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Community Involvement
Speedway Children's Charities
The mission of Speedway Children's Charities remains true to the ideals it was founded upon in 1982: To care for children in educational, financial, social and medical need in order to help them lead productive lives. SCC provides funding for hundreds of non-profit organizations throughout the nation that meet the direct needs of children. Our vision is that every child has the same opportunities no matter what obstacles they are facing. The Sonoma Chapter has distributed more than $2.6 million to Sonoma County youth organizations since 2002, including a one-year record of $554,045 in 2005. Some of the groups that benefit from the Sonoma Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities include Bob Burke's Kids, Grandparents Parenting Again, the Valley of the Moon Boys and Girls Club, Sonoma Valley Education Foundation, Willmar Center for Bereaved Children and Giant Steps Equestrian Center, among others. SCC has touched the lives of Sonoma County children from more than 150 youth organizations. The raceway also embarks on a number of community-based initiatives each year, several of which are fast-approaching. Below you'll find brief descriptions of these upcoming events and how you can help. Stay tuned to infineonraceway.com for specific updates on each event as they become available. 2008-2009 Community Events 8th annual Thanksgiving Food Drive, Nov. 3-21, 2008
Please join us in collecting food for the less fortunate this holiday season with the 8th annual Infineon Raceway Thanksgiving Food Drive, Nov. 3-Nov. 21. People are encouraged to drop off non-perishable food items at several designated locations including Mary's Pizza Shack locations (Boyes Hot Springs, Novato, Petaluma, Sonoma), Destination RKA in Windsor, the Petaluma Fire Department, the Petaluma Chamber of Commerce and Infineon Raceway. All of the non-perishable food items collected will be given to the Committee on the Shelterless (COTS) in Petaluma and Friends in Sonoma Helping (FISH) in Sonoma. The annual food drive has generated more than 11,000 pounds of food since its inception in 2000, including 2,300 pounds in 2007. Children's Holiday Toy Drive and Christmas Party, Nov. 17-Dec. 8, 2008
Infineon Raceway will partner with several Sonoma Valley youth groups this holiday season for the 6th annual High-Powered Toy Drive. All items collected during the toy drive will be given to needy children at the "Race to the Holidays Christmas Party" at Infineon Raceway on Saturday, Dec. 13. People are encouraged to drop-off new, unwrapped toys between Nov. 17-Dec. 8 at one of several locations in Sonoma, including Infineon Raceway.
NHRA Tour de Charity, March 2009
Infineon Raceway will host the 7th annual "NHRA Tour de Charity" on its 16-turn, three-quarter mile kart track in March 2009. The first 50 fans who register will have a reserved seat in the action-packed day. The event includes a day of karting with top drivers from the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, autographs, lunch and the chance to compete in a 10-lap timed race for a grand prize. All proceeds benefit Speedway Children's Charities, which serves needy youth organizations in Sonoma County. For more information, please contact Denise Silver at (707) 933-3950 or dsilver@infineonraceway.com.
AMA Charity Auction, May 17, 2009
Signed memorabilia from top AMA road-race motorcycle stars are up for grabs at the 6th annual AMA Motorcycle Charity Auction. The auction will take place on Sunday of the Kawasaki AMA Showdown weekend at Infineon Raceway, May 17. More than $35,000 has been raised for Speedway Children's Charities the first five years of the auction combined. Vintage Race Car Festival, May 30, 2009
The 17th annual Vintage Race Car Festival returns to the Sonoma Plaza on Saturday, May 30, to benefit youth groups in Sonoma County through Speedway Children's Charities, the charitable arm of Infineon Raceway. Locals and race fans alike will enjoy samplings from more than 20 Sonoma Valley purveyors. While enjoying the local delicacies, attendees can enjoy a stroll around the Sonoma Plaza and an up-close look at more than 30 vintage race cars from the Wine Country Classic Historic Car Races, which will be held at Infineon Raceway, May 30-31. For tickets to the Vintage Race Car Festival, call 800-870-RACE. Wine Country Pavilion, May 30-31, 2009
With the purchase of a ticket to the 23rd annual Wine Country Classic event at Infineon Raceway, fans are granted access to the Wine Country Pavilion, which features samplings from several of the finest wineries and restaurants from the Sonoma and Napa valleys. A portion off each event ticket will benefit Speedway Children's Charities. Children's Champions NASCAR Grand Marshal's Banquet, June 19, 2009
The Children's Champions Grand Marshal's Banquet is held on Friday night of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekend at beautiful Cline Cellars in Sonoma. The evening includes a reception and sit-down dinner, the introduction of the Infineon Raceway NASCAR Grand Marshal as well as some of the top NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers. The event generated $95,000 for Speedways Children's Charities in 2008.
