Colton Herta, the Andretti Global racing driver, commemorated his father Bryan Herta’s legacy with a special livery during the 2023 Laguna Seca race. This tribute marked the 25th anniversary of Bryan Herta’s first series victory in 1998 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, a track that holds deep significance for both father and son.
Bryan Herta, a former American racecar driver, competed for well-known teams such as Andretti Green Racing, Chip Ganassi Racing, and A.J. Foyt Racing. Throughout his career, he participated in the Indianapolis 500 five times and secured top-ten finishes on three occasions. Currently, Bryan serves as the strategist for Andretti Global driver Kyle Kirkwood, who drives car #27.
The special livery Colton used highlighted the victories his father achieved, and like Bryan, Colton has won twice consecutively at Laguna Seca. Additionally, Colton has consistently qualified near the front, never starting a race outside the first two rows at the track.
“My dad and I have a lot of special memories at Laguna Seca. The Gainbridge throwback livery is a great way to celebrate the 25th anniversary of my dad’s win. I’m excited to showcase it in front of our fans in a few weeks.”
Earlier during the year, Colton surprised Bryan by allowing him to drive the very car in which he earned his first career victory. Colton’s own wins at Laguna Seca, in 2019 and 2021, have solidified the track as a family milestone, though the 2020 race was canceled amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Breaking the Winless Streak with a Strong Performance in Toronto
In 2024, Colton Herta ended a lengthy winless streak by taking first place at the Toronto race. Starting from pole position, he led 81 of the 85 laps, showcasing a commanding pace throughout the event.
Following the victory, Herta shared his emotional relief and the significance of this win for both himself and his team. He emphasized the challenges they had faced despite consistent competitiveness and highlighted the demands for perfection within Andretti Global.
“We needed this so bad. We’ve been competitive all year, but we just haven’t been able to get the final result. It was a big day.”
“We’ve been knocking on the door to win for so long. Forty-one starts without a win is a long time, and it’s been disappointing for us. We are a team that demands perfection. I’m so happy. The Gainbridge Honda was incredibly fast,” he added.
Colton finished just 0.3469 seconds ahead of his teammate Kyle Kirkwood, who shares the same Andretti Global team. This race victory marked not only the end of Colton’s 40-race winless streak but also his eighth career win. He dominated all practice sessions as well, recording the fastest times in every one. The 1-2 finish by Herta and Kirkwood represented a milestone as Andretti Global’s first top-two finish since the team’s 2023 rebranding.
The Emotional Impact of Colton Herta’s Tribute and Future Prospects
Colton Herta’s decision to honor his father with a specially designed livery reflects the profound influence Bryan Herta has had on his racing career. The shared successes at Laguna Seca and the emotional weight of breaking his winless streak in Toronto have both underscored Colton’s intense dedication to the sport.
Given the family ties and the continued strong performances for Andretti Global, Colton Herta’s tribute to his father is more than a gesture; it symbolizes the continuation of a competitive legacy. Looking ahead, this momentum could inspire further victories and strengthen the team’s standing in upcoming races.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What happened to Colton Herta?
A. During the Indianapolis 500 qualifying on Saturday morning, IndyCar driver Colton Herta managed to walk away unharmed after a serious crash. His car lost control coming out of Turn 1 on his first lap, hit the outside wall, went airborne, and flipped over.
Q. Will Colton Herta join F1?
A. Herta currently lacks the super license points needed to drive in F1. Graeme Lowdon, head of the American Cadillac F1 team, views this team as Herta’s opportunity to enter F1. He stated that they have no intention of pushing for a rule change to adjust the current requirements.
Q. Is Colton Herta a good driver?
A. Colton Herta races for Andretti Global in the Indy 500. He is from Valencia, California. In 2024, he won two races in Toronto and Nashville, bringing his total to nine wins in 99 starts. Additionally, he finished on the podium six times and was ranked second in series points behind Alex Palou.
