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref><ref name="Star10-22-1990pg35">{{cite news|title=Sullivan nabs victory in final Penske ride (Part 2)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/22800544/cart_laguna_seca_1990/|first=Mike|last=Harris|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=35|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 22, 1990|access-date=August 14, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref>
[[File:MichaelAndretti.jpg|right|thumb|[[Michael Andretti]] won the 1991 race.]] *'''1991''': [[Michael Andretti]] started from the pole position and led 83 of the 84 laps in a dominating victory. With the win, Andretti clinched the [[1991 CART PPG Indy Car World Series|1991 CART championship]]. It was his eighth win of the season, and first ever at Laguna Seca. Going into the race, the championship battle was down to Andretti and [[Bobby Rahal]]. Andretti needed to finish 6th or better to win the championship, and when Rahal dropped out on lap 24 with overheating problems, Andretti mathematically clinched the title. With Michael out in front, the battle for second and third was the most competitive. While running second on lap 38, [[Emerson Fittipaldi]] experienced troubles when his water bottle broke loose and fell between his feet. [[Al Unser Jr.]] got by for second, and Fittipaldi tangled with [[Rick Mears]] bending his suspension. Fittipaldi recovered, battling [[Mario Andretti]] over the final 25 laps for third. Mario held off Fittipaldi to round out the podium.<ref name="Star10-21-1991pg29">{{cite news|title=Michael clinches his first Indy-car crown with style (Part 1)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/22800608/cart_laguna_seca_1991/|first=Robin|last=Miller|author-link=Robin Miller (journalist)|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=29|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 21, 1991|access-date=August 14, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref><ref name="Star10-21-1991pg31">{{cite news|title=Michael clinches his first Indy-car crown with style (Part 2)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/22800649/cart_laguna_seca_1991/|first=Robin|last=Miller|author-link=Robin Miller (journalist)|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=31|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 21, 1991|access-date=August 14, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref> *'''1992''': [[Bobby Rahal]] needed to finish 4th or better at Laguna Seca to clinch the [[1992 PPG Indy Car World Series|1992 CART championship]]. His closest competitor in the title hunt was [[Michael Andretti]], who won the pole position and led wire-to-wire in a dominating victory. It was Michael's second win in a row at Laguna Seca, and he finished 4.72 seconds ahead of his father [[Mario Andretti|Mario]]. With five laps to go, [[Paul Tracy]] was chasing down Michael Andretti for the lead, but tangled with the lapped car of [[Jimmy Vasser]], and broke his front wing. Tracy subsequently went off course, and dropped out. Bobby Rahal elevated to third position, scoring enough points to secure his third CART championship. Michael Andretti won the race, but finished second in points, in his final Indy car race before heading to [[Formula One]] in [[1993 Formula One World Championship|1993]].<ref name="Star10-19-1992pg9">{{cite news|title=Rahal wraps up third IndyCar points title (Part 1)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/22829524/cart_laguna_seca_1992/|first=Mike|last=Harris|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=9|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 19, 1992|access-date=August 15, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref><ref name="Star10-19-1992pg10">{{cite news|title=Rahal wraps up third IndyCar points title (Part 2)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/22829596/cart_laguna_seca_1992/|first=Mike|last=Harris|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=10|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 19, 1992|access-date=August 15, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref>
[[File:MarioAndretti.jpg|thumb|[[Mario Andretti]] retired from racing after the 1994 Monterey Grand Prix]] *'''1993''': [[Team Penske|Penske]] teammates [[Emerson Fittipaldi]] and [[Paul Tracy]] started on the front row, with Tracy jumping into the lead at the start. Tracy led all but three laps, en route to a dominating victory. Tracy accidentally unbuckled his seatbelts with about twenty laps to go, and struggled to keep himself comfortable in the car, all while battling through heavy traffic. Fittipaldi closed the gap, and with ten laps to go, was right on the back bumper of Tracy. Fittipaldi, however, had a hard time getting by the lapped car of [[Hiro Matsushita]]. With five laps to go, Fittipaldi lost control and spun off course in turn five, hitting the tire barrier. He recovered and was able to re-join the race, and did not lose any positions. Tracy went on to win, with Fittipaldi second, and [[Arie Luyendyk]] third. [[Nigel Mansell]], who had already clinched the [[1993 PPG Indy Car World Series|1993 CART championship]] two weeks earlier at [[Firestone Indy 225|Nazareth]], tangled with [[Mark Smith (American racing driver)|Mark Smith]], injuring his wrist, and dropped out.