The Skip Barber Race Series will visit the newly repaved WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca this week as the championship battle between Sebastian Wheldon, Jeshua Alianell, Caleb Gafrarar, and Jaxon Bellheats up. With just four races remaining in the 2023 season, the stakes will be high for the series’ visit to the iconic West Coast circuit. After sweeping both races in Sebring, Gafrarar vaulted himself into third in the standings with twelve points separating him from second place Alianell. They’re both chasing Wheldon who has not finished off the podium since sweeping the pair of races from Road America earlier in the summer. It’s that consistency that has left Wheldon twelve points clear of Alianell. The fresh surface at Laguna Seca will provide plenty of grip to the field of drivers, but the classic nature of the circuit means any mistake will be punished as limited runoff areas precede sand and gravel on the edges of the track. The already challenging circuit could be further complicated on Monday as the temperamental weather on California’s coast is predicted to bring rain into the area. Regardless of what the skies bring, the drivers are excited about what lies ahead at the legendary venue. “I’m looking forward to racing at my favorite track in the world, which also happens to be my home track,” Jaxon Bell said. “It’s a new surface which should make for a good time around the track in the Skip Barber Formula 4 car. I’m looking to get back on the top step of the podium and finish out 2023 strong,” Bell added. The California native, who now lives in Miami, is fourth in the championship standings, just one point shy of Gafrarar. While some drivers return to their home venues, others, including championship contender Jeshua Alianell will be seeing the track for the first time. “Laguna Seca is one of my favorite tracks that I haven’t driven on yet,” Alianell said. “I’m really looking forward to the new pavement and how it feels compared to the freshly paved Road America. The Championship points are very tight now and my main focus is to just take it one race at a time and push for a good result. This race week is definitely going to be very exciting!” The schedule for the week sees Monday as the host of both practices and a qualifying session in the afternoon. Tuesday, meanwhile, will see a pair of races with the grid for Race 2 being set by the order of fastest laps from Race 1. Results from all sessions will be available on the Skip Barber Racing School website. Following this week’s action at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, one event will remain in the 2023 Skip Barber Race Series, a pair of races at the renowned F1 Circuit of the Americas. Additionally, entries for the 2024 Skip Barber Formula Race Series are now open.