SONOMA, California — Fans will be treated to some elite racing history during the Indy® Grand Prix of Sonoma, Aug. 26-28, at Infineon Raceway with the Legends in Sonoma program. The raceway will honor some of racing’s biggest stars and look back at 30 years of open-wheel racing in the Sonoma Valley.
Infineon Raceway will honor legends Mario Andretti, Al Unser Jr. and Johnny Rutherford. AJ Foyt will also be featured during the weekend as one lucky fan will win a personal meet-and-greet with the open-wheel legend.
Race fans can get even more access to these legends with the Legends in Sonoma ticket package, which includes a Q&A with Andretti, Unser Jr. and Rutherford on race day, Sunday, Aug. 28. This package also includes a reserved race-day ticket, plus a garage/pit/pre-race pass for just $99.
The legends will be featured throughout the weekend, and honored during pre-race ceremonies on Sunday.
Here’s a glimpse at the racing legends you’ll see in Sonoma:
Mario Andretti
Andretti is undoubtedly one of the most successful Americans in the history of racing. He is one of only two drivers to win races in Formula One, INDYCAR, World Sportscar Championship and NASCAR (the other being Dan Gurney), and has also won races in midget cars, sprint cars, and drag racing. During his career, Andretti won four INDYCAR titles, the 1978 Formula One World Championship, and IROC VI. To date, he remains the only driver ever to win the Indianapolis 500 (1969), Daytona 500 (1967) and the Formula One World Championship. No American has won a Formula One race since Andretti's victory at the 1978 Dutch Grand Prix.
Al Unser Jr.
Unser Jr. was born into one of racing’s most famous families. He is the son of Al Unser and the nephew of Bobby Unser, both Indianapolis 500 winners. Unser Jr. went on to make a name for himself, as well, chalking up two Indianapolis 500 victories, two CART Series Championships (‘90 and ‘94) and 34 total career wins. Unser was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2009.
Johnny Rutherford
Rutherford is one of only nine drivers to win the Indianapolis 500 at least three times, posting victories in 1974, 1976 and 1980. Rutherford also won three poles at the 500 (‘73, ‘76 and ’80). Rutherford also dabbled in stock car racing, making 35 NASCAR Cup Series starts from 1963 to 1988. He won in his first start, at Daytona International Speedway driving for Smokey Yunick. Rutherford retired from racing before the start of the 1994 Indianapolis 500 and now serves as an official with INDYCAR, driving the pace car.
Fans can enter the sweepstakes for the meet-and-greet with Foyt on race day, Sunday, Aug. 28, at www.facebook.com/infineonraceway?sk=app_239066882782067
For more information about the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma or to purchase the Legends of Sonoma ticket package, call 800-870-RACE (7223) or visit www.infineonraceway.com/indycar