<ref name="Star10-13-1993pg13">{{cite news|title=Consistent Tracy wins IndyCar finale|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/22830482/cart_laguna_seca_1993/|first=David|last=Benner|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=13|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 4, 1993|access-date=August 15, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref> *'''1994''': The attention for the day focused on [[Mario Andretti]], who was driving in his final Indy car race before retirement. [[Nigel Mansell]], the [[1993 PPG Indy Car World Series|1993 CART champion]], was also competing in his final Indy car race, as he was preparing to return to [[Formula One]]. The morning was marked with festivities and honors for Mario Andretti. Unfortunately, he would finish 19th after suffering contact on the first lap, and a blown engine with four laps to go. [[Paul Tracy]] won the race for the second year in a row, starting on the pole and leading wire-to-wire. [[Al Unser Jr.]], who had already clinched the [[1994 PPG Indy Car World Series|1994 CART championship]], stayed within striking distance of Tracy until his transmission broke on lap 75. [[Raul Boesel]] finished second, tying his career best, while Mansell finished a lap down in 8th.<ref name="Star10-10-1994pg21">{{cite news|title=Tracy breezes to win in Mario's finale|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23012829/cart_laguna_seca_1994/|first=Mike|last=Harris|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=21|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 10, 1994|access-date=August 21, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref> *'''1995''': [[Gil de Ferran]] won his first career Indy car race, taking the lead from polesitter [[Jacques Villeneuve]] on lap 29. Villeneuve was forced to make an unscheduled pit stop for tires, giving up the lead, and dropped to 11th place at the finish.<ref name="Star09-11-1995pg25">{{cite news|title=Villeneuve gets crown despite 11th-place finish (Part 1)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23012891/cart_laguna_seca_1995/|first=Mike|last=Harris|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=25|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=September 11, 1995|access-date=August 21, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref><ref name="Star09-11-1995pg29">{{cite news|title=Villeneuve gets crown despite 11th-place finish (Part 2)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23012942/cart_laguna_seca_1995/|first=Mike|last=Harris|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=29|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=September 11, 1995|access-date=August 21, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref> Going into the race, the [[1995 PPG Indy Car World Series|1995 CART championship]] title was mathematically down to two drivers – [[Jacques Villeneuve]] and [[Al Unser Jr.]] However, the championship points situation was complicated due to a pending appeals decision stemming from a penalty at the race earlier in the year at [[Grand Prix of Portland|Portland]]. Unser Jr. had been stripped of victory (and docked the 21 championship points) at Portland in June. The [[Team Penske|Penske]] team filed an appeal, and the decision was not expected until after the season finale at Laguna Seca. Villeneuve unofficially led Unser in the points standings 169–132 (37 points ahead). But if Unser were to win his appeal, and be reinstated the 21 points, Villeneuve's lead would shrink to 17 points, putting Unser within striking distance.<ref name="Star09-10-1995pg35">{{cite news|title=Villeneuve captures pole at Monterey (Part 1)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23013719/|first=Mike|last=Harris|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=35|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=September 10, 1995|access-date=August 21, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref><ref name="Star09-10-1995pg36">{{cite news|title=Villeneuve captures pole at Monterey (Part 2)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23013746/|first=Mike|last=Harris|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=36|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=September 10, 1995|access-date=August 21, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref> Villeneuve had to finish 8th or better to clinch the title outright, but managed only an 11th-place finish. Unser made a charge through the standings late in the race, but managed only a 6th-place finish, not enough to take the points lead. Villeneuve won the CART championship, despite Unser being reinstated his Portland win two weeks later on September 22.<ref name="Star09-23-1995pg48">{{cite news|title=Better late than never for Al Unser Jr.|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/17215014/1995_cart_portland/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=48|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=September 23, 1995|access-date=February 7, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref> It was Villeneuve's final Indy car win, and final Indy car race before leaving for [[Williams Grand Prix Engineering|Williams]] in [[Formula One]].
