Sonoma Raceway notebook: Local dragsters compete this weekend

The first of two visits by the NHRA to Sonoma Raceway this month starts with the NHRA Division 7 hot rods rolling into Wine Country this weekend.

To be specific, the Pacific Division will be racing its 10 classes at the drag strip on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 21 to 23. The event will include locals from the Northern California and Sonoma County areas (See the chart at right for a full list of contestants from the Redwood Empire).

Even though the races center on the West Coast-based lower-tier NHRA racing division, a Sonoma Raceway press release says that racers from across the country are expected at the track due to its 660-foot concrete launchpad and low position above sea level (15 feet), which makes the drag strip one of the fastest in the country, according to the race track.

Gates open at 8 a.m. each day, with on-track activity starting at 8:30 a.m. Tickets are $5 on Friday and $20 per day Saturday or Sunday.

All tickets include a pit pass. Children under 12 are free with a paid adult and parking is free. For more information, call 800-870-RACE or visit SonomaRaceway.com.

HAIL FIRST RESPONDERS

Sonoma Raceway and the NHRA will team up to honor first responders during the Sonoma Nationals weekend at the end of this month with a Starting Line Party during pre-race festivities on Sunday, July 30.

The salute, part of the NHRA Salutes First Responders initiative, pays tribute to medical professionals, law enforcement, firefighters and members of the armed forces, and will feature four current drag racers who have also served as first responders.

Those drivers are former NHRA champions Jack Beckman, Tony Schumacher, Jason Line and L.E. Tonglet.

Beckman and Line served in the U.S. Air Force, Schumacher is a civilian ambassador for the U.S. Army and Tonglet is currently a firefighter.

The race track is offering a ticket package with the party on Sunday that includes a seat in the main grandstand, access to a special Q-and-A session with racers before eliminations, a track walk and Thunder Alley pass.

The ticket-package prices run from $80-$85 or are a $20 upgrade with a ticket purchase.