Andretti INDYCAR and INDY NXT Squads Head to Laguna Seca to Close Out Busy July Stretch

7.25.25

The Andretti INDYCAR and Andretti INDY NXT teams have made their way west this weekend for a thrilling road course event at the legendary WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Located in Monterey, California, the 2.238-mile, 11-turn circuit is famed for the “Corkscrew,” a dramatic six-story drop in just 450 feet. Originally built in 1957 to provide a safer alternative to the Pebble Beach Road Races, Laguna Seca has since become a cornerstone of American motorsport, hosting everything from sports cars to motorcycles. This weekend promises nonstop action with an INDY NXT by Firestone doubleheader and a Sunday afternoon showdown for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.


Round14/17
Track TypeRoad Course
Turns11
Laps95 Laps
Track Length2.238 Miles
Round10 & 11/14
Track TypeRoad Course
Turns11
Laps35 Laps
Track Length2.238 Miles

INDYCAR

  • Since the NTT INDYCAR SERIES returned to the historic Northern California road course in 2019, Andretti INDYCAR has recorded one win (C. Herta – 2021), one pole position (C. Herta – 2021), seven top-10 finishes and has led 126 laps. 

Colton Herta

  • California native Colton Herta returns to Laguna Seca this weekend for his sixth career start on the iconic Northern California road course. The 25-year-old is no stranger to success at the circuit, having earned back-to-back wins from the pole and leading a total of 183 laps.  
  • This weekend, he has the chance to surpass his father, Bryan Herta’s, win record at Laguna Seca. The eldest Herta dominated Laguna Seca in the late 90s, earning three consecutive poles and back-to-back victories. 
  • During last year’s race at Laguna Seca, Herta ran consistently in the top five before ultimately finishing second following a yellow in the closing laps. The result marked his 15th career podium and his third on the Northern California circuit at the time. 

Kyle Kirkwood

  • Piloting the recently announced No. 27 JM Bullion Honda this weekend, Kyle Kirkwood returns to the famed Northern California circuit for the fourth time, aiming to capture his first road course win. In addition to being featured as the primary partner of the No. 27 at Laguna Seca, JM Bullion has released an exclusive line of Andretti-themed silver bullion products that highlight the team’s talented stable of drivers, including a special edition coin featuring Kirkwood that will be available for purchase. 
  • In 2024, Kirkwood recorded his best qualifying result at Laguna Seca, earning his first front-row start of the season. On the opening lap, he charged to the lead, going on to lead 24 of the 95 laps before securing a career-best finish at Laguna Seca in fifth. 

Marcus Ericsson

  • Returning to Laguna Seca for the sixth time, Marcus Ericsson has recorded three top-10 finishes and has only qualified outside the top 12 twice. 
  • The Swede delivered an impressive performance at Laguna Seca last year after navigating the No. 28 up eight positions and completing 31 on-track passes to take the checkered in 10th. In addition to setting the fastest lap of the race on Lap 20, Ericsson went on to record his third consecutive top-10 finish and fourth of the season at the time. 
Driver Championship Standings
Colton Herta278 points8th
Kyle Kirkwood363 points3rd
Marcus Ericsson195 points19th

INDY NXT

  • Following a week off from racing, Andretti INDY NXT will head to the West Coast this weekend to compete in the Grand Prix of Monterey doubleheader race weekend for the seventh time since 2015. Over the years, the Andretti team has acquired numerous successes on the California road course, converting all seven of its INDY NXT pole positions into wins (Kirkwood – 2021 R1 & R2, Robb – 2022 R1, Rasmussen – 2022 R2, McElrea – 2023 R1, Foster – 2024 R1 & R2), collecting 16 podiums, recording 38 top-10 finishes and leading 240 laps.

Lochie Hughes

  • Lochie Hughes will make his INDY NXT debut at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca this weekend with the Andretti INDY NXT team. The Australian driver participated in the two-day testing session at the California track in February of this year with the team, where he wrapped up both days in the top 10.
  • At the four other road course races that Hughes has run this season, he has never finished outside of the top three and even secured two pole positions (Indianapolis Grand Prix R1, R2) and a win (Indianapolis Grand Prix R1).

Salvador de Alba

  • Returning for his second INDY NXT appearance at Laguna Seca, Salvador de Alba will look to build upon last year’s run that saw the Mexican driver lock in results just outside of the top 10 in Race 1 and in the top five in Race 2.
  • While testing with the team at the track earlier this year, de Alba recorded the 10th quickest lap of the test on day one and finished 12th on day two.

Dennis Hauger

  • Current INDY NXT Championship leader Dennis Hauger will make his first INDY NXT career race start at Laguna Seca this weekend. During the INDY NXT test at this track five months ago, Hauger recorded strong results, locking in the second-fastest lap time of the day on the first day of testing and then leading day two of the test.
  • Hauger has had strong performances on road courses this year, collecting three pole positions (Grand Prix of Alabama, Grand Prix at Road America and Grand Prix at Mid-Ohio), three wins (Grand Prix of Alabama, Indianapolis Grand Prix R2 and Grand Prix at Mid-Ohio) and one additional podium finish (Grand Prix at Road America).

