NASCAR NNCS (SONOMA) - Jerry Rice Takes Hot Laps in Stock Car
in Sonoma
The attached image shows Toyota/Save Mart 350 Grand Marshal Jerry Rice
climbing into a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup stock car, supplied by the Richard
Petty Driving Experience, for hot laps on Monday at Infineon Raceway.
PHOTO BY MIKE DORAN.
NFL Legend Jerry Rice Takes Hot Laps in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Stock Car in
Sonoma
SONOMA, Calif. (June 18, 2007) - Jerry Rice has won three Super Bowls
and caught more passes than any wide receiver in NFL history, but
nothing could have prepared him for what he experienced on Monday at
Infineon Raceway.
Rice was treated to four laps around the 10-turn, 1.99-mile road course
in the Sonoma Valley in the passenger seat of a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup stock
car, supplied by the Richard Petty Driving Experience.
Rice, who will serve as Grand Marshal of this weekend's Toyota/Save Mart
350, was in the passenger seat of the Burger King Toyota, with driver
Shane MacMillan as his tour guide. The two reached speeds in excess of
100 mph over the twists and turns of Infineon Raceway. The stock car
featured 700-horsepower.
"I had no idea it was going to be that fast," said Rice, who will be
attending his first NASCAR race this weekend. "My heart was pumping
big-time. To feel the sheer power of these cars was just amazing, and it
takes a pretty special athlete to go 110 laps around this place. I have
so much respect for these NASCAR drivers and what they do."
One of those drivers Rice hopes to meet is five-time Infineon Raceway
champion Jeff Gordon, who is a native of nearby Vallejo.
"I've watched his career on television for a lot of years and I've
always idolized him," Rice said. "I'm really hoping I get a chance to
meet him and spend some time with him this weekend. I also hear he's a
big San Francisco 49ers fan so that's pretty cool, too."
Rice, best known as a member of the San Francisco 49ers, will be honored
throughout the weekend, most notably at the Raceway Builder's Grand
Marshal's Banquet on Friday night, June 22, at beautiful Cline Cellars
in Sonoma. All proceeds from the banquet benefit Speedway Children's
Charities, the charitable arm of Infineon Raceway.
Rice will also join the Northern California Toyota Dealers on Sunday in
giving the start command, "Gentleman, start your engines," prior to the
start of the Toyota/Save Mart 350.
Rice won three Super Bowls while playing for the San Francisco 49ers
from 1985-2000. During his stellar 21-year career, which included stints
with the Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks, he basically rewrote the
NFL record book for wide receivers.
Toyota/Save Mart 350
WHAT: Big O Tires Racing Season Presents: Toyota/Save Mart 350
WHEN: June 22-24
CIRCUIT: 10-turn, 1.99-mile road course
2006 POLE WINNER: Kurt Busch (Miller Lite Dodge)
2006 WINNER: Jeff Gordon (DuPont Chevrolet)
NOTABLE: The weekend will also feature competition in the NASCAR Grand
National Division West Series during Saturday's Blue Lizard Suncream
200.
TICKETS: $30-$130 single day/$99-$180 weekend; parking is FREE
INFORMATION: 800-870-RACE, www.infineonraceway.com
<http://www.infineonraceway.com/> or www.ticketmaster.com
<http://www.ticketmaster.com/>
Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown, presented by Supercuts
May 18-20
Wine Country Classic vintage car races
June 2-3
Toyota/Save Mart 350
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Weekend
June 22-24
Infineon Cougar Mountain Classic
July 6-8
FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals
July 27-29
CAL-STEAM/KOHLER
Div. 7 NHRA drag races, presented by Korbel
Aug. 3-5
Motorola Indy 300, presented by Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel
Aug. 24-26
