Alex Zanardi is a tenacious racer with a reputation for last-lap fireworks. His attacking style has been spoken of often, but it was his pass at the 1996 CART race at Laguna Seca which stands out in most fans’ memories. After pursuing race leader Bryan Herta for a series of laps, Zanardi executed one of history’s most outrageous overtaking maneuvers, which has since been ceremoniously dubbed as “The Pass.”

The CART machines of the 1990s were fearsome machines that made a spectacle that was, in many people’s eyes, comparable to, if not better than, Formula One. Although heavier and less sophisticated, the CART monsters boasted turbocharged V8s that gave them incredible acceleration. At Laguna Seca, power is a huge advantage, and being able to harness 800 horsepower on the slippery, sand-swept Monterey racetrack can ensure victory.

Zanardi’s showy overtake was a last-minute, do-or-die maneuver.

Zanardi’s wild, tail-out driving style endeared him to many, but it made him prone to the odd mistake. Seeing him veer off-course in the daunting Rainey Curve, a downhill, off-camber left that catches the best out, it could be assumed that he wasn’t going to catch the smooth, clean Herta. However, with the bit between his teeth, Zanardi mounted a charge, which eventually saw him nipping at the heels of the race leader.

As the white flag was thrown, Zanardi was just about in striking distance. Approaching the Corkscrew, Zanardi divebombed the American in great style, nearly hitting him in the process. With everything riding on this move, Zanardi just manages to avoid the barriers as he runs into the dirt, hopping back onto the track just in time to keep Herta behind until he passed the checkered flag.

Quick thinking, a bit of luck and some excessive bravery gave Zanardi the win.

“The Pass,” garnered Zanardi plenty of fans and plenty of criticism. With all four wheels off the track, it could’ve been deemed illegal, but because of the showmanship and the incredible bravery involved, it was allowed. Now, people joke about “Doing a Zanardi” at Laguna Seca’s track days, but in reality, nobody in their right mind would try such a thing — that behavior is only for the demigods.