SONOMA, Calif. (March 8, 2017) - Sonoma Raceway's drag strip and skid pad will rev back to life as Wednesday Night Drags and Sonoma Drift return to the track for the season opener next Wednesday, March 15.

The popular "Drags and Drift" program features drag racing on the quarter-mile drag strip, as well as drifting behind the main grandstand, most Wednesday nights through November 8.

For nearly 30 years, the popular Wednesday Night Drags program has given local drivers a safe, legal and controlled environment to race their cars on the raceway's quarter-mile drag strip. Anyone with a driver license and a car that passes a simple tech inspection is invited to compete at Wednesday Night Drags. The cost for students with a valid high school ID is only $15 and $25 for all other competitors.

While the drag strip rumbles with racing, Sonoma Drift brings white smoke and sideways cars onto the skid pad just yards away. Drifting is a driving competition held worldwide, which is judged on speed, angle, showmanship and line taken through a set course, rather than who finishes first. Sonoma Drift will continue its partnership with Red Baron Racing for the 2017 season to feature its popular competitions such as wall rides, backwards entry, parking and more; six competitions are slated for 2017.

Each Sonoma Drift event is limited to 40 competitors per week. Drivers should pre-register online; entry fee is $40. There is no on-site registration available. For more information, visit www.sonomaraceway.com/track/sonoma_drift/

Wednesday Night Drags begins at 3:30 p.m. with eliminations starting at 6:30 p.m. Sonoma Drift runs from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. Looking to just watch? Wednesday Night Drags and Sonoma Drift are great spectator events. Spectator admission is just $10, while kids 12-and-under are admitted FREE and parking is FREE.

Visit www.sonomaraceway.com/track/you-can-race/ or call 800-870-RACE (7223). The full schedule and details are available at sonomaraceway.com/schedule.