June 2012 Race Winner: #15-Clint Bowyer, 83.624mph, started 6th

Race Record: Clint Bowyer, June 2012, 83.624mph (current layout)

Race Record: Jeff Gordon, June 2000, 78.789mph (old layout)

Oldest Winner: Ricky Rudd, 45 years, 9 months, 11 days, 6/23/2002

Youngest Winner: Kyle Busch. 23 years, 1 months, and 20 days, 6/22/2008

June 2012 Pole Sitter: #9-Marcos Ambrose, 95.262mph, finished 8th

Track Qualifying Record: Rusty Wallace, June 2000, 99.309mph (old layout)

Track Qualifying Record: Marcos Ambrose, 6/22/2012, 95.262mph (current layout)

Oldest Pole Winner: Rusty Wallace, 43 years, 10 months, 11 days, 6/25/2000

Youngest Pole Winner: Joey Logano, 21 years, 1 month, 0 days, 6/24/2011

Worst Starting Spot to Win: Juan Pablo Montoya, started 32nd, 6/24/2007

Most Wins: 5 - Jeff Gordon

Most Poles: 5 - Jeff Gordon

Most Top 5s: 12 - Jeff Gordon

Most Top 10s: 16 - Jeff Gordon

Most Cautions: 9, 6/10/1990

Most Caution Laps: 26, 6/27/1999

Fewest Cautions: 2 - 6/24/2012

Fewest Caution Laps: 7 - 6/7/1992 and 6/24/2012

Most Laps Led: 92, Jeff Gordon, 6/27/2004

Most Laps Led by a Race Winner: 92, Jeff Gordon, 6/27/2004

Fewest Laps Led by a Race Winner: 2, Davey Allison, 6/9/1991

Most Lead Changes: 12 - two times. 6/20/2010 & 6/26/2011

Fewest Lead Changes: 3 - 6/11/1989

Most Leaders: 9, three times, most recently 6/26/2011

Fewest Leaders: 3, 6/11/1989

Most Finishers on a lead lap: 36, 6/21/2009

Most Running at the Finish: 42, 5/5/96 and 6/26/2005

Fewest Running at the Finish: 32 - 5/16/1993

Most Wins by Manufacturer: 10 - Chevy

Races won from the top 5: 14 of 24

Road Course Wins: All-Time
Driver, Wins
Jeff Gordon, 9*
Tony Stewart, 7*
Rusty Wallace, 6
Bobby Allison, 6
Richard Petty, 6
Ricky Rudd, 6
Darrell Waltrip, 5
Tim Richmond, 5
Dan Gurney, 5
David Pearson, 4
Mark Martin, 4*
Ernie Irvan, 3
Geoff Bodine, 3
Tim Flock, 3
Cale Yarborough, 3
* active
(6-30-2011)

Track Name: was know as Sears Point Raceway until June 22, 2002 when Infineon bought the track naming rights and changed it to Infineon Raceway.(6-22-2002)
AND as of June 1, 2012, is now known as Sonoma Raceway.(5-31-2012)

Great Clips Named Title Sponsor of NASCAR "Fast Friday" in Sonoma: Sonoma Raceway will kick off NASCAR's dynamic new two-day qualifying format with "Great Clips Fast Friday" at the 2013 Toyota/Save Mart 350 Sprint Cup Series event. Great Clips, the world's largest salon brand, will become title sponsor of this critical practice day on Friday, June 21, as NASCAR and the raceway unveil an exciting new NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying procedure for Northern California race fans. This final timed practice session on Great Clips Fast Friday will lock in groups for qualifying on Saturday morning. In addition to becoming title sponsor of Fast Friday, Great Clips continues as the Official Hair Salon of Sonoma Raceway for the second consecutive year. Great Clips will also set up a mobile salon at the raceway during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and IZOD IndyCar® Series event weekends. Stylists from local salons will give haircuts for a suggested donation of just $10, with proceeds benefiting Speedway Children's Charities, the charitable arm of Sonoma Raceway. The one-year agreement also includes hospitality, signage and other assets during race weekend. Great Clips will also receive the right to use the Sonoma Raceway name and logo for promotional purposes.(Sonoma Raceway)(5-21-2013)

