SONOMA, California — Infineon Raceway received a special delivery on Wednesday, thanks to UPS and the United States Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco, the “Guardians of the Golden Gate.”
"What better hands to place the trophy in than the U.S. Coast Guard?"— David Ragan, driver of the No. 6 UPS Ford
The Coast Guard arranged for safe delivery of the winner’s trophy for this weekend’s Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. A Coast Guard MH65C Dolphin helicopter, departing from an unknown location in the Bay Area, landed on the road course on Turn 11 with the trophy safely stored.
From there, two raceway handlers, dressed in black suits and wearing white gloves, and David Ragan, driver of the No. 6 UPS Ford, carried the trophy to an awaiting UPS Truck. The truck then drove to the Wine Country Winner’s Circle, where the two handlers and Ragan safely placed the trophy on a wine barrel after walking a red carpet.
Mission accomplished.
“What better hands to place the trophy in than the U.S. Coast Guard?” said Ragan, who took a ceremonial ride in the UPS Truck around the road course with the trophy. “It was pretty cool watching the helicopter land on the road course at Turn 11 and then taking the trophy to the winner’s circle. This is the closest I’ve ever been to a winner’s trophy before the race.”
"The crewman who hand-carried the trophy from the MH65C Dolphin was Petty Officer Second Class Bryan Patrick - a hardcore race fan,” said Sam Creech, Commanding Officer, Coast Guard Station, San Francisco. “When he is not flying on rescue missions or serving as a counter-terrorism precision aerial marksman/sharpshooter, he is a helicopter mechanic, responsible for tuning the Dolphin's dual 1300 shaft horsepower engines - delivering the trophy was a truly a special treat for him today."
The Coast Guard will return on Sunday as part of the ceremonial fly-by moments before the green flag is dropped on the Toyota/Save Mart 350.
“The Coast Guard is honored to serve our country and we are grateful when we are invited to showcase our service at national sporting events and venues like Infineon Raceway,” Creech said. “It was unique today - our helicopters usually deliver injured mariners from the perils of the sea, but today, we delivered the trophy for the all-American sport of NASCAR.”
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Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
WHAT: Big O Tires Racing Season Presents: Toyota/Save Mart 350
WHEN: June 19-21 (Father’s Day weekend)
2008 POLE WINNER: Kasey Kahne
2008 WINNER: Kyle Busch
NOTABLE: The weekend will also feature competition in the Bennett Lane Winery 200, presented by Supercuts, NASCAR Camping World Series West event on Saturday.
START TIMES (Pacific):
Friday, June 19: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pole Day, 3:35 p.m.
Saturday, June 20: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Final Practice, 10:50 a.m.; Bennett Lane Winery 200, presented by Supercuts, 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 21 (Father’s Day): Toyota/Save Mart 350, 2 p.m.
TICKETS: $25-$130 single day/$99-$180 weekend; parking is FREE
INFORMATION: 800-870-RACE, www.infineonraceway.com or www.ticketmaster.com
Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown, presented by Supercuts
May 15-17
Wine Country Classic
historic car races
May 30-31
Toyota/Save Mart 350
NASCAR Weekend
June 19-21
FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals
July 24-26
NHRA Division 7 drag races, presented by Korbel
July 31-Aug. 2
Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma
Aug. 21-23
