Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Christian Lundgaard in the No.45 Hy-Vee Honda broke the long-standing track record at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca ahead of today’s 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season-ending Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey.
Helio Castroneves set the record of 01:07.722 when CART raced at Laguna Seca in the year 2000.
The 23 year record was broken when Lundgaard set a 01:06.461s and speaking after setting the new track record at this iconic circuit Lundgaard said:
It is pretty cool, I must say. “Coming to such a historical track, we expected it to be a lot quicker, but I don’t think we expected to do this. It’s pretty cool to have the track record here. The track is just awesome.”
Fast laps have been the order of the weekend due to repaving of the circuit.
Speaking about the repave, Kyle Kirkwood of Andretti Autosport said:
Yea, it’s FAST,” the steering effort is astronomical.”
Arrow McLaren’s Alexander Rossi in the No.7 VELO Chevrolet stated:
Laguna Seca has always been a driver’s favorite…but now it’s just like you want to try and be as brave as you want to be.”