Laguna Seca practice delayed after Porsche driver crashes through fence at Zanardi Corkscrew

Key points

• Manuel Gil Del Real crashed heavily at the Zanardi Corkscrew during Race 1 of the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America support series on Saturday morning.
• The car went airborne, nearly cleared the tire barrier, and tore completely through the fencing before rolling into the trees.
• Gil Del Real was conscious and airlifted to a Salinas hospital; Porsche Motorsport North America confirmed he was awake and being treated.
• No fans or photographers were injured when the car left the track confines.
• IndyCar practice was delayed by over two hours and shortened to 25 minutes due to lengthy barrier and fencing repairs.
• The crash occurred at the turn complex officially renamed the 'Zanardi Corkscrew' earlier that weekend to honor Alex Zanardi.

Background

The incident took place at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, which had just dedicated the 'Zanardi Corkscrew' in honor of Alex Zanardi, celebrating his 1996 victory and his legacy in motorsports. This weekend marks the final race of the 2026 NTT IndyCar Series season, with Alex Palou having already clinched the championship. The track had previously experienced delays due to fog in July 2025, but this stoppage was due to physical track damage. A similar incident involving a car tearing through a fence occurred in Pensacola in August 2026, but that was an unrelated road accident.

How outlets are covering it

Motorsport.com provided the primary account of the crash, detailing the driver's identity, the sequence of the accident, and the immediate medical status. IndyCar.com focused on the broader context of the weekend, highlighting Alex Palou's dominance in Friday's practice and the championship implications, while noting the delay but not the specific crash details. Heavy.com offered a detailed timeline of the shifting practice start times, citing veteran reporter Bob Pockrass and IndyCar's official updates, and emphasized that the delay was due to track repairs rather than weather. Autoweek's content was largely obscured by code, but its title suggested a focus on the historic nature of the drivers and cars at Laguna Seca. The outlets agreed on the cause of the delay but differed in emphasis, with Motorsport.com and Heavy.com focusing on the incident and logistics, while IndyCar.com focused on the competitive landscape.

Why it matters

The crash highlights the inherent risks of motorsport, even in support series, and the impact such incidents can have on the schedule of major events like the IndyCar season finale. The extensive damage to the track infrastructure required significant repair time, disrupting the practice sessions for the main series. The incident also occurred at a turn recently renamed to honor a motorsport legend, adding a layer of historical significance to the event. The delay affected the preparation for the final race, where the championship for second place is still being contested among three drivers.

What to watch

IndyCar practice eventually began at approximately 2:10 PM ET, lasting only 25 minutes. Qualifying was scheduled for 4:30 PM ET, followed by a final practice session at 8:00 PM ET. The main race is scheduled for Sunday at 2:30 PM ET. Further updates on Manuel Gil Del Real's condition were expected as he was being evaluated at the hospital. The track repairs were completed, allowing the weekend's schedule to proceed, albeit with a shortened practice session.