NASCAR Express Offers Train to NASCAR in Sonoma: For the first time ever, Northern California NASCAR fans can get on board the NASCAR Express train service to the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Sonoma Raceway. The raceway has partnered with the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) to offer a first-of-its-kind express train that will transport fans directly from the Sacramento area to the raceway on race day, Sunday, June 23, 2013. The train will depart from Sacramento, with stops in Davis and Suisun City, and traverse some of Northern California's most spectacular scenery before dropping passengers just steps from the raceway's main entrance. The NASCAR Express offers fans a unique option to avoid highway traffic and parking hassles on race-day, and will feature two café cars with on board food and beverage service. The train is also a great option for small and large groups to enjoy the entire NASCAR race-day experience together. It's an easy one-stop shop to purchase your race-day ticket and NASCAR Express pass. The $199 premium package includes: A reserved-seat in the Main Grandstand, Round-trip travel from Sacramento, Davis or Suisun, VIP main-gate entry, On-track access to driver introduction and pre-race ceremonies, and a Special T-shirt.(Sonoma)(4-26-2013)

New NASCAR Sprint Cup Road-Course Qualifying Procedure Announced: NASCAR announced that the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will implement the group-based road course qualifying procedure used in NASCAR Nationwide and NASCAR Touring Series competition during its road-course events at Sonoma Raceway and Watkins Glen International. Under the new procedure, cars will qualify in groups instead of the traditional single-car qualifying runs held on oval race tracks. "The change will add an exciting element to road-course qualifying," said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition. "Fans will be treated to new strategy and increased competition with several cars on track at once."
The new qualifying rules for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at road courses are as follows:
· Cars attempting to qualify will be divided into groups. The number of groups, and amount of cars in each, will depend on the number of cars that practice for the event.
· Group assignments will be based on final practice times.
· Each qualifying group will be on-track for a set period of time, determined by the Series Director.
· A car's best lap time during the group session will be the qualifying lap time of record.
· A group's time begins when the first car receives the green flag at the start/finish line.
"This is going to be a terrific new format for our NASCAR weekend," said Steve Page, president and general manager of Sonoma Raceway. "It will intensify the action, with multiple cars on the track at the same time. It's a very positive development for our fans."
"The new format of qualifying at Watkins Glen International enhances the fan experience which is our top priority," said Michael Printup, president of Watkins Glen. "Qualifying on Saturday for our Cheez-ItTM 355 at The Glen is even more of a not-to-be missed aspect of a weekend of high-quality racing."
The new format will debut with the Toyota Save-Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 23 and will return at Watkins Glen for the Cheez-It 355 at the Glen on August 11.(NASCAR)(4-22-2013)

Darrell Waltrip Named Grand Marshal of Toyota/Save Mart 350: Legendary driver Darrell Waltrip, a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, has been named Grand Marshal of the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend at Sonoma Raceway, June 21-23. The event marks the series' 25th annual event in Sonoma. Waltrip will be honored on Friday, June 21, of race weekend at the Children's Champions Grand Marshal's Banquet at beautiful Cline Cellars in Sonoma. The gala is a fundraiser for the Sonoma Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities. He will also take part in pre-race activities on Sunday, June 23, and participate in the official command of, "Gentlemen, Start Your Engines." Waltrip, who currently serves as the lead analyst for NASCAR on FOX, is a three-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion with 84 Cup Series victories, tying him for third with Bobby Allison on all-time list. He is the winner of the 1989 Daytona 500 and the only five-time winner of the Coca-Cola 600 (1978, '79, '85, '88 and '89) at Charlotte Motor Speedway. "I am honored to have my name associated with Sonoma Raceway," said Waltrip, who was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2005. "I've always loved road racing both as an active driver and as a broadcaster. Sonoma is such an historic race track that when we got to go there with stock cars 25 years ago, it was magical. It's a great race track in the beautiful Northern California wine country."
"Darrell is not only one of the greatest drivers in the history of our sport, but also one of the most popular personalities. He'll be a terrific addition as we celebrate the 25th running of NASCAR in Sonoma," said Steve Page, president and general manager of Sonoma Raceway. "He's been a welcome guest in America's living rooms during the NASCAR broadcasts and we will be honored to have him as our guest and Grand Marshal in June." Great ticket options are still available for the 25th Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend in Sonoma, including the Silver Celebration Special, which includes a $25 savings and limited-edition die-cast car. Visit www.racesonoma.com/nascar or call 800-870-RACE for details.(Sonoma)(4-19-2013)