[[File:Alex Zanardi at Laguna Seca.JPG|thumb|[[Alex Zanardi]] won at Laguna Seca in 1996 after the legendary move in the Corkscrew known as "The Pass".]] *'''1996''': One of the most legendary moments in the history of the Grand Prix of Monterey, and the [[Champ Car|CART series]] itself, occurred in [[1996 PPG Indy Car World Series|1996]]. [[Bryan Herta]] led most of the race during the second half, and in the closing laps, was leading [[Alex Zanardi]]. Zanardi was in close pursuit, but Herta had been successful thus far holding him off, and appeared to be en route to his first-career Indy car victory. With Zanardi's [[Chip Ganassi Racing|Ganassi]] teammate [[Jimmy Vasser]] essentially wrapping up the series title already, the attention in the closing laps focused in on the battle for the race lead. On the final lap, the cars approached the famous "Corkscrew" turns, with Herta leading. It was a spot on the track where competitive passes were seldom, due to being a tight, blind, downhill segment. Zanardi made a daring, diving pass to the inside as Herta was under braking, and slid into the lead. Zanardi, however, slid forward off the track, and his two right wheels went into the dirt. His left wheels also nearly left the apron, as he attempted to negotiate the car through the turns. As the hill dipped, and the corkscrew turns reversed, the inside lane became the outside line. His car bounced wildly over the curbing, throwing up dirt, and narrowly missed a barrier. He swung back across the track in front of Herta, with Herta narrowly missing a collision. Zanardi was able to gather control, and astonishingly made the pass stick. Zanardi held Herta off over the final two turns, and scored an improbable victory.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Glick|first1=Shav|title=Zanardi Pulls Out All Stops at the Corkscrew|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-09-09-sp-42136-story.html|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=February 6, 2017|date=September 9, 1996}}</ref><ref name="Star09-09-1996pg15">{{cite news|title=Vasser clinches Indy Car title (Part 1)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23043136/cart_laguna_seca_1996_the_pass/|first=Mike|last=Harris|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=15|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=September 9, 1996|access-date=August 22, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref><ref name="Star09-09-1996pg21">{{cite news|title=Vasser clinches Indy Car title (Part 2)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23043169/cart_laguna_seca_1996_the_pass/|first=Mike|last=Harris|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=21|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=September 9, 1996|access-date=August 22, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref> A surprised and dejected Herta was in total shock afterwards, naturally never expecting a pass of that nature in that location. Zanardi himself admitted it was an extremely high risk pass with little chance of success. In post-race evaluation, CART officials allowed the pass, but banned such moves in future races. The spectacular overtaking maneuver by Zanardi later became known in racing circles simply as '''"The Pass."'''<ref name="Star09-07-1997pg31">{{cite news|title=Herta exacts small revenge for 'The Pass'|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23042461/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=31|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=September 7, 1997|access-date=August 21, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref> *'''1997''': [[Chip Ganassi Racing]] was the story of the day at Laguna Seca. [[Jimmy Vasser]] won the race, and [[Alex Zanardi]] who finished third, clinched the [[1997 CART PPG World Series|1997 CART championship]]. Vasser led the final 58 laps, and beat second place [[Mark Blundell]] by 0.534 seconds.<ref name="Star09-08-1997pg16">{{cite news|title=Ganassi drivers win race, title|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23100483/cart_laguna_seca_1997/|first=Mike|last=Harris|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=16|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=September 8, 1997|access-date=August 24, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref> [[Bryan Herta]], who nearly won the race the year before, started on the pole position,<ref name="Star09-07-1997pg31"/> and led the first 21 laps. However, on lap 22, Zanardi went side-by-side attempting to pass for the lead on the outside of turn one. Zanardi's wheels went off into the dirt, and Herta's car also touched the curbing. That allowed [[Scott Pruett]] to slip by both of them to grab the lead going into turn 3. Moments later, Jimmy Vasser tried to pass Herta in turn 5, and Herta slid off course losing several positions. Herta would finish 6th.
