IndyCar Series Returns to Sonoma in 2007

SONOMA, Calif. The IndyCar(r) Series will return to Northern California in 2007 with the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma County at Infineon Raceway, series and raceway officials announced today. The race will be held on Sunday, Aug. 26, and will be one of three permanent road-course events for the IndyCar(r) Series in 2007.

"In just two years, Infineon Raceway has become a significant destination for our drivers and teams," said Brian Barnhart, president and chief operating officer of the Indy Racing League, the sanctioning body of the IndyCar(r) Series. "We look forward to working with (Infineon Raceway president and general manager) Steve Page and his staff to continue to grow this event and give us a significant presence in the Northern California market."

The IndyCar(r) Series made its debut on the 12-turn, 2.26-mile road course located at the gateway to the Sonoma Valley in 2005, marking the first permanent road course event in the series' history and the first major Indy-style race in 35 years at Infineon Raceway.

History was made again in 2006 when 19-year-old Marco Andretti claimed the victory on the road course to become the youngest driver to ever win a major open-wheel event.

"The sound of IndyCar(r) Series cars rumbling through the hills has become an instant tradition in the Sonoma Valley," Page said. "We look forward to welcoming the stars of the Indianapolis 500 back to Infineon Raceway next summer."

The Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma County will also feature a doubleheader of Indy Pro Series(tm) events. The Indy Pro Series will return for the third consecutive year and will feature events on Aug. 25 and Aug. 26.

The action-packed weekend will also feature the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series, presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve, on Aug. 25. The Grand-Am Series made its Sonoma Valley debut in 2006, with Scott Pruett and Luis Diaz (CompUSA Lexus/Riley) taking the win in the premier Daytona Prototype class.

The IndyCar(r) Series has announced the following events for 2007:

March 24 - Homestead-Miami Speedway

April 1 - Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla.

April 21 - Twin Ring Motegi

April 29 - Kansas Speedway

May 27 - Indianapolis Motor Speedway

June 3 - The Milwaukee Mile

June 9 - Texas Motor Speedway

June 24 - Iowa Speedway

June 30 - Richmond International Raceway

July 8 - Watkins Glen International

July 14 - Nashville Superspeedway

July 22 - Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

Aug. 11 - Kentucky Speedway

Aug. 26 - Infineon Raceway

Sept. 2 - Raceway at Belle Isle

Sept. 9 - Chicagoland Speedway