NASCAR Weekend in Sonoma Features Silver Celebration: It seems like just yesterday Ricky Rudd and Rusty Wallace were swapping paint along the hillside at Turn 7 at the inaugural NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in Sonoma in 1989. Rudd survived the battle and took the checkers by just .05 seconds over Wallace in what is still the closest margin of victory for a NASCAR Cup race at Sonoma Raceway. That race included legends like Dale Earnhardt, Bill Elliott and Richard Petty, among others. Fast-forward to 2013 and stock-car racing is alive and well in Northern California as Sonoma Raceway celebrates the 25th running of the Toyota/Save Mart 350, June 21-23.
The raceway has plenty in store for race fans in honor of this very special weekend, including: Silver Celebration Ticket, Silver Celebration Q&A, Historic Stock Car Display, Web-site special photo galleries and commentary, Social Media contests & special driver ticket giveaways and Bring on the Jets a very special 25-minute jet show on Sunday, June 23, by the Patriots Jet Team. This special weekend can mean only one thing: tickets will go fast. Act today by calling the raceway at 800-870-RACE (7223) or visit racesonoma.com/nascar for the latest information regarding the Silver Celebration of NASCAR in Sonoma.(Somona Raceway)(3-26-2013)

Sad News - John Cardinale: Sonoma Raceway vice president for media and community relations John Cardinale, 47, lost his battle with stomach cancer this week.(SPEED & The Spectrum)
AND from Sonoma Raceway "We are saddened to share that we have lost our dear friend and colleague, John Cardinale. He passed away at home with his family after a two-year battle with gastric cancer. John was 47 years old and is survived by his wife, Andrea, and their two daughters. For those who would like to make a donation in John's honor, a memorial fund has been set up on behalf of his family. Donations may be sent to the John Cardinale Memorial Fund, care of Sonoma Raceway, 29355 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, CA 95476. We will share information on services and other arrangements as they become available."
Thoughts from Steve Page, president & general manager of Sonoma Raceway: "There is a hole in the heart of this organization. John Cardinale was as true a friend, as loyal a colleague, as devoted a husband and father and as fine a human being as you could ever hope to know. John has been a part of every good thing that has happened at this track over the last 15 years. We are all so fortunate to have had him in our lives and to have shared in his intelligence, his wit, his integrity and his brave spirit."(Sonoma Raceway).(3-22-2013)

Sonoma Raceway Opens Ticket Windows for 2013 Season: The wait is finally over for anxious race fans as Sonoma Raceway has officially opened its ticket windows for the 2013 motor-racing season. Tickets are now on sale for all major events on the 2013 calendar, including the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (June 21-23); NHRA Sonoma Nationals (July 26-28); GoPro Indy® Grand Prix of Sonoma (Aug. 23-25); and the FIA World Touring Car Championship (Sept. 7-8). The 2013 calendar will also include the Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival (May 18-19); NHRA Division 7 Drag Races, presented by Korbel (July 19-21); and the Classic Sports Racing Group Charity Challenge (Oct. 5-6). This year's Historics race weekend will be highlighted by the 60th anniversary of the Corvette. Fans can purchase individual or weekend tickets as well as special ticket packages for all 2013 major events by calling 800-870-RACE (7223), visiting an account representative at the raceway or by purchasing tickets online at racesonoma.com/tickets. Camping is also available for all major events.(Sonoma Raceway)(1-18-2013)

Gary Phillips Named VP of Marketing at Sonoma Raceway: Gary Phillips, who has led the ticket sales operation at Sonoma Raceway for 10 years, has been named the raceway's Vice President of Marketing. Phillips will oversee all marketing and advertising for the raceway's major events, including NASCAR, INDYCAR and NHRA drag races, as well as other strategic initiatives for building company revenue. Phillips is a 1993 graduate from UC Davis. He lives in Walnut Creek in the East Bay with his wife Kristen, and their three children.(Sonoma Raceway)(1-12-2013)

