Race Fans Can Meet Their Favorite Driver at NASCAR Weekend in Sonoma

The Ride of a Lifetime online auction will give fans the opportunity to sit in the back of the Toyota Tundras that will take drivers like Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart on a parade lap around the twisting road course during pre-event ceremonies prior to the start of the race.

The online auction will begin on Sunday, June 7, at 5 p.m. (PST) and close beginning at 5 p.m. (PST) on Sunday, June 14.

Some of the top drivers slated for the auction are: Johnson, Stewart, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, Carl Edwards, Mark Martin, Ryan Newman, Juan Pablo Montoya and Kasey Kahne. In all, 25 drivers will be up for grabs. For a complete list, visit www.infineonraceway.com.

Proceeds raised from the online auction benefit the Sonoma Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities, the charitable arm of Infineon Raceway.

The opening bid for all drivers is $500, with minimum bid increments of $50. All winning bidders will be allowed on the racetrack during pre-event ceremonies before their memorable ride around the track. The winning bid does not include tickets to the race.

Please visit the following Web-site for complete rules, as well as the chance to bid on your favorite driver beginning June 7: http://foundation.nascar.com/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=1099&srcid=1099

About Speedway Children's Charities

Who We Are

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 obstacle they are facing.

Our History

Speedway Children's Charities was founded by Bruton Smith, Chairman of Speedway Motorsports and Sonic Automotive, as a memoriam and legacy to his son, Bruton Cameron Smith, who passed away at a very young age.

Given his experience, Smith became passionate about wanting to help children in need and Speedway Children's Charities was created focusing on communities surrounding SMI speedways.

"Our sole concern at SCC is to help a child in need," says Smith.

SCC went national in 1982, and throughout the years has grown to funding thousands of organizations

nationwide that help children directly with everything from educational support to the basic need of a coat or a simple meal.

What We Do

Speedway Children's Charities is more than just a fundraiser. Our local chapters are partners in change, working with a broad range of people and organizations to identify and resolve pressing issues dealing with children in their communities.

Because of the unique conditions in every community, the issues Speedway Children's Charities address are determined locally. Challenges ranging from learning disabilities, broken homes, and childhood cancer are on the agenda for the local chapters of SCC and the over 500 non-profit organizations they support.

Although priorities for Speedway Children's Charities are set locally, we have one common goal - to ensure every child in need be given the tools to build a better, brighter and healthy future. Together in 2008, we awarded more than $3.4 million to over 420 organizations.

Speedway Children's Charities

National Organization - Charlotte, NC; www.speedwaycharities.org