Spring 2024

C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G 2 0 2 4 121 knew it could. During pandemic shutdowns, local high schools were wel- comed to Laguna Seca to hold graduations. It’s also a site for regular blood drives and nonprofit organization events. Laguna Seca recently finished an eight-month, $20 million track resur- facing project, also adding a much-needed pedestrian bridge crossing over the course at the start/finish line. Narigi has worked closely with county staff as well as earning support from the Board of Supervisors which he greatly appreciates. To be competitive in bidding for events, critical infra- structure is required. Narigi knows he must add value. He knows Laguna Seca is capable of staying world class with strategic capital improvements, but getting the events is just the beginning. Being guest friendly is impor- tant. Being guest and family friendly is even more important. Kid zones and go-carting, highlighting local amenities and showcasing local cuisine, are all areas where Narigi and his team have concentrated their attention to make sure the guest, and the participant, experience is one that keeps everyone entertained and wanting to come back. As a county-owned facility under the parks department, he recognizes his bot- tom line doesn’t just come from the success of the events they hold, but from the amount of revenue put into the local economy. When Laguna Seca hosts events, spend goes up and it's one of the county’s highest tax On November 9, 1957, underdog Pete Lovely surprised the field and won the inaugural race at Laguna Seca in his Ferrari 500 Testa Rosa. The starting line of the inaugural race. Lovely was not expected to win with his 2-liter-engine Ferrari, as he was up against much faster cars, but he utilized a tremendous charge on the last lap for a first-place finish. Photo: Courtesy of WeatherTech Raceway archives Photo: Courtesy of WeatherTech Raceway archives