Children Attend Race to the Holidays Christmas Party at Sonoma: More than 500 people enjoyed a day of holiday cheer at Sonoma Raceway on Saturday at the 8th annual Race to the Holidays Christmas Party. The raceway hosted more than 230 Sonoma Valley children and their families at the event, which featured caroling, refreshments, a car display, balloon animals and a visit from Santa Claus, who arrived via special transportation on a Schell-Vista Fire Department fire truck. The event, which has attracted more than 1,800 children since its inception in 2005, culminated with Santa Claus presenting each child with a bag full of toys. Children ranged in age from newborn to 12-years-old.
"I had so much fun today," said Sonoma's Angeles Qunitero, six years old. "My favorite part was getting a gift, getting a stuffed animal and seeing Santa." The festive event was held under cloudy skies, but all of the children left the raceway with new toys and wide smiles. Following the toy distribution, everyone was treated to a free lunch at the Raceway Café. "This is a great opportunity for these families, some of whom cannot afford gifts this year," said Maria Calvillo, receptionist and client resource assistant at La Luz Center in Sonoma. "It's been a really tough year for some of them, so this means a lot." All children who attended the party were pre-registered through six Sonoma Valley youth groups, including: Friends in Sonoma Helping; La Luz Center; Sonoma Valley High School Teen Parent Program; Valley of the Moon Boys and Girls Club; Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance; and the WillMar Family Grief and Healing Center.
The raceway received a generous outpouring of support from the community as more than 700 toys were donated for the party. Some of the drop-off locations included: Sonoma Valley Index Tribune; Sonoma Valley Sun; Gundlach-Bundschu Winery; Schell-Vista Fire Department; Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce; the Sonoma Valley Fire Department; and Redwood Credit Union. The raceway also received toy donations from United Site Services and the Sonoma Valley Mother's Club, as well as toothbrushes and toothpaste for each child from the American Red Cross.(Sonoma Raceway)(12-16-2012)

Sonoma Raceway Food Drive Nets more than 9,000 Pounds: Sonoma Raceway distributed more than 9,000 pounds of non-perishable food items to Friends in Sonoma Helping (FISH) and the San Francisco and Marin Food Banks on Monday following the raceway's 12th annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. In total, the raceway distributed 9,249 pounds of food, bringing the 12-year total to more than 46,700 pounds of non-perishable food items delivered to area food banks.(Sonoma Raceway)(11-20-2012)

Sonoma and NASCAR Plant 58 Trees: Four Vacaville public schools will be a bit more "green," thanks to the raceway in Sonoma and NASCAR. Fifty-eight trees were donated to the Vacaville Unified School District through "NASCAR Green Clean Air"  an initiative that neutralizes all the carbon produced by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events. The trees will be distributed between Markham Elementary School, Orchard Elementary School, Browns Valley Elementary School and Vacaville High School. A ceremonial planting of three live trees was held on Friday at Markham Elementary School, and was attended by Vacaville Unified School District Superintendent John Niederkorn, Markham Elementary School Principal Manolo Garcia, Buckeye Nursery's Kim Bertotti, raceway representatives and several students. The raceway, which hosts an annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event each June, has participated in NASCAR's Green Clean Air program since 2009. The initiative plants trees for every green flag waved during a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event. There were three green flags at the Toyota/Save Mart 350 in Sonoma last June, so 58 trees (30 western arborvitae, 20 pear trees and eight California redwoods) are being planted at the Vacaville Schools. Past beneficiaries of this program have included Roseland Creek Elementary in Santa Rosa, City Park in Vallejo and Petaluma Junior High School. NASCAR purchased the trees from Buckeye Nursery, a Women's Business Enterprise National Council-certified business in Petaluma.(Sonoma)(10-15-2012)

Sonoma Recycles Nearly 11,000 Pounds of Materials: The raceway in Sonoma has reaffirmed its position as an industry leader in recycling, collecting nearly 11,000 pounds of materials during the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event, June 22-24. The raceway partnered with the Conservation Corps North Bay to collect more than five tons of material throughout the race weekend, including aluminum, glass, plastic and mixed material. The raceway has collected more than 272 tons of materials (545,745 pounds) since the inception of its recycling program in 2004. In addition, the raceway partners with NASCAR on the Green Clean Air program, which is designed to help capture the carbon emissions produced by racing. NASCAR will donate a minimum of 50 trees following this year's Toyota/Save Mart 350 event. More info at acceleratingsustainableperformance.com.(Sonoma)(7-31-2012)

