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TRACKS: NASCAR Highlights 2001 Schedule at Sears Point Raceway

11 October 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
SONOMA, Calif. - The 13th annual visit by the NASCAR Winston Cup Series highlights what promises to be the most dynamic season ever as Sears Point Raceway offers Northern California fans the most diverse schedule of motor racing in a dramatically upgraded facility.

In addition to the NASCAR stars, the Sears Point road course will be challenged by the top competitors of motorcycle, sports car and vintage car racing. The raceway's quarter mile drag strip will also feature a full season of action, including the 14th annual NHRA Nationals.

The 2001 season will also offer fans improved access and amenities as Sears Point unveils the first phase of a $35 million modernization plan that will transform the facility into one of the premier motorsports and entertainment venues in the world.

"The 2001 season will be unlike any in the history of this facility," said raceway president Steve Page. "The action on track will once again cross the spectrum of professional and amateur motor racing. And this year our fans can enjoy that action in a vastly improved raceway environment."

Some of the Phase One amenities fans, sponsors and competitors can expect for the 2001 season include 34,000 hillside terrace seats alongside Turns 2-4, dramatically expanded entrance and access roads to reduce traffic congestion around the raceway, shuttle routes to transport fans around the property and 32 garages for racing competitors. An additional 12 more garages will be built in during Phase Two, which will begin at the conclusion of the 2001 season. The entire $35 million project will be complete by the 2002 season.

The pinnacle of the new racing season will be the Winston Cup event, June 21-24.

  • 2000 Season Schedule:
  • Sonomafest: April 27-May 6
  • Vintage Motorcycle Days West: April 27-29
  • AMA Superbike Challenge: May 4-6
  • Chrysler-Jeep Wine Country Classic Vintage Races : May 18-20
  • NASCAR Winston Cup Weekend: June 21-24
  • NHRA Festival of Fire: June 29-30, July 1
  • American Le Mans Series Grand Prix of Sonoma: July 20-22
  • NHRA Nationals: August 3-5

The 2001 season will officially roar to life April 27 with Sonomafest. This 10-day festival will celebrate all elements of motorcycling, from racing on Sears Point's twisting road course to group rides around the scenic Sonoma Valley to area kick-off parties. If it's a classic Harley-Davidson you're interested in or a modern-day Kawasaki, Sonomafest will be the ticket.

Festivities get under way April 27-29 with the 5th annual Vintage Motorcycle Days West, which features the country's finest vintage road bikes on Sears Point's 12-turn 2.52-mile road course. Vintage motocross, a huge fan favorite a year ago, will also return with a much bigger spotlight. Center stage will be occupied the following weekend, May 4-6, by the high-speed stars of the AMA Chevy Trucks Superbike Series.

The Chrysler-Jeep Wine Country Classic Vintage Car Races return May 18-20. A favorite of classic car and wine aficionados alike, this event features some of the world's most exotic vintage automobiles such as Ferrari, Jaguar and Maserati. In addition, the Turn 2 Food and Wine Pavilion will delight your palate with gourmet dishes and some of the best wines from the rich Sonoma Valley.

Following NASCAR, big-time drag racing will return to Sears Point with the NHRA Festival of Fire, June 29-30 and July 1. Federal-Mogul dragsters and funny cars will highlight a field of more than 400 competitors on the world famous quarter-mile drag strip. The weekend will also feature the North Bay's largest fireworks show and a country barbecue.

The American Le Mans Series returns for a third consecutive year, July 20-22, with its high-speed exotic sports cars such as Audi, BMW, Panoz, Dodge Viper and Chevrolet Corvette.

The season concludes Aug. 3-5 with the raw speed and power of the NHRA Nationals. Top Fuel star Doug Kalitta will attempt to win for the fourth consecutive year, while Funny Car pilot John Force looks for his second straight at Sears Point.

For ticket information, please call the ticket office at (800) 870-RACE (7223), or visit www.gospeedway.com and link to Sears Point Raceway.

Text Provided By John Cardinale

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.