Laguna Seca getting new name after 17 years

For most people, over the last 17 years, the words “Laguna Seca” were always preceded by “Mazda Raceway.” But starting next month, we’ll be calling the famous racetrack something different.

It might take a while for many to get used to, but in less than two weeks, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca will officially be known as WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

The announcement officially comes today after Monterey County and WeatherTech came to terms on a multiyear naming rights agreement at the iconic motorsports and entertainment facility. Chicago-based WeatherTech is an American company that makes vehicle accessories and has involvement in the motorsports industry. The partnership will officially begin on April first. The transition came quickly for the world-famous racetrack.

“There’s so much history here. There’s so much to present both from the prestige from the history and also what we’re trying to build here. We’re trying to build here. We’re trying to upgrade the facility and not just the famous piece of asphalt but everything around it to make it a world-class motorsports/entertainment complex,” said WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Public Relations Manager Brad Littlefield.

The current naming rights deal is worth five-million dollars and will last five years with WeatherTech. The first official event to take place on WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca will be the Sea Otter Classic, which will run April 19th-22nd.

And here’s a fun fact that many might speculate went into the naming rights deal; WeatherTech’s CEO David MacNeil and his son Cooper are both sports car racers, and David just happens to live in the Pebble Beach Area.