While Herta dominated Laguna Seca in the late 1990s with back-to-back wins in 1998 and 1999, his 1996 race is etched in history for a dramatic finish. On the final lap, Alex Zanardi executed one of motorsport’s most daring overtakes at the Corkscrew, passing Herta by sliding the car through the inside of the blind hairpin. It remains a defining moment, both heartbreaking and iconic.
Herta recalls how he momentarily braked mid-turn, expecting Zanardi to miss the corner, but the Italian racer expertly rotated his car, bounced down the hill, and emerged ahead. Despite the disappointment, Herta took pride in racing against one of the era’s greats and eventually besting Zanardi in subsequent battles.
The conversation highlights Herta’s driving style—aggressive yet controlled—and how Laguna’s high-speed, commitment corners rewarded his ability to carry speed through tight apexes. He also shared reflections on the track’s evolving role in IndyCar and his son Colton Herta’s rise, who carries the family legacy forward.
For fans of open-wheel history, this episode reveals the passion, precision, and drama that make Laguna Seca and “The Pass” a narrative cornerstone. It’s a celebration of one of the sport’s most breathtaking chapters, told by a man who lived it.