===CART FedEx Championship Series=== [[File:1998 Reynard-Ford Rahal.jpg|thumb|[[Bobby Rahal]]'s "Last Ride" occurred at Laguna Seca in 1998.]] [[File:Patrick Carpentier Montreal 2011.jpg|thumb|Patrick Carpentier won back-to-back races in 2003 and 2004.]] *'''1998''': Two years after the shocking disappointment of losing to [[Alex Zanardi]] in "The Pass", [[Bryan Herta]] triumphed at Laguna Seca for his long-awaited first career Indy/Champ Car victory. The win came on the same day his car owner [[Bobby Rahal]], in the midst of his "Last Ride" tour before retirement, drove in his final race at Laguna Seca. Herta started on the pole and led 81 of the 83 laps, but Zanardi was close behind. A bevy of cautions late in the race bunched up the field, and restart with two laps to go would decide the winner. Herta got a good jump on the restart, but Zanardi was all over his back bumper. On lap 82, Zanradi took a look outside to make a pass entering the Corkscrew, but backed out. That gave Herta just enough of a margin to hold him off on the final lap. Zanardi made one last-ditch effort on the final turn, but Herta held him off. Herta took the checkered flag by a mere 0.343 seconds over Zanardi.<ref name="Star09-14-1998pg26">{{cite news|title=Herta's first victory worth the long wait|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23101574/cart_laguna_seca_1998/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=26|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=September 14, 1998|access-date=August 21, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref> *'''1999''': Tragedy struck at Laguna Seca when rookie driver [[Gonzalo Rodríguez (racing driver)|Gonzalo Rodríguez]] was fatally injured in a violent practice crash.<ref name="Star09-12-1999pg41">{{cite news|title=CART halts practice after driver is killed|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23192514/|first=Robin|last=Miller|author-link=Robin Miller (journalist)|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=41|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=September 12, 1999|access-date=August 27, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref> During a practice session on Saturday, September 11, Rodríguez lost control of his car entering the Corkscrew. The car went straight off the pavement and slid head-on into a concrete and tire retaining wall. The car's nose had pitched down, and the car flipped forward on impact, launching high over the wall and catch fence. The car landed hard and came to rest upside-down in a hillside area behind the retaining wall. Rodríguez was killed instantly of massive head and neck injuries. The crash cast a pall over the weekend, and [[Team Penske]] withdrew for the weekend. On race day, [[Bryan Herta]] started from the pole position and dominated the race leading all 83 laps. It was Herta's second win in a row at Laguna Seca, in his final season at [[Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing|Team Rahal]]. [[Roberto Moreno]] finished second, his best-career finish in the CART series, gaining three spots on his final pit stop, and two more positions on the final restart.<ref name="Star09-13-1999pg23">{{cite news|title=Herta's performance is dominating again|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23192916/cart_laguna_seca_1999/|first=Robin|last=Miller|author-link=Robin Miller (journalist)|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=23|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=September 13, 1999|access-date=August 27, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref> *'''2000''': [[Penske Racing]] finished 1st–2nd with [[Hélio Castroneves]] winning the race and [[Gil de Ferran]] taking over the points lead (which he would not relinquish on his way to the [[2000 CART season|2000 CART championship]]). Castroneves led 81 of the 83 laps, giving up the lead only once to [[Juan Pablo Montoya]] during a pit stop. Montoya fell out of contention after a pit stop on lap 48 in which his air jack collapsed. Gil de Ferran ran close behind Castroneves most of the day, and finished 0.954 seconds behind at the finish. Castroneves proceeded to climb from his car and climb the catch fence in celebration. Castroneves and the entire [[Team Penske|Penske]] team dedicated the victory to the memory of their driver [[Gonzalo Rodríguez (racing driver)|Gonzalo Rodríguez]], killed one year earlier.