Motor Sports Stars, including IRL’s Wheldon, NHRA’s McClenathan, Highlight Speed-Fest at Infineon Raceway SONOMA, Calif. (IMMEDIATE RELEASE) “” Race fans were able to rub shoulders, watch remote control car racing and even take a hot lap around the world-famous 12-turn, 2.52-mile road course with some of the biggest names in motor sports at Infineon Raceway’s Speed-Fest on Monday under rainy skies in the Sonoma Valley. Speed-Fest, which is the first of three promotional events designed for race fans as Infineon Raceway gears up for the upcoming Big O Tires Racing Season, attracted more than 300 race fans under blustery conditions, as well as the Indy Racing League’s Dan Wheldon, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup’s David Stremme, NHRA’s Cory McClenathan, Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series’ Scott Pruett and the AMA Superbike Series’ Jake Zemke. The drivers took part in a formal press conference in advance of the upcoming motor sports season at Infineon Raceway, but that wasn’t all. They also swapped paint during a remote control car racing stunt, signed autographs for fans and even gave 75 lucky fans a lap around the world famous road course. The laps were given in exchange for fans donating one pint of blood to the American Red Cross, which held a blood drive on Monday at the raceway. The festive day was particularly appealing for Stremme, a NASCAR rookie who had never seen the Sonoma Valley road course prior to Monday. He enjoyed getting the feel for the course while piloting fans around the circuit. He’ll return for the Dodge/Save Mart 350 weekend, June 23-25. “Scott (Pruett) took me out and gave me a few pointers on the track but you really don’t feel it until you get out there yourself,” said Stremme, driver of the No. 40 Coors Light and Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon Dodge. “This place is pretty neat, especially with the tight corners and elevation changes. It’s going to be a challenge (in June).” “The laps were really fun, and not just because of the track but he (Stremme) made everything comfortable for everyone,” said John Seratt, a race fan from San Rafael who attended the event on Monday. “He made driving the track look easy; it was a great event.” It wasn’t a challenge for Pruett, who has raced in Sonoma several times over the years, but this will be his first time at Infineon Raceway behind the wheel of the No. 01 CompUSA Lexus for Chip Ganassi Racing in the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series. This will mark Grand-Am’s first event in Sonoma when they share the weekend with the IRL at the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma, Aug. 25-27. “This is a great place and we’re real excited to come out here with the Grand Am Series,” said Pruett, a resident of Auburn in the Sacramento area. “I remember coming out here about 10 years ago and this wasn’t the most desirable place, but so much work has been done here. It’s one of the top facilities in the country and the race fans are going to really like this series. It’s pretty exciting when that many cars (45-60) get on the track at one time.” Wheldon, the defending IRL IndyCar® Series champion and defending Indy 500 champion, was the star of the day, among both media and race fans, who braved rainy conditions. Wheldon, who will drive the No. 10 Target car for Chip Ganassi Racing in 2006, began his season with a victory in the Rolex 24 at Daytona (Grand-Am Series) in January. “This track is a challenge, that’s best thing I can say about it, and drivers like challenges,” Wheldon said. “I think I speak for all the drivers (in the IRL) when I say we can’t wait to come out here. It’s a great racetrack and the fans have also been great.” Wheldon gave 25 fans the thrill of their lives on Monday, driving them around the serpentine circuit at speed in a street car. “He (Wheldon) was very professional. I really enjoyed driving with someone who goes left and right,” said Bill Shepard, a race fan from nearby Vallejo. “He answered everyone’s questions and seemed very personable. It was my first time out for this event and I’m looking forward to next year.” McClenathan, who drives the Carrier Boyz FRAM Boost Top Fuel dragster in the NHRA POWERade circuit, also showed he can do more than drive a straight quarter-mile. He, too, gave race fans laps around the road course and even spent a good deal of time riding around Infineon Raceway’s 16-turn, three-quarter mile karting track. McClenathan returns to Infineon Raceway on Saturday for the 4th annual NHRA Tour de Charity, which gives fans the chance to compete against NHRA stars like McClenathan, Ron Capps and Gary Scelzi in a full day of karting. Slots are still open for race fans and proceeds benefit Speedway Children’s Charities; email [email protected]. “I always have a ball here, and while I know I can go pretty fast in a dragster, I can also drive a kart pretty well, too,” McClenathan said. “It was great to hang out with the fans today, and I’m looking forward to the karting day on Saturday with Ron and Gary.” Zemke, a native of San Francisco, will ride the Honda CBR1000R when the Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown, presented by Supercuts, visits Sonoma, May 19-21. Zemke, who placed 11th in the Superbike points battle in 2005, said the CBR1000R is 14 pounds lighter this year, which could be helpful. “The bike is definitely improved, but not redesigned,” he said. “We struggled a bit last year and were 11th in points but I’m looking for better things in 2006, and I’m looking forward to coming out here. At a time when we worry about dangerous tracks, this is one (track) that has become one of the more safer tracks over the last few years.” Speed-Fest is the first of three events for Ignition Tour 2006, designed to build momentum for race fans entering the upcoming season at Infineon Raceway, which begins May 12-14 with the Ferrari Challenge. Other upcoming Ignition Tour events include the NHRA Tour de Charity (Saturday) and Two-Wheel Thunder (March 17). Two-Wheel Thunder will be held during AMA motorcycle testing and is FREE to the public. For more information, visit www.infineonraceway.com.