Long- time Sonoma Raceway spokesman John Cardinale will be inducted into the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame later this month. Cardinale and five other honorees will be inducted during a gala event at the Meritage Resort in Napa on Thursday, June 25, in conjunction with the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR weekend at Sonoma Raceway, June 26-28. Cardinale, who passed away from gastric cancer in 2013, joined the raceway in 1998 and quickly established himself as one of the most respected representatives within the motorsports industry. He was promoted to Vice President of Media and Community Relations in 2003 and was well known for creative media stunts, including driver ride-alongs with the California Highway Patrol and driving race cars across the Golden Gate Bridge. Cardinale also bolstered the raceway’s community profile through community events, including food drives, blood drives and holiday parties for families in need. He also served as Vice President of Communications & Marketing from 2007-2012. Cardinale was frequently recognized for his efforts, including being named NASCAR Track PR Representative of the Year in 2009, and posthumously receiving the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Spirit Award in May 2013. Joining Cardinale in the 2015 West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame class are a NASCAR driver, two crew chiefs and two team owners: Jerry Baxter is a crew chief at Kyle Busch Motorsports; late NASCAR driver Jason Leffler; late team owner Warren Razore; former Dale Earnhardt crew chief Doug Richert and team owner and race promoter Jim Williams. The West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame, which inducted its inaugural class in 2002, was founded in 2001. It memorializes significant contributors to the sport’s development and history – including designers, engineers, mechanics, drivers, racetrack owners, promoters, publicists and members of the motorsports media.(Sonoma Raceway)(6-10-2015)