<ref name="Star09-11-2000pg34">{{cite news|title=Teammates are big winners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23282012/cart_laguna_seca_2000/|first=Mike|last=Harris|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=34|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=September 11, 2000|access-date=August 30, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref> *'''2001''': A crash-filled race, shorted from 83 laps to 76 laps due to a two-hour time limit, saw [[Max Papis]] win from the 25th starting position, the furthest back any driver has won at Laguna Seca. Papis made five pit stops (most contenders made two), and steadily worked his way up the standings, helped by the numerous full-course cautions and high attrition. At the start, polesitter [[Gil de Ferran]] grabbed the lead. Deep in the field, Kenny Brack banged wheels with [[Maurício Gugelmin]], then was hit from behind by [[Michael Andretti]]. Moments later, Brack again collided with Gugelmin, suffering enough damage that he was forced to eventually drop out. On the second lap [[Alex Tagliani]] and [[Patrick Carpentier]] collided. A pit fire on lap 7 in the pits of [[Chip Ganassi Racing]] burned two mechanics, but the team was able to continue. Several other incidents occurred during the day, including a spectacular crash on lap 65 between [[Oriol Servia]] and [[Maurício Gugelmin]]. Servia came upon the back of Gugelmin's car going into the Andretti Hairpin, and rode over his rear wheel. The car sailed over, then the nose dug into the ground, causing the car to flip about 20 feet into the air. Servia was not seriously injured. Pitting out of sequence from the other leaders, Papis took the lead on lap 61, and held on to win as the race was ended on lap 76. It was [[Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing|Team Rahal]]'s third win at Laguna Seca, and [[Bobby Rahal]]'s seventh win combined as driver or owner.<ref name="Star10-15-2001pg29">{{cite news|title=Fuel strategy helps Papis win CART race from rear (Part 1)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23436607/cart_laguna_seca_2001/|first=Mike|last=Harris|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=29|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 15, 2001|access-date=September 4, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref><ref name="Star10-15-2001pg32">{{cite news|title=Fuel strategy helps Papis win CART race from rear (Part 2)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23436649/|first=Mike|last=Harris|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=32|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 15, 2001|access-date=September 4, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref> *'''2002''': After many years of being held in September, for 2002 the race was moved to June. [[Newman/Haas Racing]] finished 1st–2nd, with [[Cristiano da Matta]] finishing 19.087 seconds ahead of teammate [[Christian Fittipaldi]]. Cristiano da Matta led 82 of the 87 laps, giving up the lead only during pit stops. A seven-car pileup in the Andretti Hairpin on the first lap was triggered after [[Michel Jourdain Jr.]] was sent spinning. [[Dario Franchitti]] and [[Adrián Fernández]] dropped out. Later on lap 16, [[Paul Tracy]] exited the pits after a seemingly routine pit stop. The left rear wheel was not properly fastened, however, and came off entering turn four on his out-lap. Tracy's car was sent spinning wildly into a tire barrier and out of the race.