More than $140,000 raised for youth groups during Sonoma race weekend Charitable events combined to raise more than $140,000 for Sonoma County youth groups during the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend at the raceway in Sonoma, June 22-24. Most of the proceeds will benefit the Sonoma Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities, the charitable arm of the raceway, which has distributed more than $4.1 million to qualified youth groups in Sonoma County since 2001. The Children's Champions Grand Marshal's Banquet generated $100,000, while the 10th annual eBay Motors Charity Auction, which was hosted in the Wine Country Winner's Circle on NASCAR Sunday, raised more than $30,000. More than $14,000 was also generated through various donations throughout the weekend, including $5,000 garnered from Great Clips haircuts for charity and a $5,000 donation on behalf of the Transporter Drivers of Motorsports Association (TDMA), who participated in the 2nd annual NASCAR Hauler Parade in Sacramento on June 21. The top-selling item at the eBay Motors Charity Auction was a signed helmet by several NASCAR drivers, which netted $4,500. Other top selling items included a Jeff Gordon Ride of a Lifetime experience ($3,200) and a Kevin Harvick-signed Budweiser helmet and case ($1,700).(Sonoma PR)(7-3-2012)

NASCAR Legends to be honored at Sonoma: Legendary drivers Donnie Allison and Marvin Panch will be featured throughout the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend, with a special autograph and question-and-answer session in the Wine Country Winner's Circle at 1:30 p.m., on Friday, and at the Club 7 trackside bar and lounge on Sunday morning. They will also be featured during pre-event ceremonies on Sunday.
Allison, 72, raced in an era which featured him, his brother (Bobby) and Red Farmer as the "Alabama Gang," which started out riding into short tracks and shooting down the competition. They also ran with Richard Petty, David Pearson, Cale Yarborough and others on the superspeedways.
Panch, 86, a Wisconsin native who also lived in Oakland for a while, had 17 wins, 21 poles, and 96 top-five finishes in 216 starts and was voted as one of NASCAR's 50 greatest drivers. He entered the scene in the early era as NASCAR was just getting started, running against familiar historical figures like Fireball Roberts, Junior Johnson, Joe Weatherly and Curtis Turner. The raceway began its NASCAR Legends program with Bobby Allison and Ned Jarrett in 2011.(Sonoma Magazine)(6-22-2012)

Bay Area Jet Team, Tony La Russa Highlight Festivities at Sonoma: Race fans will be treated to the best air show on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series circuit, as well as one of the greatest managers in Major League Baseball history at the Toyota/Save Mart 350 on Sunday, June 24. The Patriots Jet Team, the nation's only civilian aerobatic jet team, will highlight the festivities for a seventh consecutive year with gloss black Aero L-39 Albatros jets and signature red, white and blue smoke trails. The Patriots, based in Bryon in East Contra Costa County, will utilize six of these jets in the show on Sunday of NASCAR weekend. You can catch their electrifying 25-minute show in the skies above the raceway at 10:50 am/pt. Tony La Russa will serve as Grand Marshal of the Toyota/Save Mart 350 and help give the command of, "Drivers Start Your Engines." La Russa will be honored on Friday night of race weekend at the Children's Champions Grand Marshal's Banquet at beautiful Cline Cellars in Sonoma. The gala is a fundraiser for the Sonoma Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities. Race fans will also be treated to a performance of the National Anthem by the University of California Marching Band, plus rides on a 70-foot ferris wheel, an expansive vendor midway, Q&A sessions with NASCAR legends Donnie Allison and Marvin Panch and more during race weekend. Tickets are available for the races for $25-$130 single day/$99-$180 weekend; parking is free. Discounts for military. Information at 800-870-RACE (7223) and racesonoma.com/nascar.(Sonoma)(6-20-2012)

NASCAR Hauler Parade in Sacramento, June 21: More than 50 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series haulers will rumble through the streets of Sacramento at the 2nd NASCAR Hauler Parade, June 21. The NASCAR haulers, which will be en route to Sonoma for the Toyota Save Mart 350, June 22-24, will make their way over the Tower Bridge and around the State Capitol to greet Northern California NASCAR fans ready for big race in Sonoma. The parade will begin promptly at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 21. More info, route list and map at racesonoma.com.(6-18-2012)

Gourmet Food Trucks Join Line Up at Sonoma: The latest food craze is coming to Sonoma, and race fans will have a chance to enjoy the bounty during the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event weekend, June 22-24. The raceway, along with on-site caterer Levy Restaurants, will host more than 15 Bay Area gourmet food trucks during race weekend, giving fans a chance to sample a variety of local cuisine while enjoying the races. It will be the largest gathering of food trucks ever hosted at a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event. The Mobile Gourmet (the-mobile-gourmet.com) has worked with the raceway to gather the best gourmet food trucks in the Bay Area for an outdoor bistro-style atmosphere suited for race fans, foodies and food-truck gurus alike. During race weekend, the food trucks will line the hillside above Turn 9 of the road course, making it the perfect pit stop to sample everything from wood-fired pizza to ice cream to hand-rolled sushi. For more information or to purchase tickets for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend in Sonoma, visit racesonoma.com or call (800) 870-RACE (7223).(Sonoma)(6-18-2012)

