Currently, the IndyCar Series is in the middle of a month-long hiatus, before they hit the streets of Nashville. However, with that in mind, a number of drivers on Tuesday were at Weather-Tech Raceway at Laguna Seca. This was a test session before the race there later this year. Josef Newgarden was fastest in this session at the track set to host the penultimate round of the season.
But the story of the day had nothing to do with any driver, team, car, or even human for that matter. It would be the massacre of the local squirrel population that yearned to get a closer look at the action.
Trackside Squirrels
Doing some research on the topic, squirrels are a common sight at the facility (bonus lizard on F1 track).
#MotoAmerica Such great racing this past weekend at Laguna Seca. Even this squirrel enjoyed it! pic.twitter.com/ss8y6LupT8
— Debbie Swanson (@DSwanson60) July 13, 2016
#MotoAmerica Such great racing this past weekend at Laguna Seca. Even this squirrel enjoyed it! pic.twitter.com/ss8y6LupT8
— Debbie Swanson (@DSwanson60) July 13, 2016
https://www.instagram.com/p/BAygGN7qCFi/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
These look like the California Ground Squirrel. Their life expectancy is around six years (while not slain by Dallara IR18’s). In addition, according to the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, they can grow up to 19 inches long. Along with being and prey for birds, namely hawks, eagles, falcons, and owls, in addition to rattlesnakes.
Nothing New
Additionally, squirrels are no strangers to the IndyCar scene. There have been numerous run-ins in the past involving the big-tailed rodent. They have frequently tried to get as close to the action as possible at the Belle Isle circuit in Detroit.
No Squirrels were harmed in taking this photo 🐿
📷 @indycar pic.twitter.com/eHcPrlVt6M
— Robert Wickens (@robertwickens) June 6, 2018
We can’t watch.🙈😨
First geese at @IMS… Now squirrels at the @detroitgp.@TXMotorSpeedway, what could possibly be next?😳#INDYCAR // #DetroitGP pic.twitter.com/bWbsALgAUo
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) June 1, 2018
Nobody was more excited to see @ScottDixon9 win the @DetroitGP than this SQUIRREL. @INDYCAR // #DetroitGP pic.twitter.com/wp6Wt9WCmd
— IndyCar on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) June 3, 2019
Unlike their Laguna Seca cousins, it appears that their Detroit squirrels have fared much better on the other hand.
The Aftermath
After Tuesday’s session, Marshall Pruett of Racer.com was able to grab Newgarden to get his thoughts.
“This was a record…There were at least eight carcasses out there at one point. It got so bad, there were three on the racing line in Turn 11, and they had to red flag the session to clean things up because we’re having to alter our lines under braking just to avoid them.”
Pruett also said that it was believed that Colton Herta managed to hit four, count them four, squirrels on just one lap. A devastating day for the squirrel population in California to say the least.
The look on my face after hearing @josefnewgarden‘s account of today’s @IndyCar test at @WeatherTechRcwy. pic.twitter.com/IaqNpqd22V
— Marshall Pruett (@marshallpruett) July 21, 2021
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Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images
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