<ref name="Star06-10-2002pg24">{{cite news|title=Da Matta dominates Monterey CART race|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23466195/cart_laguna_seca_2002/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=24|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=June 10, 2002|access-date=September 5, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref> *'''2003''': [[Patrick Carpentier]] started from the pole position and led all 87 laps to victory. At the start, as the field was coming around the final corner to take the green flag, [[Paul Tracy]] (on the inside of row two) bumped into the back of polesitter Carpentier, nearly checking-up the field. Neither car was seriously damaged, but the start was waved off until the next time around. Carpentier, Tracy, and [[Bruno Junqueira]] were running 1–2–3 when they all pitted together on lap 48. Tracy clipped an errant tire exiting his pit stall, then on the out-lap, challenged Carpentier for the lead going into the Andretti Hairpin. Tracy locked up the brakes, and could not make the pass. He suffered flat-spotted tires, and was forced to nurse an ill-handling car during the stint. With Carpentier pulling out to a comfortable lead, Tracy veered off course at the exit of turn six on lap 56, allowing Junqueira to take over second position. Junqueira charged but could not catch Carpentier for the win.<ref name="Star06-16-2003pg29">{{cite news|title=Carpentier's bump day develops into CART win|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23466844/cart_laguna_seca_2003/|first=Tom|last=Gardner|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=29|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=June 16, 2003|access-date=September 5, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref>
===Champ Car World Series=== *'''2004''': The final Champ Car race at Laguna Seca was held in 2004. After two years of being held in June, the race moved back to its familiar date in the fall. For the second year in a row [[Patrick Carpentier]] dominated much of the race, leading 40 of the 79 laps. The race was shortened to 79 laps from the scheduled 80 due to a 1:45 time limit. Polesitter [[Sébastien Bourdais]] led the first lap, but was in the pits on lap 2 due to a punctured tire from contact out on the track. It would happen again for Bourdais later on. He wound up 8th, but not before he went off-course on the final lap, losing 7th in the process.<ref name="Star09-13-2004pg34">{{cite news|title=Carpentier repeats feat in dominating fashion|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23466934/cart_laguna_seca_2004/|first=Mike|last=Harris|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|page=34|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=September 13, 2004|access-date=September 5, 2018}}{{Open access}}</ref> With the series leaving Laguna Seca after 2004, it remained one of the few Champ Car tracks in which Bourdais failed to score a victory.
===IndyCar Series=== *'''2019''': After a fifteen-year absence, Laguna Seca returned to the IndyCar Series schedule in 2019 as the season finale. Rookie [[Colton Herta]] took pole position and dominated the race en route to his second career victory but the battle for the season long championship came down to the last lap. [[Josef Newgarden]] finished in eighth, scoring enough points to clinch the season championship for a second time, even with his two close championship rivals [[Simon Pagenaud]] and [[Alexander Rossi]] finishing ahead of him, in fourth and sixth places respectively. *'''2020''': On July 27, 2020, IndyCar officials were forced to cancel the 2020 edition of the race due to the state of California's ban on large gatherings because of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. *'''2021''': The new Roger Penske led IndyCar Series returned to Laguna Seca as the penultimate round of [[2021 IndyCar Series|2021]]. The race was notable for its championship implications. Defending series champion [[Scott Dixon]], his [[Chip Ganassi Racing]] teammates [[Marcus Ericsson]] and [[Alex Palou]], Penske driver Josef Newgarden, [[Arrow McLaren SP]] driver [[Pato O'Ward]] were all in the hunt for the championship heading into season finale at [[Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach|Long Beach]]. Colton Herta took his second consecutive pole position at Laguna Seca while championship points leader Palou would qualify fourth, O'Ward sixth, Ericsson seventh, Dixon eighth, and Newgarden seventeenth. In a race that featured only one brief yellow when [[Alexander Rossi]] spun out on the first lap, Herta would lead all but one lap of the race to win from pole while Palou secured a thirty five point advantage in the championship with a second-place finish. Behind them former [[Haas F1]] and IndyCar rookie [[Romain Grosjean]] took third place at his first ever race at Laguna Seca while O'Ward secured himself a shot at the title with a fifth-place finish and Newgarden managed to secure his shot at the title with a seventh-place finish. Both Dixon and Ericsson were mathematically eliminated from title contention.