Tony La Russa named Grand Marshal of Toyota/Save Mart 350: Tony La Russa, one of the greatest managers in the history of Major League Baseball, has been named Grand Marshal of the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend at Infineon Raceway, June 22-24. La Russa will be honored on Friday, June 22, of race weekend at the Children's Champions Grand Marshal's Banquet at beautiful Cline Cellars in Sonoma. The gala is a fundraiser for the Sonoma Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities. He will also take part in pre-race activities on Sunday, June 24, and participate in the official command of, "Gentlemen, Start Your Engines." La Russa, who still calls the Bay Area home, posted three World Series victories during his 33-year managerial career, one coming with the Oakland Athletics (1989) and two with the St. Louis Cardinals, most recently in 2011. His other world championship with the Cardinals came in 2006. He retired after the 2011 season.(Sonoma Raceway)(5-10-2012)

Infineon Raceway and NASCAR Plant 77 Trees at a school: Roseland Creek Elementary School will be a little more "green", thanks to both Infineon Raceway and NASCAR. The North Bay school, which is currently under construction and slated to open for the 2013 school year, received a donation of 77 trees through "NASCAR Green Clean Air"  an initiative that neutralizes all the carbon produced by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events. A ceremonial planting of three live oak trees was held on Friday at the future site of Roseland Creek Elementary School and attended by Santa Rosa Mayor Ernesto Olivares, Roseland Creek Elementary School Principal, William Nilsen, Superintendant of Roseland Public Schools, Gail Ahlas, representatives from Infineon Raceway and several future elementary school students. Infineon Raceway, which hosts an annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event each June, has participated in NASCAR's Green Clean Air program since 2009. The initiative plants trees for every green flag waved during a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event. There were six green flags at the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway last June, so 77 trees (31 live oak and 46 maple) are being planted at Roseland Creek Elementary School.
NASCAR purchased the trees from Buckeye Nursery, a Women's Business Enterprise National Council-certified business in Petaluma. The program dovetails well with Infineon Raceway's Accelerating Sustainable Performance program, which includes an annual summit of sustainability industry leaders, a major solar installation, comprehensive recycling program, water conservation efforts and the use of sheep to maintain the grasses and fire lanes around the raceway, among others.(Infineon Raceway)(4-23-2012)

Infineon Raceway Breaks Guinness World Records Record: More than 70 cars convened at Infineon Raceway on Tuesday to break the Guinness World Records Record for Most Cars Performing Donuts Simultaneously. Seventy-five cars performed simultaneous donuts for more than 15 seconds, breaking the previous world record of 57 cars, which was set in Queensland, Australia, in 2010. Evidence of the claim was documented and will be sent to Guinness World Records for final verification. The cars were piloted by drifters from across Northern California who participate in the raceway's weekly Sonoma Drift powered by NOS program. The program, which is in its second consecutive year, provides drifters a safe, legal and controlled environment in which to hone their skills.(Infineon Raceway)(3-24-2012)

Infineon dropping naming-rights deal with Sonoma: For the second time in recent years, a Speedway Motorsports Inc. facility has lost its naming-rights sponsorship. On Tuesday, it was reported that Infineon Technologies is pulling its name from the Sonoma, Calif., road course when its contract expires in May. The track was known as Sears Point Raceway until June 2002, then Infineon Raceway until this week. The 10-year deal was reportedly worth $34.4 million to SMI. Vice president for marketing and communications John Cardinale told the Sports Business Journal that the speedway has several companies interested in assuming the naming rights. "There are three or four companies we're talking to," he said. "I wouldn't say they're ready to sign, but they're certainly interested. After the 2009 NASCAR season, Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse Inc. chose not to renew its naming rights at what was known before--as it is now--as Charlotte Motor Speedway. The track had been called Lowe's Motor Speedway since the 1998 season. With Lowe's and Infineon pulling their naming rights, the only NASCAR track that still has a commercial sponsor is Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif.(Autoweek)(3-7-2012)

