Pro Mazda: Points leader Urrutia to honor Gonzalo Rodriguez in Monterey

Santiago Urrutia was barely out of diapers when Gonzalo Rodriguez (LEFT, LAT photo) was killed during CART IndyCar practice at Laguna Seca on Sept. 11, 1999. Rodriguez was riding a wave of momentum after winning races in the European F3000 series, and at 28 years old, the Uruguayan was making the most of an opportunity to close the CART season with Roger Penske.

As one might expect, Rodriguez's death overshadowed the rest of the weekend in Monterey, and as the only Uruguayan racing driver of note competing on an international stage, his loss was deeply felt throughout the small South American country.

He couldn't have known it at the time, but "Gonchi" would become a major inspiration for future generations, and in the case of Urrutia, the Pro Mazda championship leader says he can't wait to honor Rodriguez in a very special way this weekend.

This Friday, Sept. 11, marks 16 years since Gonchi's fatal crash, and his young countryman will wear a custom helmet that blends Rodriguez's livery with his own.

"Gonzalo was a very special person for all Uruguayan people; for motor sport, but not only for this because he was the only driver to race in IndyCar, in Europe, winning in many places, and gives many people great motivation in their careers," Urrutia told RACER.

"What I'm doing for this weekend is because I will get to drive on September 11, the same day he died, and this is to honor him, to say thank you to his family, and to the world he opened for Uruguayan athletes."

After the weekend of title-deciding Mazda Road To Indy races have been completed, Urrutia will give his helmet to the Rodriguez family.

"When we are done, I will give my helmet to Gonzalo's sister, Nani Rodriguez (pictured, TOP, with Urrutia and the tribute helmet), and this is very special and emotional for me," he said. "I want to win this championship for them."

Urrutia says he hopes to follow in Gonchi's footsteps by turning his strong season in Pro Mazda with Team Pelfrey into a future opportunity to become the next Uruguayan IndyCar driver.

"This has been an unbelievable season," said the 19-year-old. "I only decided to race Pro Mazda two weeks before the season started, and it would be very good for me to win the championship and then I can take the [Mazda] scholarship to race in Indy Lights. I will need more sponsorship to go to Indy Lights, but I want to win so I can continue. It was a very black day when Gonzalo died here at Laguna Seca, and now we are here in a very good way to win the championship."