Colton Herta, an Andretti Global driver, paid homage to his father Bryan Herta with a special tribute livery during the 2023 season, marking 25 years since Bryan’s landmark victory at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The tribute highlights the close bond between father and son and commemorates a significant milestone in American open-wheel racing history.
Bryan Herta, a former professional driver, competed for prominent teams such as Andretti Green Racing, Chip Ganassi Racing, and A.J. Foyt Racing, achieving five Indianapolis 500 starts with three top-ten finishes. Today, Bryan supports Andretti Global as the strategist for driver Kyle Kirkwood, adding his experience to the team’s efforts.
The special livery worn by Colton celebrated Bryan’s inaugural series win in 1998 at Laguna Seca—a track where both father and son have made their marks with back-to-back victories and strong qualifying performances.
“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.”
—Colton Herta, Andretti Global Driver
Earlier that year, Colton surprised Bryan by driving the very car in which his father secured his first victory, symbolizing a full-circle moment in their shared racing journey. Colton himself claimed consecutive wins at Laguna Seca in 2019 and 2021, with the 2020 race canceled amid the pandemic.
Ending a Challenging Winless Phase with a Dominant Toronto Victory
In 2024, Colton Herta broke a long winless streak by dominating the Toronto race, starting from pole position and leading 81 out of 85 laps. His commanding performance reinvigorated both himself and the Andretti Global team, signaling a return to competitive success.
“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.”
—Colton Herta, Andretti Global Driver
“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 Herta, Andretti Global Driver
Colton edged out his teammate Kyle Kirkwood by just 0.3469 seconds to secure the victory, following a weekend where he dominated all practice sessions and posted the fastest lap times. The result also marked Andretti Global’s inaugural 1-2 finish since the team’s rebranding in 2023 and represented Colton’s eighth career win.
The Enduring Impact of the Herta Family on American Racing
The special tribute livery and Colton Herta’s recent victory underline the continuing influence of the Herta family on American motorsport. Bryan Herta’s achievements in the late 1990s set a foundation that Colton has built upon with his own successes, particularly at the Laguna Seca track, which remains a landmark venue for both drivers.
As Colton’s career progresses, his connection to his father‘s legacy serves not only as motivation but also as a bridge linking past and present racing generations. The tribute and his renewed competitive form offer hope for upcoming seasons as he seeks further victories and championships with Andretti Global.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What happened to Colton Herta?
A. IndyCar racer Colton Herta emerged unhurt after a big crash during Indianapolis 500 qualifying early on Saturday.
His vehicle slipped coming out of Turn 1 on the first lap, hit the outside wall, went airborne, and flipped over.
Q. Will Colton Herta join F1?
A. Herta does not yet have enough super license points to qualify for F1. Graeme Lowdon, the head of the American Cadillac F1 team, which is seen as Herta’s likely route to a talked-about F1 debut, states that the team will not push for a rule change to adjust the 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 races in Toronto and Nashville, bringing his career total to nine wins out of 99 races. He also had six podium finishes and ranked second in series points behind Alex Palou.