IRL Drivers Stomp Grapes in San Francisco
Contact: John Cardinale (707) 933-3907 IndyCar Drivers Stomp Grapes Prior to Big Race Weekend in Sonoma Valley SONOMA, Calif. (IMMEDIATE RELEASE) - Three IRL IndyCar(r) Series drivers and a well-known San Francisco chef rolled up their pant legs and participated in an old-fashioned grape stomp on Wednesday to prepare for this weekend's visit to Sonoma Valley's Infineon Raceway. Scott Sharp (Delphi Fernandez Racing), Buddy Rice (Rahal Letterman Racing) and Kosuke Matsuura (Super Aguri Fernandez Racing) were at the Fior d'Italia restaurant in San Francisco for a press conference in advance of the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma (Aug. 25-27). Before they could answer the media's questions, the contestants took off their shoes, stepped into the barrels and crushed grapes for three minutes in a race to see who could produce the most juice. The drivers were joined by Gianni Audieri, long-time chef at the Fior d'Italia. Sharp was declared the winner after his jug of juice outweighed second-place finisher Matsuura. "That was a lot of fun," said Sharp. "Hopefully winning at stomping grapes means I'll win this weekend in Sonoma." These drivers and the rest of the IRL IndyCar(r) Series will return to Infineon Raceway for the second consecutive year this weekend for the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma. The series enters Infineon Raceway, the penultimate event of the season, locked in one of the tightest points battles in series history. Six drivers, including defending event champion Tony Kanaan ( Andretti Green Racing), are still in contention for the 2006 championship. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 800-870-RACE or visit www.infineonraceway.com <http://www.infineonraceway.com/> or www.ticketmaster.com <http://www.ticketmaster.com/> . ### WHAT: Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma WHERE: Infineon Raceway, Highways 37 & 121, Sonoma, CA 95476 WHEN: Aug. 25-27 COURSE: 12 turns, 2.26 miles 2005 WINNER: Tony Kanaan RECORDS: Qualifying - Ryan Briscoe, 2005, 108.25 mph.; Race - Tony Kanaan, 2005, 105.74 mph IN ADDITION: The weekend will also feature the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series, Indy Pro Series(tm) and the Historic Grand Prix. SCHEDULE (All times Pacific): Friday, Aug. 25: Grand-Am Practice 9 a.m.-9:45 a.m.; IndyCar(r) Practice, 10 a.m.-12:05 p.m.; Indy Pro Series(tm) Qualifying, 12:15 p.m.-1 p.m.; IndyCar(r) Practice, 2 p.m.-3 p.m.; Indy Pro Series(tm) Qualifying, 3:40 p.m.-4:25 p.m.; Grand-Am Qualifying, 4:45 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26: IndyCar(r) Practice, 9:30 a.m.-10:35 a.m.; IndyCar(r) Qualifying, 12:05 p.m.-1:20 p.m.; Indy Pro Series(tm) race, 1:45 p.m., Grand-Am main event, 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27: Indy Pro Series(tm) race, 10:20 a.m.; Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma, 12:30 p.m. (ESPN) TICKETS: $10-$85, 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. --------------------------- John Cardinale VP of Media/Community Relations Infineon Raceway Highways 37 &121, Sonoma, CA 95476 wk: 707-933-3907 cell: 707-334-9805