Charity Auction Slated for NASCAR Weekend in Sonoma
Fans Get Chance for Lap Around Track with NASCAR Driver at Race-n-Rock Charity Auction SONOMA, Calif. - Ten lucky race fans will have the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the 4th annual Race-n-Rock Charity Auction on Sunday, June 25, at Infineon Raceway. Race fans can bid on the chance to take a slow-speed lap with a NASCAR driver around the 10-turn, 1.99-mile road course during driver introductions on race day. Both the driver and winner will be in the back of a Dodge truck. They will also get to watch a portion of pre-race ceremonies from the start/finish line. The auction will take place at 10:45 a.m. (Pacific) in the Wine Country Winner's Circle, just two hours before the start of the Dodge/Save Mart 350 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup event. The lists of drivers being auctioned off: * Dale Earnhardt Jr. * Carl Edwards * Jeff Gordon * Dale Jarrett * Kasey Kahne * Matt Kenseth * Mark Martin * Ryan Newman * Elliot Sadler * Tony Stewart In addition to the drivers, fans will also get a shot at bidding on a number of great items, from both the NASCAR and rock-n-roll worlds. Some of the items include: autographed Earnhardt Jr. helmet/case; Rusty Wallace "Last Call" helmet/case; crew shirts signed by Newman, Kahne and Jeremy Mayfield; and signed/framed prints by Jimmie Johnson, Stewart, Gordon and Earnhardt Jr. There will also be a guitar signed by all the members of the group Tesla. The best part is all proceeds from this event benefit qualified youth groups in Sonoma County through Speedway Children's Charities. This event has raised nearly $170,000 over the last three years. 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 - NASCAR NEXTEL Cup practice, noon-2 p.m.; Ravenswood Winery NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Qualifying, 4:05 p.m. (PEE). Saturday - 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 - Dodge/Save Mart 350, 12:40 p.m. (FOX). TICKETS: $25-$180, parking is free. 800-870-RACE, www.infineonraceway.com <http://www.infineonraceway.com/> or www.ticketmaster.com <http://www.ticketmaster.com/> . Gates open at 7 a.m. each day.