Sonoma Raceway seeks nominations of 'local heroes'

Sonoma Raceway will honor local heroes of the Northern California wild fires during the Toyota/Save Mart 350 race weekend, as part of its Sonoma Rising initiative.

Community members and race fans alike can nominate Sonoma County residents who were particularly heroic during the devastating fires last October. Nominees can include first responders, community members or public servants.

Nominations can be submitted at sonomaraceway.com/sonomarising; the submission should include reasons the hero should be honored, as well as a picture of the hero (if available). The submission deadline is Friday, June 8.

The winner of the Hometown Hero contest and a guest will receive a VIP experience at the Toyota/Save Mart 350 on Sunday, June 24.

The hero will also attend the NASCAR Drivers’ Meeting and be recognized as the Hometown Hero to the crowd during the Pre-Race Show Powered by Friedman’s Home Improvement just moments before the green flag drops on NASCAR’s annual visit to Sonoma.

Sonoma Rising will feature to additional ways for race fans, businesses and community members to support those affected by the fires and the rebuilding efforts:

Help fire survivors enjoy a day at the track by purchasing a NASCAR race-day ticket for Sunday, June 24, for just $20.

Sonoma Raceway has teamed up with the Sonoma Chamber of Commerce, Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau and Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers to drive business to local companies. Race fans can show their tickets at participating Sonoma Valley businesses for special offers and discounts around race weekend (June 18-26).

For a complete list of participating businesses, visit SonomaRaceway.com/SonomaRising.

The Sonoma Rising initiative is one of several ways first responders and members of the military will be recognized during NASCAR race weekend. Sunday’s military involvement includes a 25-minute air show by the Patriots Jet Team, which features pilots who were formerly part of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, U.S. Navy Blue Angels and Canadian Forces Snowbirds.

The Cal-Fire Honor Guard will present our nation’s colors during the Pre-Race Show Powered by Friedman’s Home Improvement while the Cal-Fire Pipes and Drums Bands will provide roaming entertainment around the paddock.

Finally, large American flags will be unfolded from the sky as well as in front of the main grandstand as the national anthem is sung and will be followed by an incredible flyover of two F-15s from the Oregon Air National Guard, based out of Kingsley Field, Oregon, minutes before the green flag drops.

In addition, members of the military receive discounts on tickets for all Sonoma Raceway major events.

For more information on tickets for upcoming events, visit SonomaRaceway.com or call 800-870-RACE (7223).