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ryan |first1=Nate |title=IndyCar results and points standings after Laguna Seca |url=https://motorsports.nbcsports.com/2021/09/19/indycar-laguna-seca-results-points-standings-alex-palou-colton-herta-romain-grosjean/ |website=NBC Sports |date=19 September 2021 |publisher=NBC Universal |access-date=20 September 2021}}</ref> *'''2022''': IndyCar returned to Laguna Seca as the season finale for the first time since 2019. In what would be the closest championship battle in IndyCar history, five drivers would head into the race with a mathematical shot at the Astor Cup; [[Will Power]], [[Josef Newgarden]], [[Scott Dixon]], [[Marcus Ericsson]], and [[Scott McLaughlin (racing driver)|Scott McLaughlin]]. Power held the points lead at just over 20 points ahead of his rivals and had to finish no worse than third to clinch the championship. Power took the pole position, breaking Mario Andretti's record for IndyCar pole positions in the process. His closest competitors for the championship, Dixon and Newgarden, qualified thirteenth and twenty fifth respectively, the latter suffering from a spin while going through the Corkscrew. More distant but still viable championship contenders McLaughlin and Ericsson qualified eighth and tenth respectively. Power led the early stint of the race before being passed after the first series of pit stops by [[Álex Palou]], who would from then on dominate the race to take his only win of the season. Newgarden thrust himself back into contention for the championship with a furious drive from twenty fifth all the way to second place. Power hung on through the remaining pitstop sequences and one caution to finish third, clinching his second IndyCar title ahead of his rivals. *'''2023''': [[Felix Rosenqvist]] qualified on pole. Rosenqvist held the lead through early caution periods before surrendering it to [[Álex Palou]]. More caution periods saw [[Romain Grosjean]] take the lead in a series of pit sequences and finally led to [[Scott Dixon]] taking the lead and ultimately holding on for his third win of the season. *'''2024''': [[Álex Palou]] qualified on pole. Palou lost the lead early in the first lap to [[Kyle Kirkwood]]. Kirkwood lost the lead around lap 26 to [[Alexander Rossi]] on an overcut. The first caution of the day came on lap 36 when [[Luca Ghiotto]] crashed out, and Palou took the lead again upon the restart. Palou held on throughout two more late caution periods to keep the lead and take his second win at Laguna Seca. [[Colton Herta]], who towards the end was running a tight fuel save, managed to hold on for second place. Rossi rounded out the podium in third.
==See also== *[[Motul Course de Monterey]]
==References== {{reflist|3}}
==External links== *[http://www.ultimateracinghistory.com/racelist3.php?trackid=611 Ultimate Racing History: Laguna Seca archive] *[http://www.racingsportscars.com/track/archive/Laguna%20Seca.html Racing Sports Cars: Laguna Seca archive]
{{sequence |prev = [[IndyCar Series at the Milwaukee Mile]] |list = [[IndyCar Series]]<br>IndyCar Monterey Grand Prix |next = [[Grand Prix of St. Petersburg]] (next season) }} {{Champ Car Races}} {{IndyCar Series races}} {{Coord|36|35|3.4|N|121|45|11.8|W|type:event_region:US-CA|display=title}}
[[Category:Monterey Grand Prix]] [[Category:Can-Am races]] [[Category:IMSA GT Championship races]] [[Category:Champ Car races]] [[Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1960]] [[Category:Recurring sporting events disestablished in 2004]] [[Category:Recurring sporting events established in 2019]] [[Category:IndyCar Series races]] [[Category:1960 establishments in California]] [[Category:Motorsport competitions in the United States]] [[Category:Motorsport competitions in California]] [[Category:Annual sporting events in the United States]]