SONOMA, California– There will be plenty for race fans to enjoy during race week and race weekend of the FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals. From pre-event parties to an ice cream social, there is sure to be something for everyone, including several tributes to the late Eric Medlen. The race weekend is set for July 25-27 at Infineon Raceway.
ERIC MEDLEN TRIBUTES
Eric Medlen Nitro Night at the Fior – Thursday, July 24
The 2nd annual Eric Medlen Nitro Night at the Fior Charity Dinner will be held on Thursday, July 24, at the Fior d'Italia Restaurant (www.fior.com) in San Francisco. A number of NHRA drivers will be in attendance, including Funny Car drivers Robert Hight, Ashley Force, Ron Capps and Jack Beckman. The evening will feature a no-host cocktail hour, a four-course dinner and full program. All proceeds from the event will be donated to Speedway Children’s Charities, the charitable arm of Infineon Raceway. This event is sold out, but if you would like to make a contribution to the charity, contact Denise Silver at 707-933-3950 or email at dsilver@infineonraceway.com.
Eric Medlen Ice Cream Social – Sunday, July 27
Medlen was a lover of ice cream and to honor his memory, Infineon Raceway will host the 2nd annual Eric Medlen Ice Cream Social following final eliminations on Sunday. All ice cream is being supplied by Dreyer’ s Ice Cream. Race fans are invited onto the Infineon Raceway racing surface to take part in the Ice Cream Social and celebrate the life of Medlen. Race fans are also encouraged to make donations to the Infineon Raceway Eric Medlen Scholarship Fund. The scholarship will be awarded annually to an Infineon Raceway high school bracket drag racer. Last year’s event generated $4,543 in donations; the raceway matched it and a scholarship of $9,086 was presented to high school racer Daniel McClelland from Santa Rosa.
OTHER EVENTS
NHRA Burnout Bash – Wednesday, July 23
Race fans will get the opportunity to meet top NHRA drivers Cory McClenathan, Rod Fuller, Jack Beckman and J.R. Todd at the 2nd annual Burnout Bash Party on Wednesday, July 23, at the legendary Fior d'Italia Restaurant in San Francisco. Burnout Bash is the official fan kickoff party for the FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals and drivers will be on-hand for a wonderful four-course Italian dinner, as well as a driver question-and-answer session, autograph session and more. There will also be a River Rock Charity Poker Tournament to kick things off at 5:30 p.m. with the drivers, as well as the popular morning show duo of Lamont & Tonelli from 107.7 FM The Bone. Call 800-870-RACE for tickets.
Thunder Alley – All Weekend
Thunder Alley is the closest you can get to the ground-pounding action on-track. Located just below the main grandstand and parallel to the drag strip, this area provides a race-watching experience with nothing between you and the sheer power of the quickest-accelerating machines on the planet. Tickets for Thunder Alley are just $10 for a daily pass or $30 for a weekend pass, with a paid admission ticket, and are available for purchase next to the Wine Country Winner's Circle at the entrance to Thunder Alley.
Track Talk – Friday and Saturday
Race fans are invited to the Wine Country Winner’s Circle during the race weekend for intimate question-and-answer sessions with top NHRA drivers. Sessions will be held on Friday at noon and 1 p.m. and Saturday at 1:20 p.m. Drivers slated to attend the sessions include Funny Car drivers Gary Scelzi, Ron Capps, Jerry Toliver and Jack Beckman, as well as Top Fuel driver Doug Herbert and Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Steve Johnson.
NHRA Driver Autograph Sessions – Saturday, July 26
Fans will have a chance to meet many of the stars from the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series at driver autograph sessions. Expect a contingent of Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock drivers, as well as Pro Stock Motorcycle riders. Sessions will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. (Pro Stock, Pro Stock Motorcycle) and 1:45 p.m. (Top Fuel, Funny Car).
Wall of Fame Ceremony – Sunday Top Fuel driver Doug Kalitta, a five-time winner in Sonoma, will be inducted into the Infineon Raceway Wall of Fame on Sunday, July 27, during pre-event ceremonies. NHRA drivers previously inducted into the Wall of Fame are: Gary Scelzi (2007), John Force (2006) and Warren Johnson (2005).
Live Music by the Unauthorized Rolling Stones – Sunday
Former San Francisco mayor Willie Brown has been quoted as saying, “I love the Unauthorized Rolling Stones.” You can catch this tremendous act behind the main grandstand on Sunday. It’s the next best thing to standing alongside Mick Jagger.
AAA Designated Driver Program – Sunday Come by the AAA Designated Driver Program booth to become a designated driver for your group. Just fill out a pledge card - under the direction of the AAA- and receive a free bottle of smartwater, which is also a sponsor of the program.
Speedway Children's Charities Booth – Sunday Visit the Speedway Children's Charities booth to learn more about the charitable arm of Infineon Raceway. Speedway Children's Charities is dedicated to raising money for needy youth organizations in Sonoma County, and has distributed more than $2.6 million since 2002.
Raceway Celebrates Anniversary with Commemorative Wine Set
Infineon Raceway celebrates its 40th anniversary during the 2008 motor-racing season, and you’re invited to taste a little bit of the history. The raceway is offering a limited-edition wine set that commemorates the past 40 years of racing in the Sonoma Valley, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Speedway Children’s Charities, the charitable arm of Infineon Raceway. You can order your commemorative set by visiting www.highway12winery.com/anniversaryrelease.
###
FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals
WHAT: FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals
WHEN: July 25-27
CIRCUIT: Drag strip
2007 TOP QUALIFIERS: Doug Herbert (Top Fuel); Mike Ashley (Funny Car); Greg Anderson (Pro Stock); Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle)
2007 WINNERS: Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); John Force (Funny Car); Greg Anderson (Pro Stock); Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle)
TICKETS: $50-$60 single day/$135 weekend; parking is FREE
MORE INFORMATION: 800-870-RACE, www.infineonraceway.com or www.ticketmaster.com
Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown, presented by Supercuts
May 16-18
Wine Country Classic vintage car races
May 31-June 1
Toyota/Save Mart 350
NASCAR Weekend
June 20-22
FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals
July 25-27
NHRA Division 7 drag races, presented by Korbel
Aug. 1-3
Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma County
Aug. 22-24
PINKS All Out drag racing
Sept. 5-6
