Laguna Seca Double Header Preview
INDYNXT heads west this weekend for a double header event at one of the worlds most famous racing circuits - WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
The 3.602km circuit in California is famous for its elevation and challenging “corkscrew” corner.
The INDYNXT schedule features five sessions across the weekend, with two practices on Friday (Saturday morning for Aus/NZ), qualifying and Race 1 on Saturday (Sunday morning for Aus/NZ) and Race 2 on Sunday afternoon (Monday morning for Aus/NZ), ahead of the INDYCAR main event.
Two practice sessions will give Callum the chance to come to grips with the 11-turn circuit, ahead of qualifying which will be crucial in securing a good result across the two 35-lap races.
“I’m super keen to finally get some laps around Laguna Seca. Its a track I’ve always wanted to drive. It looks fast and flowing, and overtaking seems to be tough. I feel our car should be quite fast, so if we can put it together in qualifying, we should have some good results, “said Hedge.
The double header event continues a spree of rounds for INDYNXT, with five rounds being held in the last two months. This momentum, Hedge says, is important in coming to grips with the intensity, and developing his car knowledge.
“The focus for me this weekend is to continue our progression, and consistency. Honestly, I’m desperate to stand on that top step - I know it isn’t far away.”
“Road America was promising, but luck wasn’t on our side. We have two chances this weekend to race at the front” Callum continued.
This weekend marks the second, and final double-header event of the 2024 schedule. Although a multi-race weekend is more what Callum is used too, Hedge says that he has really been enjoying the single race format, but the double header does give a chance for redemption.
“I’m undecided about if I like the single or double events better. At the start of the season, I was looking forward to the double-headers, as I knew backing it up was a bit of a strength for me. I’ve actually grown to love the single race format because you have to approach it different. Sometimes, if you have a bad race, it’s frustrating to have to wait to the next event, where as on a double header, you get a second chance. The double header weekends have proven to be quite demanding, especially when we have races that go for over an hour.”
Round 7 & 8 of INDYNXT gets underway with Practice 1 on Friday 21st June at 4:10pm Eastern Time - Saturday 22nd June 6:10am AEST & 8:10am NZT.
WEEKEND FACTS:
Race Distance: Race 1 & 2: 35 laps / 78.33 miles / 55 minutes (each race)
Push To Pass: 150 seconds of total time with a maximum time of 15 seconds per activation
Tire Allotment: Three new sets to be used during the event weekend. Two carryover sets from the Road America event may be used during Friday’s practice sessions.
Session Schedule:
