SONOMA, Calif. — Sonoma Raceway officials and local fire companies are working to keep wildfires from further encroaching on track property, after fire reached the grounds of the facility overnight.
The 1,600-acre facility was reached by the fires at roughly 3 a.m. Monday morning, according to track officials.
Luckily, management said that at the current point, major track facilities and structures around the 2.52-mile road course and drag strip are not in any imminent danger.
“All of us at Sonoma Raceway extend our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to those who have been touched by the devastating North Bay fires,” said Sonoma Raceway President and General Manager Steve Page in a statement Monday morning. “Our facilities team and a number of local fire companies have been battling grassland fires on Cougar Mountain and elsewhere around our property, and at this point it does not appear any of the raceway’s structures or other facilities are at immediate risk.”
“We appreciate all of the good wishes that have flooded in from friends around the country.”
Sonoma Raceway began hosting the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in 1989, with the first race won by Ricky Rudd in mid-June of that year. Since 1998, the race has traditionally been held as the 16th race of the season, landing on either the penultimate or the final weekend in June.
Retired four-time Cup champion Jeff Gordon is the all-time wins leader in Sonoma history with five victories, including three-in-a-row from 1998 through 2000.
Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick swept both the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West and Cup race this season, becoming the first driver in track history to accomplish the feat.
California Governor Jerry Brown issued an emergency proclamation on Monday, amid the increasing spread of the wildfires that are affecting Sonoma, Napa and Yuba counties.
“These fires have destroyed structures and continue to threaten thousands of homes, necessitating the evacuation of thousands of residents,” said the emergency proclamation. “These fires have damaged and continue to threaten critical infrastructure and have forced the closure of major highways and local roads.”
Strong winds and very dry conditions have led to the quick spread of the blaze, which covers at least 44,000 acres as of Monday morning, according to state officials.
As far as the area at Sonoma Raceway itself that has been affected, Cougar Mountain and other grassy areas around the road course’s hillside property have been scorched in the blaze.
Additional updates on the impact of the wildfires to Sonoma Raceway will be provided from track staff as needed.
About the Writer
Jacob Seelman is the Managing Editor of Race Chaser Online and creator of the Motorsports Madness radio show, airing at 7 p.m. Eastern every Monday on the Performance Motorsports Network.
Seelman grew up in the sport, watching his grandparents co-own the RaDiUs Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team in the 1990s.
The 23-year-old is currently studying Broadcast Journalism at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., and is also serving as the full-time tour announcer for the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series.
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