Cardinale inducted into West Coast HOF

One of Sonoma Raceway’s most respected spokesmen, and a longtime innovative communication, marketing and community relations vice president, the late John Cardinale will be inducted into the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame later this month.

Along with five other honorees, Cardinale, who passed away from gastric cancer in 2013, will be inducted during a gala event at the Meritage Resort in Napa on Thursday, June 25, which will help kick off the Valley’s most attended major event, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

The NASCAR Toyota/Save Mart 350 weekend takes place from Friday, June 26 through Saturday and Sunday, June 27 and 28, on the raceway’s famous 11-turn, 1.99-mile NASCAR road course.

After joining Sonoma Raceway in 1998, Cardinale quickly established himself as one of the most respected representatives within the motorsports industry, well known for his creative media stunts like driver ride-alongs with the California Highway Patrol and driving race cars across the Golden Gate Bridge.

Cardinale also bolstered the raceway’s community profile through community events, including food drives, blood drives and holiday parties for families in need, and was named NASCAR Track PR Representative of the Year in 2009, and posthumously received the National Motorsports Press Association Spirit Award in May 2013.

“Within the industry, John Cardinale was recognized among the best in his profession. Those of us who were fortunate to work with him on a daily basis remember his energy, his integrity, his creative spark, his sense of humor and his loyal friendship,” said Steve Page, Sonoma Raceway president and general manager, who was inducted into the WCSC Hall of Fame last year. “We are grateful to the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame for honoring John as one of this year’s inductees.”

The West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame inducted its inaugural class in 2002 after being founded in 2001. It memorializes significant contributors to the sport’s development and history – including designers, engineers, mechanics, drivers, racetrack owners, promoters, publicists and members of the motorsports media.

For details about table sponsorship for the 2015 awards dinner, contact Jenniffer Wentzel at 623-463-5400, and for more information about the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame, visit WestCoastStockCarHallofFame.com.

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Following NASCAR, Sonoma Raceway’s major events season continues with back-to-back NHRA weekends on the Valley’s famous drag strip, featuring the 28th annual Sonoma Nationals from July 31 to Aug. 2, preceded by the annual Division 7 Drag Races taking place from July 24 to 26.

The Verizon IndyCar Series weekend is set for Aug. 28 to 30, and its championship will, for the first time, be decided on a road course and include double points being awarded for the season finale at the the 11th annual GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma on Sunday, Aug. 30.

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For major event tickets and ticket packages, including the all-encompassing Track Pass, for Wednesday Night Drags details, or for general Sonoma Raceway information, call 800-870-RACE (7223) or visit racesonoma.com or ticketmaster.com. Camping is available.