Fans Invited to 11^th annual Eric Medlen

Nitro Night Charity Dinner, July 27

Guests Include Jack Beckman, Ron Capps and Scotty Pollacheck

SONOMA, Calif. (July 11, 2017) - Race fans are invited to enjoy a festive evening with NHRA racers, all in the name of charity, at the 11^th annual Eric Medlen Nitro Night Charity Dinner at Bay Club Stone Tree on Thursday, July 27.

In addition to raising funds for the Sonoma chapter of Speedway Children's Charities (SCC), the charitable arm of Sonoma Raceway, the evening is dedicated to the memory of Oakdale's Eric Medlen. Medlen, a native of the San Joaquin Valley, won the Funny Car championship for John Force Racing at his home track in Sonoma in 2006. In 2007, he succumbed to injuries sustained from a testing accident.

New for this year's event, the evening will feature a special tribute to Medlen's love for rodeo with an interactive rodeo-style roping demonstration presented by McDonald's, starting at 6:30 p.m. The evening will also feature a reception, sponsored by First Republic Bank, a delicious New York steak dinner, a charity drawing and special tributes to Medlen, as well as a Q&A.

Popular NHRA racers have been confirmed to attend, including Jack Beckman (Infinite Hero Dodge Charger), who will also emcee the evening, Ron Capps (Napa Auto Parts Dodge Charger) and Scotty Pollacheck (Petrolhead Buell Pro Stock Bike). The event typically boasts a healthy contingent from Eric's hometown of Oakdale, including his mother, Mimi, and his father, John.

The event will be hosted at Bay Club Stone Tree, which is less than five miles from the raceway in Novato, providing easy access for fans and race teams. The raceway will also offer a free shuttle from the track to Stonetree and back.

Tickets for the evening are $125 per person or $1,250 per table and include wine/beer and dinner. All proceeds go to qualified youth groups in Sonoma County in Medlen's name through SCC.

Nitro Night also serves as a kick-off to the Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway, July 28-30.  This year's event marks the series' 30^th annual visit to the Sonoma Valley and will feature professional competition in the Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle classes.

For more information or to purchase tickets to the Eric Medlen Nitro Night Dinner, visit http://bit.ly/29l21Ax or contact Cheri Plattner at 707-933-3950, [email protected]