SONOMA, Calif. (March 24, 2016) - Sonoma Raceway will offer fans an entirely new perspective on the racing action, as the wine country facility upgrades its spectator experience with more than 5,000 square feet of Panasonic LED digital signage.
Most notably, the raceway will replace its outdated lap/leader board, which has stood above Turn 1 of the road course since 1994, with an 85-foot tall, four-sided LED scoring tower. The new pylon will provide real-time running order for up to 20 positions, dynamic race-related graphics and fan information.
The new scoring tower will be located in approximately the same position above Turn 1, but is more than 26-feet taller than the old board and will be easily visible from almost every seating area around the road course. The new fan amenity will make its debut at the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event, June 24-26.
In addition, the raceway will add an 84- x 12-foot Panasonic LED video board on the front of its three-story Drag Tower building. This video board will be easily viewed from the Main Grandstand, as well as the temporary grandstand during the Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event in July.
Tickets: Toyota/Save Mart 350 | Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals | GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma
"These two new displays are going to be spectacular and will correct what has been a major deficiency in the guest experience at Sonoma Raceway," said raceway President and General Manager, Steve Page. "We can't wait to fire them up."
This new technology will allow the raceway to create and deliver videos, graphic overlays, real-time statistics, custom content and sponsor advertisements. The new displays will be utilized during all three Sonoma Raceway major event weekends, including the Toyota/Save Mart 350, Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals and GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma Verizon IndyCar Series Championship.
"We are delighted to be partnering once again with Sonoma Raceway and providing technologies that will help contribute to their fans' satisfaction with each visit to the track," said Don Szczepaniak, Panasonic executive vice president responsible for AV Solutions. "The new LED scoring pylon and extended length video board are designed to raise the excitement level and give fans a more immersive and memorable experience than ever before."
Construction on the new video boards and displays is expected to begin at the end of March with the demolition of the old lap/leader board. Completion of the project is slated for early June.
For more information about the 2016 Sonoma Raceway event season or to purchase tickets, visit www.sonomaraceway.com or call 800-870-RACE.
