Steve Page Sonoma Raceway’s president and general manager introduced 2016 Wall of Fame Honorees Ernie Irvan and Tony Stewart before a crowd of vocal and enthusiastic fans and media. Page said, the Wall of Fame was started ‘a decade ago as a way to honor the legacy and thank those’ who have contributed to the history of the circuit. Both drivers are two-time winners here. Page called the 1992 race, in which Irvan from the back of the grid ‘one of the most remarkable races’ he’d ever seen. When asked about his part in the fast growth of NASCAR in the 1990s, Irvan said, ‘I’m just one part of it. Richard Petty, Cale Yarborough and others ‘ set the stage for the explosive growth the sport experienced. Stewart thanked Page with mixed emotions, ‘I’ve always looked forward to coming here,’ noting he marked the date in his calendar. And now looking ahead to last race, at the Sprint Cup level, he felt a bit sentimental. That said, Stewart who will retire from his ride at the team he co-owns with Gene Haas stressed that this was his last year in driving in Sprint Cup but not as a driver in other series, ‘I can’t wait to start the second part of my career.’(Sonoma Raceway)
