Molecule Formula Car Challenge Added to Indy® Grand Prix of Sonoma Weekend

This will mark the first time the Formula Car Challenge Series will be paired with the IZOD IndyCar® Series at the Sonoma Valley facility. It will add to an action-packed race weekend, which also boasts the Firestone Indy Lights Series, as well as the Historic Grand Prix. The Formula Car Challenge Series, which enters its sixth season in 2010, will host a 35-minute timed race, likely to be held on Saturday, Aug. 21.

Series officials expect more than 30 entrants for the Sonoma race, including San Francisco native and two-time series champion Patrick O'Neill (O'Neill Construction). Other possible competitors include national Formula Mazda champion and Walnut Creek native Michael Gausch (Phenom Racing Group); 2005 and 2006 champion Stan Kohls (World Speed Motorsports), who began his racing career at the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School, based at Infineon Raceway; as well as Saratoga's Andy Brown, who drives for the Sonoma-based World Speed Motorsports team.

“Many of the drivers have been asking us if we could get on this schedule as this is the premier open wheel event on the West Coast,” said Ben Hettema, series official for the Formula Car Challenge. "Infineon Raceway has been kind enough to offer us a slot in the schedule, and we intend to put on a great show for the race fans and work with the IZOD IndyCar Series and Infineon Raceway so that we can hopefully make this an annual event.”

The Formula Car Series will feature practice and qualifying on Friday, Aug. 20, with the main event likely scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 21. For tickets, call 800-870-RACE or visit www.infineonraceway.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

The Formula Car Challenge is a multiple-region National Auto Sport Association (NASA)-sanctioned series, featuring a multi-class format of open-wheel racecars. The west coast region, sponsored by Molecule Nomex Care Products, will host an eight-race schedule in 2010. For more information, visit www.FormulaCarChallenge.com.