Sonoma Raceway raised $95,000 for youth charities during NHRA weekend

Sonoma County youth organizations receive most of the funds collected through the group, which has distributed more than $6 million since 2001.|

The Sonoma Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities, the charitable arm of Sonoma Raceway, raised about $95,000 for Northern California non-profit groups during the NHRA Sonoma Nationals last weekend, the raceway announced.

Sonoma County youth organizations receive most of the funds collected through the group, which has distributed more than $6 million since 2001.

The 12th annual Eric Medlen Nitro Night at Viansa Sonoma generated more than $35,400 for charity. The event honors Medlen, an Oakdale native who died after a testing accident in 2007.

Guests of the evening included 2016 NHRA Funny Car Champion Ron Capps, emcee Jack Beckman, Scotty Pollacheck, Brandon Bernstein and J.R. Todd, who helped auction ticket and experience packages provided by Capps, which raised $12,550.

Another $1,460 was raised from donations at the Eric Medlen Ice Cream Social on Sunday. After the races, fans were invited to enjoy a free scoop of Clover Sonoma ice cream and donate to the charity.

Levy Restaurants, the official caterer of Sonoma Raceway, hosted eight local non-profit groups to support concession stands around the facility. Levy gives a portion of the sales back to the non-profits.

California Martial Arts Institute, Casa Grande Cheer, Petaluma Elks Lodge, Native Sons of the Golden West, O’hana Wa’a Outrigger Canoe Club, Rohnert Park-Cotati Cheer, Santa Rosa Cheer and Vallejo Raiders Youth Football, received $57,392 from the weekend concession sales.

You can reach Staff Writer Lori A. Carter at 707-521-5470 or lori.carter@pressdemocrat.com.

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