[ad_1]
SONOMA, California (September 29, 2018) – Sonoma Raceway will return to the historic 12-lap, 2.52-mile circuit for the NASCAR 2019 Toyota / Save Mart 350 race weekend as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations. anniversary, Circuit officials announced today.
The full course of the track, which was unveiled at the opening of the circuit in 1968, incorporates the downward bend known as "The Carousel". The carousel plunges from Turn 4 to Turns 5 and 6 and navigates a radius of more than 200 degrees before falling on the longest straight of the circuit in the hairpin of Turn 7.
"The Carousel is a corner where the story was made and, as we celebrate the half-century of track history in 2019, we are excited to reintroduce this signature on the Sonoma Raceway," said Steve President , president of Sonoma Raceway. General manager. "We are looking forward to seeing a new generation of riders face this difficult turn and create moments that fans will remember in 50 years."
The Carousel has been the scene of many memorable moments in the history of the circuit, including the critical passage of Dale Earnhardt in 1995 by Mark Martin, which resulted in the first victory of the Intimidator on the NASCAR road course.
"Innovation and exceeding expectations are part of SMI's DNA, and fans and drivers have been talking about it for years and we are excited to introduce it to them, especially as part of the 50th anniversary of the track, "said Marcus Smith, CEO of Speedway Motorsports, Inc.
NASCAR used the full 12-lap course, starting with its first race of the Pacific Coast's Late Models Division at Sears Point Raceway in 1969, through numerous Cup Series, West Series, Southwest Series and Truck Series events. until 1997. a shorter configuration of 1.99 mile, using a derivation connecting turns 4 and 7, known as "The Chute". The Toyota / Save Mart 350 2019 is expected to run 85 laps and the race distance will remain 350 kilometers.
"The carousel adds a technical aspect to the track, which will be a challenge for the drivers, I look forward to the FOX broadcasts of the race weekend next year and will analyze how the teams are facing. this new challenge, "said Gordon. five times Sonoma winner.
The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series returns to Sonoma Raceway for the Toyota / Save Mart 350 2019, June 21-23. Sonoma Raceway will celebrate its 50 year season throughout the year and will announce additional projects in the coming months. For more information on upcoming race events or to obtain tickets for 2019, visit www.sonomaraceway.com or call 800-870-7223.
2019 TOYOTA / SAVE MART 350 IN BRIEF:
When: 21-23 June 2019
Tour: 12-Turn, 2.52-mile Road Tour
Length of the race: 350 kilometers
Number of laps: 85 laps
Last road event: 1997 Save Mart Supermarkets 300; won by Mark Martin
WHAT DRIVERS SAY:
"Bringing the carousel back is not only for races but also for NASCAR in general.In my debut in Sonoma, we raced the Southwest Tour Carousel, Winston West, the trucks and the Cup. Sonoma Raceway is really, and I think it only adds a good piece of the racetrack in the mix, and it will be great for the fans too … and thrilling and see SMI having another story integrated before the start of the season is really exciting. "
– Kevin Harvick, a win (2017) and a series of 18 cups starts in Sonoma
"Wow, the circuit is back to the Carousel? It's amazing. I just missed the Featherlite Southwest Tour races on the old circuit. The first year, I ran in 1998, it was the first year of the Fall, and then they rearranged it to make turns 4 to 7. It's amazing, I always wondered why we had not run the carousel and they said it was because the fans could not see it … it was between the two and you look at the sports car guys do it all the time you look at the Indy cars do it all the time, I thought, well, why are not NASCAR guys doing it? "It's an amazing opportunity with Sonoma Raceway's 50th birthday."
– Kurt Busch, a win (2006) and a series of 18 cups starts in Sonoma
— Sonoma Raceway —
Source link