Daytona 500 winner to visit San Francisco: Race fans are invited to legendary Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco on Thursday, March 1, for a midday rally with the winner of the 2012 Daytona 500, #17-Matt Kenseth. The winner of the Great American Race will come to San Francisco for a fourth straight year to meet with race fans and take a San Francisco Victory Tour, courtesy of Infineon Raceway and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The appearance in San Francisco also marks the Official Countdown to the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend at Infineon Raceway, June 22-24.
The Victory Tour on March 1 will take place on a motorized vintage cable car and begin at Vista Point at the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge. The driver will enjoy:
- A scenic view from the North Vista Point before departing for a drive across the Golden Gate Bridge .
- A stop to crack Dungeness crab at legendary Fisherman's Grotto No. 9 at Fisherman's Wharf.
- A final stop at Ghirardelli Square and the chance to build a one-of-a-kind 'Sundae, Sundae, Sundae' at the Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop. The item will even qualify for a spot on the Ghirardelli Ice Cream Fountain menu.
Finally, the champion will take part in a press conference and fan rally that will be open to the public in the West Plaza at Ghirardelli Square. Race fans who purchase a Total Access Package to the Toyota/Save Mart 350 (June 24) prior to March 1 will receive access to a preferred section at the fan rally and may have the opportunity to ask the Daytona 500 winner a question. This is open to the first 50 fans who purchase the Total Access Package, which includes a Sunday reserved seat in the Turn 2 Earnhardt Terrace and a Pre-Race Pit & Track Pass for just $145. Call 800-870-RACE (7223) to speak with one of our race specialists to secure your NASCAR ticket, as well as preferred access to the fan rally with the Daytona 500 winner. The Victory Tour will begin at the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge (Vista Point) at approximately 10:45 a.m. (PT), and plans are to arrive at Ghirardelli Square at around 11:30 a.m. for the rally.(Infineon Raceway)(2-28-2012)

New Ticket Operations Manager named at Infineon Raceway: Michael Re has been named Ticket Operations Manager at Infineon Raceway, raceway officials announced. Re, who has more than 25 years of ticketing experience, will manage and oversee all aspects of ticket operations and services, including policies and procedures related to ticket sales, pricing and allocation. He will also coordinate accounting procedures on behalf of the ticketing department, oversee the maintenance of the ticketing system and will oversee customer service functions. Some of Re's most noted accomplishments include working as the Director of Ticket Operations for the Oakland A's during the 1987 All Star Game and 1989 World Series. Re currently resides in San Ramon.(Infineon Raceway)(2-11-2012)

Ultimate Access, Value with Track Pass for 2012 Race Season at Infineon Raceway: Race fans who have dreamed about taking a heart-pounding lap around the Infineon Raceway road course or getting a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the stars of NASCAR during the Toyota/Save Mart 350 can make those dreams a reality in 2012. If all-access and value is what you crave, then Infineon Raceway's 2012 Track Pass is the ticket package for you. You'll secure the best seats for all seven major events during the 2012 Big O Tires Racing Season, including NASCAR (June 22-24), NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing (July 27-29), IZOD IndyCar Series (Aug. 24-26), the U.S. debut of the FIA World Touring Car Championship (Sept. 21-23), motorcycles, historic car racing and more. The Track Pass is valued at more than $1,000, but the raceway is selling them for just $425. That's a savings of more than 50-percent.(Infineon Raceway)(1-23-2012)

Pollen promoted to Director of Marketing at Infineon Raceway: Rachal Pollen has been promoted to Director of Marketing at Infineon Raceway, raceway officials announced. In her new role, Pollen will help oversee the planning and execution of all marketing initiatives at the raceway, including the annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series and IZOD IndyCar Series race weekends. Pollen, 31, has been employed at Infineon Raceway since 1999, serving as Senior Manager of Marketing since 2006.(Infineon Raceway)(1-21-2012)

Brennan named Director of Media Relations at Infineon: Diana Brennan has been promoted to Director of Media and Community Relations at Infineon Raceway, raceway officials announced. In her new role, Brennan will help oversee the planning and execution of all media and community relations events at the raceway, including the annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series and IZOD IndyCar Series race weekends. Brennan, 32, has been employed at Infineon Raceway since 1999, serving as Senior Manager of Media and Community Relations since 2006.(Infineon Raceway)(1-13-2012)