For 29 seasons in a row, high school students and local law enforcement have taken to Sonoma Raceway’s world-famous quarter-mile drag strip throughout the summer months. In conjunction with the popular Sonoma Drags program, Top the Cops gives students the chance to race law enforcement, competing in full uniform in their official vehicles, on the same drag strip as the top professional racing series.
Top The Cops will also be a part of the racing experience at the DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals race weekend, July 26-28.
Participants must have a current high school identification card, a driver’s license and a car that passes a technical inspection. Students are given practice runs to prepare for head-to-head competition against an officer in his/her patrol car.
“Top The Cops is a traffic safety program geared towards young student drivers giving them a positive interaction with law enforcement,” said retired Santa Rosa Police Officer and Program Founder Kevin McKinnie. “After 29 years, it continues to be an incredible and unique platform.”
Participating departments include the Sonoma County Police Dept., Sonoma County Sheriff’s Dept., Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Dept., Santa Rosa Police Dept., California Highway Patrol, Emeryville Police Dept., and the Fairfield Police Dept.
“Top The Cops and Sonoma Drags is a wonderful program that builds bridges between youth and law enforcement, "said Sonoma Raceway Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Flynn. “We are glad that Sonoma Raceway provides a safe and controlled environment for young people to learn about racing.”
Gates open at 4:00 p.m. each day, with racing spanning from 4:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Elimination rounds start at 7:00 p.m. The cost is $20 for high school students with their ID card. For more information about Top The Cops, NHRA race weekend or the Sonoma Drags program, call (800) 870-RACE [7223] or visit SonomaRaceway.com.
