SONOMA, Calif. (June 7, 2018) - Actor Michael Rooker has been named Grand Marshal of the 8th annual NASCAR Hauler Parade and will lead the procession of Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series haulers through the streets of Sacramento on Thursday, June 21.
Rooker, an American actor known to motorsports fans for his role as Rowdy Burns in Days of Thunder, will be in Sacramento to meet fans at the Fandemic Tour, a new type of comic con bringing fandom, fun and family together to celebrate all of pop culture. Rooker has had recent success in his reprised role as Yondu in Marvel Studios' Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), a film that follows the same group of galactic underdogs saving the universe.
Rooker will lead the parade of NASCAR haulers en route to Sonoma Raceway for the Toyota/Save Mart 350, June 22-24. The trucks will make their way over the Tower Bridge and around the State Capitol on their way to greet Northern California NASCAR fans ready for NASCAR's only stop in Northern California.
Fans can expect to see haulers from Elk Grove's Kyle Larson, Kyle Busch, Jimmie Johnson and most every other driver on the Monster Energy Series circuit. This marks the eighth consecutive hauler parade in Northern California and raceway officials are thrilled to bring it to Sacramento, home to some of its most avid race fans.
The parade will begin promptly at noon on Thursday, June 21, as the haulers depart their staging area and cross the Tower Bridge, heading for the State Capitol. The route is as follows:
- Cross Tower Bridge towards Capitol Mall.
- Right turn on 3rd Street.
- Left turn on N Street.
- Left turn on 16th Street.
- Left turn on L Street.
- Haulers will then be directed to the freeway and head South on Hwy. 80 to Sonoma Raceway, where they will be parked in the garage for the race weekend. The haulers will arrive at the raceway at approximately 2 p.m.
Race fans can cheer on Rooker and catch the haulers all along the parade route, but are encouraged to head to the corner of 11th and L Streets for the best view. Sonoma Raceway will have a display there, as well as the popular Raceway Girls, and giveaways. This will be the heart of the action.
State Senator Jim Nielsen will be on hand to present the president of the Transporter Drivers of Motorsports Association (TDMA) an official State Senate Proclamation, officially naming June 21, 2018, "NASCAR Day" in the City of Sacramento. A $5,000 donation will also be made to the Sonoma Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities, the charitable arm of Sonoma Raceway, on behalf of the Transporter Drivers of Motorsports Association.
Don't miss your chance to give the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series a warm Sacramento welcome as the haulers rumble through town on Thursday, June 21. Download the Sonoma Raceway app to view the parade route map, as well as best viewing points.
For tickets or more information about the Toyota/Save Mart 350, visit SonomaRaceway.com/nascar or call 800-870-RACE (7223). For more information about Fandemtic Tour, which debuts in Sacramento June 22-24 at the Sacramento Convention Center, visit www.FandemicTour.com.