Sonoma Raceway and Friedman's Home Improvement will celebrate 50 years of racing in wine country with an action-packed pre-race show prior to the Toyota/Save Mart 350 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series on Sunday, June 23
Race day entertainment kicks off at 10 a.m., so fans are strongly encouraged to arrive early to enjoy all the festivities. Fans looking for exclusive access to drivers, cars and entertainment will want to purchase the Total Access Pass, which includes access to the NASCAR Drivers' Meeting, Pre-Race Pass, a reserved seat in the Main Grandstand or Turn 2 Terrace and FanVision controller rental.
The pre-race show's tradition of exhilarating fun continues with special 50th anniversary celebrations, including a NASCAR legends Q&A, vintage stock cars and 10 local quarter-midget racers to represent the sports future legends.
Here is what fans can expect during the dynamic pre-race show, all powered by Friedman's Home Improvement:
NASCAR Drivers' Meeting, 10 a.m.
Fans who purchased the Total Access package will be granted access to the NASCAR Drivers' Meeting inside Sonoma Raceway's famed Turn 11 hairpin.
Aerial Stunt Performance by Brad Wursten, 10:15 a.m.
Utah's Brad Wursten will take to the sky in one of the most highly-sophisticated airplanes in the world, the MXS-R, made by MX Aircraft.
"Legends Chat" Q&A with Ernie Irvan, Richard Childress and Hershel McGriff, 10:25 a.m.
NASCAR legends Ernie Irvan, Richard Childress and Hershel McGriff will come together to celebrate Sonoma Raceway's 50th anniversary with a special "Legends Chat" Q&A session on the pre-race stage.
Patriots Jet Team Air Show, 10:45 a.m.
The Patriots Jet Team will electrify race fans with a 25-minute air show just one-hour before the green flag drops! The demonstration will feature six-L-39 albatross jets strutting their fast-paced formation flying, choreographed six-jet diamond-formation aerobatic maneuvers and their signature "Tail Slide," where the aircraft actually slides backwards toward the ground.
Driver Introductions, 11:20 a.m.
The field of Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers will walk the "catwalk" before taking their pre-race parade lap.
Racing's "Future Legends"
Ten local quarter-midget racers will step into the spotlight alongside the top-10 qualifiers during driver introductions, representing the future legends of motorsports.
Save Mart Giant Shopping Cart
Save Mart Supermarkets will take its giant 12-foot shopping cart "Big Red" for a lap around the road course.
Darrell Waltrip Presentation
FOX analyst and NASCAR legend Darrell Waltrip will give his final "Boogity, Boogity, Boogity" prior to the Toyota/Save Mart 350 broadcast on FS1. Sonoma Raceway will honor Waltrip's last race with a special presentation.
Vintage Stock Car Parade,
Three iconic NASCAR stock cars will thunder around the road course, including Ernie Irvan's No. 4 Kodak Oldsmobile, Dale Earnhardt's famed No. 3 Goodwrench Monte Carlo and Kyle Busch's No. 18 M&Ms Toyota.
Large American Flag
Representatives from Beale Air Force Base will unfurl a 100-foot American flag in front of the Main Grandstand during the national anthem.
America the Beautiful
Technical Sergeant Dan Olivas from the Air National Guard Band of the West Coast will sing "America the Beautiful."
Presentation of Colors
The Cal-Fire Honor Guard will present the nation's colors prior to the national anthem.
National Anthem performed by Tower of Power
Soul music legends and Bay Area natives, the Tower of Power, will perform the national anthem. The renowned horn section, including Doc Kupka and Emilio Castillo, will join lead singer Marcus Scott in performing our nation's anthem.
National Anthem Flyover
Two F-15C Eagles from the 123d Fighter Squadron Redhawks of the Oregon Air National Guard will rocket through the skies during a dramatic flyover above the raceway.
Pace Car Driver
Star of Netflix's Mr. Iglesias and currently on his world tour with "Beyond the Fluffy," actor/comedian, Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias will lead the field to the green flag in a Toyota Camry.
Drivers, Start Your Engines!
Representatives from Toyota Racing Development, including President and General Manager David Wilson, will give the most famous words in motorsports to fire up the engines for 90 laps on the Sonoma Valley road course!
Tickets, parking and transportation are all still available for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 weekend, June 21-23. For more information, call 800-870-7223, visit www.sonomaraceway.com.
