SONOMA, Calif. (Oct. 18, 2007) John Cardinale, who has managed media relations at Infineon Raceway since 1998, has been promoted to the position of Vice President, Communications and Marketing, raceway officials announced today. Cardinale, 42, will assume responsibility for all of the raceway’s event marketing and promotions, including advertising, media relationships and event entertainment, as well as publications and internet presence. The raceway’s marketing staff will join the media and communications department as a coordinated team under Cardinale’s management. “John’s vision, work ethic and sense of teamwork are among the true strengths of our organization,” said raceway president Steve Page. “He is a terrific mentor, a strategic thinker and I know he will help our new media and marketing team reach its full potential.” Since his hire, Cardinale has helped to greatly expand the media coverage and recognition of the raceway in surrounding markets, as well as build the raceway’s community and charitable events through Speedway Children’s Charities. The charity has distributed more than $2.1 million to qualified youth groups in Sonoma County since 2002. Those departments will remain under Cardinale’s supervision as he assumes his expanded marketing role. Prior to joining Infineon Raceway, Cardinale worked for five years (1993-1998) in the sports department of the Contra Costa Times newspaper chain. Cardinale graduated from San Francisco State University with a bachelor of art’s degree in journalism and worked as a sports writer/editor for 12 years. He currently resides in Martinez with his wife and two daughters.