SONOMA, Calif. (IMMEDIATE RELEASE) – The NASCAR Grand National Division, AutoZone West Series will return to Infineon Raceway for the first time in eight years during the 2006 Big O Tires Racing Season, raceway officials announced today.
The AutoZone West Series, which last visited a road course in 2001, will be the featured event on Saturday of the Dodge/Save Mart 350 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series weekend (June 23-25), replacing the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division Southwest Series. The race will be called the Blue Lizard Suncream 200 — this marks the series’ first visit to Infineon Raceway since 1998.
“Returning to the challenges of road-course racing at Infineon Raceway is a fantastic opportunity for the AutoZone West Series,” said NASCAR Director of Regional Racing Development Don Hawk. “The NASCAR Grand National Division, including the AutoZone West Series, is the training ground for the NASCAR stars of the future, and it’s important that these up-and-coming teams and drivers gain as much experience as they can – on all types of race tracks. For the fans, they will have an opportunity to witness a great race featuring the top regional racing stars on the West Coast.”
The West Series has a long history at Infineon Raceway, including annual visits from 1978-1989 — its first race in Sonoma came in 1978, with Jim Insolo taking the checkered flag. The West Series served as a support race to the NASCAR Cup Series from 1989-1997 in Sonoma, and ran alongside the Craftsman Truck Series from 1995-1998.
Current NASCAR NEXTEL Cup star Kevin Harvick won the last West Series event at Infineon Raceway en route to winning the 1998 series championship. Other current and former Cup drivers who have earned their stripes in the West Series include Brendan Gaughan, Ken Schrader, Ron Hornaday Jr. and Derrick Cope.
“The West Series has a long legacy at this track and has been a breeding ground for some of the top talent in our sport,” said Steve Page, president and general manager of Infineon Raceway. “This will be a terrific addition to the NASCAR weekend.”
The West Series enters its 53rd season in 2006, making it the West Coast’s oldest stock car racing circuit. The West Series historically competes in Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona.
The race at Infineon Raceway will span 64 laps and feature drivers like two-time series champion Mike Duncan, 2005 championship runner-up Steve Portenga, Austin Cameron, Jim Inglebright, Mike David, and Peyton Sellers, who recently signed a development contract with Richard Childress Racing. It’s expected a number of NASCAR NEXTEL Cup regulars may compete in the race as the two cars (West and Cup) are very similar. The weekend is presented by Snap-on Tools.
Tickets are now available for the 2006 season at Infineon Raceway, including the Dodge/Save Mart 350. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 800-870-RACE or visit www.infineonraceway.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
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