Actor Luke Wilson will drive a 2016 Toyota Camry pace car to kick off the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway on Sunday, June 26.
Wilson is a film actor best known for his comedic roles in films including Old School, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Legally Blonde, Idiocracy, Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums.
The Texas native currently stars in Showtime’s new series “Roadies,” which premieres on June 26. The show follows the lives of a tight-knit group of rock-n roll-roadies working on the tour for a famous rock band. The show marks the first television series created by renowned film director Cameron Crowe and his partnership with J.J. Abrams (“Lost”), who is executive producer.
This will mark the first time Wilson has served as an Official Pace Car Driver at a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event. He will also be recognized during pre-race ceremonies and greet each NASCAR driver on stage during driver introductions.
“I feel incredibly honored to be asked to lead the field of cars to the green,” said Wilson. “I have never done anything like this before and I’m really excited to start off the race at the Toyota/Save Mart 350.”
The actor’s appearance is but one of several special events planned for the day, which includes a pre-race show featuring everything from jets to aeronautical aerobatics to live musical entertainment. Included are a concert by country music singer/songwriter Jackson Micheleson, a NASCAR Drivers meeting concert by Toree McGee, aerial stunt performance by Brad Wursten and a 25-minute air show from the Patriots Jet Team among other programmed events. Tickets are still available for the Toyota/Save Mart 350, which marks the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ only visit to Northern California. For tickets or more information, visit www.sonomaraceway.com/NASCAR or call 800-870-7223.
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