NASCAR Race-n-Rock Charity Auction, June 21, 2009
Join us on Sunday of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event in the Wine Country Winner's Circle for the 2009 Race-n-Rock Charity Auction. Last year, the top-selling item at the charity auction was a custom Snap-on Tools toolbox, which netted $8,200. A one-of-a-kind designed helmet by artist David Arrigo was the second top item ($7,200). The helmet featured five-time Infineon Raceway champion Jeff Gordon, who signed it, as well as the 40th anniversary of the raceway. The auction generated $56,000 for Speedway Children's Charities.
Eric Medlen Nitro Night at the Fior d' Italia Restaurant, July 23, 2009
The Eric Medlen Nitro Night is held in advance of the FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals at Infineon Raceway (July 24-26) and recognizes the life of Medlen, who was from nearly Oakdale and called Infineon Raceway his home track. Medlen, who competed in Funny Car for John Force Racing, succumbed in March, 2007, to injuries sustained from an accident during a test session at Gainesville (Fla.). Medlen attended the inaugural event in 2006, and the event was renamed in his honor in 2007. The evening features several star drivers from the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, a sit-down dinner at the Fior d'Italia restaurant in historic North Beach, and a raffle with one-of-a-kind items. For tickets, contact Denise Silver, dsilver@infineonraceway.com or (707) 933-3950. Eric Medlen Ice Cream Social, July 26, 2009
Race fans are also invited to honor Medlen's memory during the 3rd annual Eric Medlen Ice Cream Social, which will take place on the race surface following the final round of eliminations on Sunday, July 26. Medlen was a lover of ice cream, and the raceway has teamed with Dreyer's Ice Cream to make this event possible. Each fan will be treated to a free scoop. Fans are encouraged to make a donation to the Eric Medlen Scholarship Fund while they are enjoying their ice cream. Infineon Raceway will match up to $4,500 in donations, and the scholarship will be awarded in Medlen's name to an Infineon Raceway high school bracket drag racer.
Children's Champions IndyCar Banquet, Aug. 21, 2009
The Children's Champions IndyCar Banquet will be held at BR Cohn Winery on Friday evening of the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma County weekend at Infineon Raceway (Aug. 21-23). Last year, the event generated $10,100 for Speedway Children's Charities. The banquet, which was held at B.R. Cohn Winery in Glen Ellen, featured IndyCar® Series drivers Enrique Bernoldi and Jaime Camara and Grand-Am Series drivers Memo Gidley and Brad Jaeger, as well as a three-course dinner. For more information about the banquet, contact Denise Silver, dsilver@infineonraceway.com or (707) 933-3950.
IndyCar Series Charity Auction, Aug. 23, 2009
The IndyCar Series Charity Auction, which is held on Sunday morning of the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma County, generated $6,985 for Speedway Children's Charities in 2008. More than 20 items were featured in the auction, including the chance to ride with 17 different drivers during driver introductions. Top sellers included a Helio Castroneves signed poster ($700), the Helio Castroneves Dream Package ($675) and the Danica Patrick Dream Package ($675). The dream packages included a lap with each of the drivers, as well as an all-access pass to watch pre-race ceremonies and driver introductions prior to the drop of the green flag. The auction will once again take place in the Wine Country Winner's Circle on Sunday of the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma County weekend, Aug. 21-23, prior to driver introductions.
High Speed Blood Drive, September 2009
You can fill your need for speed and donate blood to the American Red Cross at Infineon Raceway's annual High Speed Blood Drive. Every donor who comes to Infineon Raceway will receive a "hot lap" around the world-famous 12-turn road course by a professional instructor from the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School before giving blood. It's a perfect day! For information about the blood drive, contact Diana Brenna at dbrennan@infineonraceway.com or (707) 933-3918.
Classic Sports Racing Group Charity Challenge, September 25-27, 2009
Each year, the Classic Sports Racing Group (CSRG) donates all proceeds from their Charity Challenge weekend to the Sonoma Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities. The weekend features vintage racing as well as several charity events. Stay tuned for more information about the 2009 CSRG Charity Challenge at Infineon Raceway. If you would like more information about the Sonoma Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities, please contact Denise Silver at (707) 933-3950 or dsilver@infineonraceway.com. 
About Speedway Children's Charities.
Speedway Children's Charities is a non-profit organization with the purpose of raising funds to be distributed to qualified children's organizations that meet the direct needs of children with medical, educational or social challenges. Founded in 1984 by O. Bruton Smith, chairman of Speedway Motorsports Inc., Speedway Children's Charities originated at Lowe's Motor Speedway in North Carolina. Nationally, there are eight chapters of SCC around the country, with six residing at Speedway Motorsports Inc. tracks, including: Infineon Raceway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway and Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte.
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