Jerry Rice Named Grand Marshal of Toyota/Save Mart 350

NFL Legend Jerry Rice Named Grand Marshal of Toyota/Save Mart 350 at
Infineon Raceway           

SONOMA, Calif. (May 31, 2007) - Jerry Rice, the greatest wide receiver
in NFL history, has been named Grand Marshal of the Toyota/Save Mart 350
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series weekend at Infineon Raceway, June 22-24.

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.

"This will be a new experience for me and I'm really looking forward to
it," Rice said. "I've never been to a NASCAR race but I understand it is
quite an experience. I'm honored to be grand marshal of the race weekend
and I'm looking forward to the event."

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. Some of his accomplishments include:

*         All-time receptions leader (1,549)

*         Most consecutive games with one reception (274)

*         Most career yards gained by a wide receiver (22,895)

*         Most games with 100 yards receiving (76)

*         Most career touchdowns (197)

         Rice, who has also gained notoriety for his skills on the hit
show "Dancing With the Stars," was also selected to the Pro Bowl 13
times and was recently inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame.

         "Jerry Rice is one of the most respected and beloved athletes
in the history of Northern California sports and without question, the
greatest receiver in the history of the NFL," said Steve Page, president
and general manager at Infineon Raceway. "We are very excited to include
Jerry in all of this year's NASCAR festivities and I know it will be a
huge treat for our fans."

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

        This will mark the first-ever NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race that Rice
has attended.

        "I understand it's a pretty big adrenaline rush watching these
stock cars race around the track, and it should be even more exciting on
the Infineon Raceway road course," Rice said. "It's going to be a great
weekend."

       To reserve a table at the Raceway Builder's Grand Marshal's
Banquet during NASCAR weekend, contact Denise Silver at 
dsilver@infineonraceway.com or 707-933-3950.

 

###

 

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

Aug. 24-26