James Roe

  • Returning to Laguna Seca for the third time, James Roe plans to make his fifth and sixth starts at the California track this weekend. Last year’s doubleheader weekend saw Roe score his career-best result on the track in Race 1, taking the checkered in fifth place.
  • During the Series-wide test this year, Roe completed the 12th and 18th quickest laps on day one and two, respectively.

Seb Murray

  • Representing the Andretti Cape team, rookie Seb Murray will make his first race start this weekend at Laguna Seca.
  • Although he hasn’t raced at this track before, he did test there with the team in February. Murray made great improvements, going from 14th on day one to jumping up to the third quickest by the end of day two.

Ricardo Escotto

  • Andretti Cape INDY NXT and Ricardo Escotto will part ways for the remainder of the 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone season, beginning with this weekend’s Grand Prix of Monterey doubleheader. The team wishes Ricardo the best in his future endeavors. 
Andretti INDY NXT Driver Championship Standings
Lochie Hughes338 points2nd
Salvador de Alba258 points5th
Dennis Hauger414 points1st
James Roe148 points12th
Andretti Cape INDY NXT Driver Championship Standings
Seb Murray140 points14th

No. 26 Gainbridge Honda


“Outside of the Indy 500, Laguna Seca is probably the best weekend of the year for me. It’s definitely my favorite road course in the U.S. The repave has made the track so fast and challenging, and it really just brings out the best in INDYCAR. We’ve had a lot of success there, and I’m feeling confident that we can put together another strong weekend with the Gainbridge crew.” 

No. 27 JM Bullion Honda


“Last year at Laguna Seca, we started second and led the entire first stint. We had a shot at a win or a podium, but it just didn’t quite come together. The racing really improved with the updated rules and regulations introduced last season. So, we’re hoping to build on the momentum from the 2024 race and get JM Bullion their first INDYCAR win this weekend.”

No. 28 Delaware Life Honda


“Laguna Seca is one of the most iconic tracks on the calendar.  The track itself is tricky with the sand surrounding it. Usually, you want to be as close to that sand as possible without tipping a wheel in it, which happens a lot. I’m always excited to race at Laguna and can’t wait to see what we can do after a strong weekend in Toronto.”

Rob Edwards

Chief Operating Officer


“The marathon of July is almost over with the fifth race over the last four weeks at Laguna Seca. Last year, we placed two cars in the top five and all three in the top 10. After a tough doubleheader in Iowa, I was extremely proud of how the team bounced back and delivered a strong weekend in Toronto with all three cars finishing in the top six. With that momentum, we look forward to finishing the month strong.”

No. 26 McGinley Clinic/USF Pro Championship Dallara

Andretti INDY NXT


“After a week off, we get to go out to sunny California, so I’m excited about that. Laguna is a fast track with a lot of history and cool experiences, like going down the corkscrew. It’s also the second doubleheader of the season and one race closer to the end of the Championship, so it’ll be important to maximize what we can on points so that we have a chance.”

No. 27 Grupo Indi Dallara

Andretti INDY NXT


“We’re heading to Laguna Seca this weekend, which is very exciting for me because it feels like a hometown race in a way. There are a lot of Mexican fans who come out to this one, so I’m happy to be there and share that with them. The track itself is fun and has cool features like the corkscrew that always make for an exciting race.”

No. 28 Rental Group Dallara

Andretti INDY NXT


“Laguna is one of my favorite tracks on the calendar, and I can’t wait to race there. It’s also one of the most technical and physical tracks that we visit. It’s going to be cool to go out for the first time in a race and get through some of the legendary corners on the track. I’ll definitely be using what I’ve learned this year to hopefully make it a good race.”

No. 29 Topcon Dallara

Andretti INDY NXT


“We’re starting the West Coast swing with a doubleheader weekend in Laguna, and there are some big points for us on the table. It’s a very technical, high-speed commitment track, so qualifying is very important. We’ll put an emphasis on that and hopefully have a strong start for both races to set us up for some good results.”

No. 2 Dream Racing Dubai Dallara

Andretti Cape INDY NXT


“I’m really excited for Laguna, it’s probably my favorite track of this season, so I hope to have a great weekend here. After not getting to run in Iowa, I’ve been eager to get back in the car, so I’m hoping that all goes well and that we make the most of the two races.”

Don Lambert

Team Manager


“After a well-deserved weekend off for the INDY NXT team, we are all looking forward to the doubleheader at Laguna Seca. It’s another awesome and iconic track on our calendar, but it’s also very physically challenging for the drivers with the famous corkscrew. We just need to keep executing what we’ve been working on this year every time we’re on track, so if we continue to do that, I believe that fans will see a lot of Andretti drivers at the top of the charts this weekend.”