Cheech Marin Named Grand Marshal of NASCAR Weekend

 

SONOMA, Calif. - Cheech Marin has been named Grand
Marshal of the Dodge/Save Mart 350 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series weekend at
Infineon Raceway, June 23-25.

 

Marin, best known as one-half of the counter-culture, no-holds barred
duo of Cheech and Chong, will be honored throughout the weekend, most
notably at the Raceway Builders Grand Marshal's Banquet on Friday night
at beautiful Cline Cellars in Sonoma.

 

"This is a big honor for me and I'm looking forward to coming out to
Sonoma," said Marin, a native of Los Angeles. "I've always loved the Bay
Area, and NASCAR is truly growing into one of the biggest sports in the
country. It's a great way to spend the weekend."

 

Most recently, Marin supplied the voice of Ramone in the Disney/PIXAR
animated feature film "CARS," which will be formally  released this
weekend. He probably owes the resurgence of his career to his
scene-stealing role in the movie "Tin Cup," where he played Kevin
Costner's caddy. The performance led to his role in the long-time CBS
hit crime series "Nash Bridges," where he teamed with co-star Don
Johnson.

 

Though best known for his comedy and acting, Marin is also a director,
writer, musician, art collector and humanitarian. When Hollywood is not
monopolizing his time, Marin is busy promoting CHICANO, his vision of
Chicano art and expression as brought to life in a museum exhibition.
CHICANO, which features Marin's own personal Chicano art collection,
first opened in 2001 and has toured the United States, including the
Smithsonian (www.chicano.com <http://www.chicano.com/> ).

 

In addition to being honored at Friday's banquet, Marin's Grand Marshal
duties will also include attending the NEXTEL Cup drivers' meeting on
Sunday morning and joining the Northern California Dodge Dealers in
giving the start command, "Gentleman, start your engines," prior to the
start of the Dodge/Save Mart 350.  

 

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WHAT:  Dodge/Save Mart 350 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup weekend

WHERE:  Infineon Raceway, Highways 37 & 121, Sonoma, CA 95476

WHEN:  June 23-25

COURSE:  10 turns, 1.99 miles

2005 WINNER: Tony Stewart

2006 PURSE: Record $5,362,868 in posted awards

RECORDS: Qualifying- Jeff Gordon, 2005, 94.325 mph. Race - Ricky Rudd,
2002, 81.007 mph

NEXTEL CUP SCHEDULE (All times Pacific):  

Friday, June 23 - NASCAR NEXTEL Cup practice, noon-2 p.m.; Ravenswood
Winery NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Qualifying, 4:05 p.m. (SPEED). Saturday, June
24 - NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series practice, 9:30-10:15 a.m.; Slingbox NASCAR
NEXTEL Cup Series Happy Hour, 11:10-11:55 a.m. (FX). Sunday, June 25 -
Dodge/Save Mart 350, 12:40 p.m. (FOX).

TICKETS:  $25-$180, parking is free.  800-870-RACE,
www.infineonraceway.com