On the fast track: officials recognize a new record time at Laguna Seca.

IndyCar’s Alex Palou holds the official track record at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, a blistering lap of 1:08.41 during the 2023 Firestone Grand Prix. Unofficially—meaning not under race conditions—Marc Gené tore around the 2.23-mile circuit in 1:05.78, driving a Formula 1 Ferrari. That was in 2012.

In October of this year, Daniel Rubio circled the track in a time that was not very impressive by comparison, a full 12 minutes and 54 seconds, no extra decimals needed.

Dave Faries here, also noting that Rubio’s time is a record at Laguna Seca. And on Friday, Nov. 22, track officials held a ceremony recognizing his feat. You see, for the first time in the track’s history, an official footrace took place on the iconic asphalt—not a Turkey Trot, where times don’t count, but middle school cross country competitions between teams from area school districts.

Rubio is a true scholar athlete, obviously fast on his feet, he has a 4.0 grade point average at La Paz Middle School in Salinas. In October, he won the eighth grade boys competition, establishing the record time. But he was not the only winner. In the eighth grade girls event, El Sausal’s Melissa Hernandez took the checkered flag—and they did wave the checkers—while Jurenz Mata and Aliaha Cruz won the seventh grade boys and girls races, respectively, Mata running for Salinas’ Harden and Cruz for La Paz.

Clearly it was a good outing for the La Paz squad. Coach Jessica Epps thought so, noting at the time that being on the famous track “motivates the runners because it allows them to run in an environment that other schools have not done yet. They are making history!"

The sixth grade competition went to Alexis Soto (boys) and Yolotdin Ortega (girls), both from Gavilan View.

So there you have it. Last Friday track executives made it official. The time of 12:54 is a Laguna Seca record on two feet rather than four wheels. I will be participating in the unofficial Turkey Trot tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day.

My time will not be recorded—thankfully.