Fans Can Join Infineon Raceway in Giving Back to the Community

Since 1998, Infineon Raceway has made significant donations to needy youth organizations in the Sonoma Valley with the help of generous contributions from fans and sponsors.  Speedway Children’s Charities, the raceway’s non-profit charitable arm, has been able to award more than $450,000 to Sonoma Valley youth organizations over the past two years.

With plans under way for 2004, Infineon Raceway looks to host an increased number of charity events and raise a record donation to be distributed to youth programs.  Ten fund-raising events are scheduled for 2004, which doubles the number of events held last season.  Events for 2004 will include the NHRA Tour de Charity, auctions at the NASCAR, NHRA, AMA and ALMS events, the NASCAR Grand Marshall’s Banquet, the Vintage Race Car Festival and the return of Dancin’ & Draggin’.  All funds from these events go to Speedway Children’s Charities.

For more information on Speedway Children’s Charities, be sure to visit www.infineonraceway.com or www.speedwaycharities.org or call 800-870-RACE, ext. 150.

BREAK OUT BOXES

NHRA Tour de Charity

The NHRA Tour de Charity returns for a second year and offers fans a chance to compete against some of the top stars from the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.  The event will offer two full days of karting action at the 16-turn, three-quarter mile Infineon Raceway Karting Center.  For just $350, fans will compete for one day in race-prepared karts, enjoy a catered lunch and a chance to hang out with the drivers.  Last year’s NHRA participants included Gary Scelzi, Tony Pedregon, Cruz Pedregon, Ron Capps and David Baca.

AMA Charity Auction

The AMA Charity Auction will feature one-of-a-kind signed items from the top riders on the Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship series.  Fans will have a chance to bid on the items during a silent auction on Saturday, May 1, of the AMA Supercuts Superbike doubleheader event at Infineon Raceway. 

Vintage Race Car Festival & Food and Wine Pavilion

The 2004 Wine Country Classic Vintage Car Races, June 5-6, offer two ways to enjoy the classic cars and donate money to Speedway Children’s Charities.  During the event, fans can enjoy the Wine Country Living Food & Wine Pavilion, featuring food and wine samples from many Bay Area purveyors.  Following Saturday’s on-track activities, everyone is invited to the Sonoma Plaza for the Vintage Race Car Festival, which features a display of vehicles as well as food and wine samples from the Sonoma Valley.  Proceeds from admission to both events benefit Sonoma Valley youth organizations.

NASCAR Grand Marshall’s Banquet

The Grand Marshall’s Banquet takes place following Friday’s NASCAR pole day at Infineon Raceway.  This fun event features a sit-down dinner, followed by a brief program that includes NASCAR Winston Cup drivers, and dancing.  Grand Marshalls for the 2004 Dodge/Save Mart 350 will be the Smothers Brothers. 

NASCAR Charity Auction

This dynamic live and silent auction will feature exclusive memorabilia from many of the stars on the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series.  Unique items, including signed racing shoes, signed sheet metal and signed lithographs were included in last year’s auction, which raised more than $51,000.  NASCAR fans will want to take advantage of this chance to add to their racing collectibles.  The auction will be held on Saturday, June 26, of the NASCAR weekend.

ALMS Charity Auction

American Le Mans Series fans will have a chance to bid on signed items from some of the top names in sports car racing on Saturday, July 17.  The silent auction will accompany the fastest cars to take to the Infineon Raceway road course and is sure to offer some incredible items.

NHRA Charity Auction

The NHRA Charity Auction returns for a second year with signed memorabilia from the quickest drivers in motorsports.  Featuring a wide variety of items, including framed crew shirts, signed pistons and one-off photo prints, there’s sure to be something for every drag racing fan.  The silent auction will be held during the NHRA FRAM Autolite Nationals on Sunday, Aug. 1. 

Dancin’ & Draggin’

Dancin’ & Draggin’, a 1950s-themed sock hop and drag race party, that features Mel’s drive-in style cuisine and a rock-and-roll dance party with live music, returns to Infineon Raceway on Sept. 18.  On track, fans will see everything from school busses to Rolls Royces and police squad cars, and every ticket buyer stands a chance of being selected to burn rubber themselves.  All funds raised through this nostalgic event will be donated to the Sonoma Valley Public Schools.  This event raised more than $133,000 when it was last held in 2002.