Laguna Seca renames iconic Corkscrew after racing legend Alex Zanardi
For motorcycle fans, Laguna Seca’s Corkscrew is famous with one of Valentino Rossi’s most memorable MotoGP battles.
On July 20, 2008, Rossi and Casey Stoner went head-to-head at the world-famous California circuit, with Rossi making a daring move through the Corkscrew’s steep downhill section. The Italian ran off the tarmac but managed to rejoin ahead of Stoner and hold on for the victory.
The battle became one of the defining moments of their rivalry and one of the most memorable passes in modern MotoGP.
Now, the iconic section of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca has a new name.
The circuit has officially renamed Turns 8 and 8A the Zanardi Corkscrew, honoring racing legend Alex Zanardi and the spectacular pass he made there 30 years ago.
The dedication took place on September 4, 2026, exactly 30 years after Zanardi’s famous move on Bryan Herta during the final lap of the 1996 CART season finale.
Zanardi was chasing Herta for the lead when he made his move into the Corkscrew. He dropped two wheels into the dirt while forcing his way alongside Herta, completed the pass and went on to win the race.
The move became known simply as “The Pass” and cemented Zanardi’s place in Laguna Seca history.
Zanardi’s legacy in motorsport extends far beyond that race. He won two CART championships and 15 races during his career before returning to motorsport after losing both legs in a 2001 racing accident. He later became a Paralympic gold medalist in handcycling.
The Corkscrew itself remains one of the most recognizable sections of any racing circuit. The blind left-right combination drops roughly 33 meters over just 137 meters of track, making it one of Laguna Seca’s biggest challenges.
