SONOMA, California — Sausalito native JR Hildebrand returns home to Infineon Raceway for the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma weekend, Aug. 21-23, and nothing would please him more than a victory on his home track.
Hildebrand, a graduate of the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School at Infineon Raceway, tops the standings in Firestone Indy Lights and is the favorite to take the checkers in the Carneros 100 on Sunday, Aug. 23.
“I have more miles than anyone else in the series at Infineon Raceway,” said Hildebrand, 21. “I know we have the equipment to win, and I have the experience to do it.”
He has three wins and eight top-five efforts this season driving for Andretti Green/AFS Racing. Hildebrand placed fifth in his first season in Indy Lights in 2008, but his sights are set on a championship in 2009. He holds a 63-point lead over Sebastian Saavedra with three races left.
“The race in Sonoma is down the stretch of our schedule, so it’s an important win, and one we’re prepared for,” Hildebrand said.
The Sonoma race has certainly been highlighted on Hildebrand’s calendar. He got his start racing go-karts at the Infineon Raceway Karting Center and also graduated from the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School. Now, with the power of Andretti Green Racing behind him, he feels more confident than he can win in front of his family and friends in Sonoma.
“When I first signed with AGR, I would go to team meetings and sit next to (Tony) Kanaan and Danica (Patrick), and people who I see as almost celebrity status, so it was kind of an adjustment to be on a team with drivers of this caliber,” Hildebrand said. “It also amazed me how hands-on Michael Andretti is. It’s great to have someone with so much success and so much knowledge around the shop every day.”
The Indy Lights Series is the official development series of the IndyCar® Series, so Hildebrand is close to joining the ranks of Andretti Green drivers Kanaan and Patrick. He could take another step in that direction with a win in the Carneros 100 at Infineon Raceway.
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Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma Weekend
WHAT: Big O Tires Racing Season Presents: Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma
WHEN: Aug. 21-23
CIRCUIT: 12-turn road course
2008 POLE WINNER: Helio Castroneves (Team Penske)
2008 WINNER: Helio Castroneves (Team Penske)
NOTABLE: The weekend will also feature Formula DRIFT, as well as the Firestone Indy Lights Series, featuring Sausalito native J.R. Hildebrand.
TICKETS: $10-$65 single day/$65-$85 weekend; parking is FREE and kids 12 and under are FREE (Saturday only). Garage passes are available for purchase.
INFORMATION: 800-870-RACE or www.infineonraceway.com/indy.
