SONOMA, Calif. (July 29, 2018) - Long-time Sonoma Raceway Drag Racing Manager Georgia Seipel was inducted into the Sonoma Raceway Wall of Fame today during pre-race ceremonies for the Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals.
Seipel, who retired earlier this year after a 30-year career in Sonoma, is the matriarch of the Seipel family, considered the First Family of drag racing in Northern California and known nationally for their contributions to the sport.
Georgia has been involved in drag racing for more than 60 years, including 10 years as a drag racer (1976-1987) behind the wheel of a hot pink 1956 Austin-Healey, and 10 years managing Baylands Raceway in Fremont. Her husband Ted and son Kyle are also well-known Sportsman racers at both the local and national level, and Kyle has now taken over as the raceway's Drag Racing Manager.
Since joining then-Sears Point Raceway in 1988, Georgia was instrumental in the growth of Sonoma Raceway's drag racing programs, including Wednesday Night Drags and Top the Cops™, as well as Summit ET Bracket Drag Racing.
"Georgia was the heart and soul of the Sonoma Raceway drag racing program for more than a generation of racers," said Sonoma Raceway President and General Manager Steve Page. "She was a fixture in the control room and the starting line, and now she'll be a fixture on the Sonoma Raceway Wall of Fame for years to come. I can't think of a more deserving honoree."
Seipel was introduced during pre-event ceremonies and recognized for her contributions to drag racing in Northern California. She is the 22nd member of the raceway's Wall of Fame, joining fellow NHRA racers, including Warren Johnson (2005), John Force (2006), Gary Scelzi (2007), Don Prudhomme (2011) and Ron Capps (2015).
"I've been really lucky because I have been able to do what I love and I really love drag racing," said Seipel. "I love this family and all these racers. I'm so honored."