IndyCar: Laguna Seca to replace Sonoma Raceway on 2019 schedule

By Asher Fair | Jul 17, 2018

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is set to return to the IndyCar schedule in 2019 for the first time in 15 years. It is set replace to Sonoma Raceway.

The historic 11-turn, 2.238-mile (3.602-kilometer) WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca road course in Monterey, California last hosted an IndyCar race in the 2004 CART season. At that time, it had hosted one race per year for 22 years dating back to the 1983 season.

Since then, the only IndyCar-related races held at Laguna Seca have been Indy Lights races. Two Indy Lights races were hosted by the track in both the 2015 and 2016 seasons. However, this is set to change next year.

IndyCar is set to return to Laguna Seca next year for the first time in 15 years. The race at the track is set to replace the current race at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, California, and it is set to be the season finale through at least the 2021 season just like the race at Sonoma Raceway currently is.

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The 12-turn, 2.385-mile (3.838-kilometer) Sonoma Raceway road course has hosted one IndyCar race each year since the 2005 season, and it has hosted each of the last three IndyCar season finales. The track is scheduled to host an IndyCar race for the 14th consecutive season this September. In doing so, it is scheduled to host the fourth consecutive IndyCar season finale.

A total of 14 IndyCar races have been held at Sonoma Raceway. Only one of those 14 races was not held at the track within the last 13 seasons. That race was the Champ Car race that was held back in the 1970 season.

Here is what Hulman & Company president and CEO Mark Miles had to say about Laguna Seca replacing Sonoma on the 2019 schedule and beyond, according to Motorsport.com.

"“I can’t imagine a more attractive destination location for IndyCar’s season finale. Monterey is a place people want to be, and we will bring all of our guests. I think it’s a great choice for us.”"

Here is what WeatherTech Raceway CEO Timothy McGrane had to say about the matter, according to Motorsport.com.

"“The return of IndyCar to its spiritual road racing home of Laguna Seca is a tremendous honor and testament to the appeal of Monterey, and through the support of the County of Monterey will provide a significant economic benefit to our area businesses. We are looking forward to creating more memories in race fans’ minds.”"

The 2019 race at Laguna Seca is scheduled to take place on Sunday, September 22.

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Are you excited that Laguna Seca is set to return to the IndyCar schedule in the 2019 season as the replacement for Sonoma Raceway, or would you rather see Sonoma Raceway stay on the schedule? Would you rather see Sonoma Raceway leave the schedule but be replaced by another track? There is still a lot that needs to unfold before the 2019 schedule is set in stone. This announcement is just one piece of the puzzle.