Story By: ASHLEY KELLER / CHEVROLET – DETROIT, MI – The eighth round of the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship takes the Chevrolet drivers and teams to legendary WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca near Monterey, Calif. for the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey.
With three previous races at Laguna Seca in the 2.2-liter twin-turbo V6 era since 2012 (2019, 2022, and 2023), Chevrolet looks to race to victory lane while adding to two earned NTT P1 Pole Awards (Will Power in 2022, and Felix Rosenqvist in 2023), as well as their four podium finishes and 50 laps led.
With Team Chevy scoring four wins this season, including the Indianapolis 500, as well as three earned NTT P1 Pole Awards, 10 podium finishes and 316 laps led overall in the seven events so far, the Bowtie brand looks to add a win at Laguna Seca this weekend.
A technical paved road course constructed for both motorcycle and auto racing, the 2.238-mile track features considerable elevation change, as well as 11 turns including the famous “Corkscrew” at Turn 8 and 8A, plunging downhill and is one of the most recognizable turns in all of motorsports.
“After a very hectic schedule from the month of May through Milwaukee testing, our Chevrolet engineering group and teams have had just a short time to catch their collective breath before loading up to head to Monterey, California, and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca,” said Rob Buckner, Chevrolet INDYCAR Program Manager. “Easily one of the most recognizable and iconic road courses worldwide, the track presents numerous challenges for our engineering group working with our teams. There are steep elevation changes, tight technical corners, and the famous Corkscrew, which is a combination of high-speed technical corners that spills out into the fastest part of the track, turns nine, 10, heading to the sharp right-hand turn 11, and on to the front straightaway. It is critically important that drivers have the handling and balance needed to put the Chevy power down and maximize their tools to put together a winning drive. We are well prepared and looking forward to taking the momentum from the Road America victory to the winner’s circle at Laguna Seca.”
The 95-lap, 212.61-mile Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey kicks off with the first practice on Friday, June 21 at 5 p.m. ET. Saturday sees the second practice at 1 p.m. ET with qualifying and the Firestone Fast Six following at 5:15 p.m. ET. Race day starts with warm-up at 3 p.m. ET, and the race takes the green flag at 6 p.m. ET on USA Network. All practice and qualifying sessions are broadcast with Peacock, INDYCAR Radio, and SiriusXM Channel 218.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING (Quotes):
Santino Ferrucci, No. 14 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet:
“[Laguna Seca is] a fun track to put laps together there. It’s a cool track because it’s historical, but not only does it have historic corners, it’s a lot of fun to drive in our race cars. It’s one of the tracks in IndyCar with truly blind corners and you have to really commit. The best places to pass are Turn 2, passing into the Corkscrew, and the last corner.
Some of the fun aspects of that track are just being out in Monterey which is really nice and very pretty. It’s just a fun race track, especially since they repaved it. It makes it more challenging because it’s quicker so a little bit more high commitment. A cool track all around. High pace. Quick. Very physical, very demanding. It’s probably one of our most physical courses all year.”
Sting Ray Robb, No. 41 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet:
“[Laguna Seca] is my favorite. There is a lot to love between the different style corners, the elevation changes and the location. I think I have had some of my best results there because it has always been an end of season event and that is where we are the most prepared. The style of the track I think is good for me as well. There is a lot of smooth but fast turns that flow very well together. One of the most exciting places to pass is the Corkscrew and actually is a very good spot to pass. It always looks pretty spectacular.
I love being on the west coast. The atmosphere is usually pretty great and the weather is beautiful. Laguna Seca is one of the best tracks to qualify at as well. It is fast and challenging but requires good consistency.”
Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:
“In the past, we haven’t quite had the best of weekends at Laguna Seca. I think that definitely speaks to the motivation that we have going back this year. It was a pretty hectic race last year, so we’ll see what it’s got in store for us this year.”
Nolan Siegel, No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:
“I’m very excited for my first race with Arrow McLaren at my home event at Laguna Seca. It’ll be a special weekend having all my family and friends there, but it’s also exciting also having it be my first weekend in papaya. Coming off of a win at Le Mans is a great way to start this relationship and I’m really looking forward to getting going.”
Alexander Rossi, No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:
“It was nice to have a little break after a long stretch of racing, but I’m super excited to get back to the track. We had strong cars at Laguna Seca last year and I’m looking forward to coming back here just as competitive. It’s sort of a home race for me, so there’s plenty of motivation to put on a great show for everyone.”
Gavin Ward, Team Principal at Arrow McLaren:
“I love classic racetracks like Laguna Seca that reward bravery and punish mistakes. We need race cars that give our drivers the confidence to attack the high-speed turns and navigate tricky elevation changes. This is our last race before introducing INDYCAR’s new hybrid powertrain, so we’ll be looking to head into the hybrid era on a high note.”
Christian Rasmussen, No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet:
“I love racing at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca! I have great memories there, the latest being locking up the INDY NXT championship by winning by over 15 seconds last year. I am looking forward to experiencing the track it in an NTT INDYCAR SERIES car!”
Rinus VeeKay, No. 21 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet:
“It was great to have a weekend off, but I am very excited to get back to racing! We had a good car at Laguna Seca last year, we should have the same fast car again this year. Hopefully, we get into a different rhythm and better results for the second half of the season!”
Romain Grosjean, No. 77 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet:
“Excited to surf on a good road this weekend at a track where JHR had pace last year.”
Agustin Canapino, No. 78 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet:
“We arrive to this weekend with big expectations because of the performance that we had last year. At this track. Laguna Seca is one of the best track of the year, a legendary track that every driver wants to drive.”
Chevrolet in Laguna Seca (V6 era):
Wins at Laguna Seca: 0
Earned Pole Awards at Laguna Seca: 2
2022: Will Power
2023: Felix Rosenqvist
Number of Team Chevy Podiums at Laguna Seca (V6 era): 4
Number of laps led by Team Chevy at Laguna Seca (V6 era): 50
2024 CHEVROLET BY THE NUMBERS:
206: NTT INDYCAR Series races as V6 engine supplier since 2012 return to INDYCAR.
115: Wins in the NTT INDYCAR Series since 2012.
130: Earned poles since 2012. Chevrolet holds 135 pole awards in total, with five recorded based on points for weather.
8: Manufacturer Championships since 2012.
7: Driver/entrant champions since 2012.
13: Indianapolis 500 victories by Chevrolet at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
6: Indianapolis 500 wins by Chevrolet since 2012 in the V6 2.2-liter twin turbo direct injected era.
33: Number of times Chevrolet has swept the podium in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES since 2012 in the V6 2.2-liter twin turbo direct injected era. In total, a manufacturer has swept the podium 50 times since 2012 in the V6 era.
27: Wins by Will Power since 2012 – all with Chevrolet power – most of any driver with the same manufacturer.
9: Wins from the pole by Will Power with Chevrolet power since 2012, most by any driver.
46: Pole starts by Will Power since 2012 in a Chevrolet-powered car, most of any driver.
*Will Power’s career total of 70 poles makes him the all-time pole winner in INDYCAR.