Scott Pruett to drive NASCAR pace car

Pruett has competed in both NASCAR’s premier Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and the IndyCar Series|

Legendary road racer and Northern California native Scott Pruett will drive the Toyota Camry pace car to kick off the Toyota/Save Mart 350 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway on Sunday, June 24.

Pruett, an Auburn resident, announced his retirement after 50 years of racing following the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona in January. Recognized as the most-decorated road racer of the modern era, Pruett is a five-time champion in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with 60 sports-car series wins, in addition to claiming victories in the International Race of Champions (IROC) circuit. Since 2004, Pruett has led an astonishing 5,262 laps in full-time sports car competition, and in the last 10 years he’s led 2,010 laps in the Rolex 24 alone. He is tied with Hurley Haywood for the most overall wins in the Rolex 24 at five.

Pruett has also competed in both NASCAR’s premier Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and the IndyCar Series, where he won twice. He even made a pair of starts in the famed Australia SuperCars Series. Pruett earned three top-five finishes in 40 starts in the Monster Energy Series, including a runner-up finish at Watkins Glen (2003) and a third-place finish in Sonoma (2004).

“I’m so honored and excited to be back at Sonoma,” said Pruett, who has seven Cup Series starts and a Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car victory on his home track in Sonoma. “I love this track. It’s right in my backyard, and I have many great memories here. I can’t wait to lead those boys to the green flag, and just hope I remember to pull off into pit lane!”

Pruett will be recognized during the NASCAR Drivers’ Meeting and the Toyota/Save Mart 350 Pre-Race Show prior to hitting the track.

Tickets are still available for the Toyota/Save Mart 350, which marks NASCAR’s only visit to Northern California. For tickets or more information, visit sonomaraceway.com/NASCAR or call 800-870-7223.

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