Sonoma - drivers' meeting open to race fans

[Sidewayz]

Got my Tix for the Sonoma race today.. thought I'd share this with others planning on going

SONOMA, Calif. (May 5, 2014) – Race fans who’ve wondered exactly what transpires in the Sunday NASCAR drivers’ meeting can see for themselves during the 2014 Sprint Cup Series weekend at Sonoma Raceway.
For the first time ever in Sonoma, fans will be granted access to the NASCAR drivers’ meeting on Sunday morning, June 22, shortly before the green flag for the Toyota/Save Mart 350. The offer is only available to fans who purchase their Sunday race tickets prior to May 31.
The drivers’ meeting will take place on the road course inside the hairpin at Turn 11, and will offer fans a chance to see all 43 NASCAR drivers, crew chiefs and race dignitaries, as well as a peek into what goes on during this pre-race tradition.
“This is an incredible opportunity for our guests to go behind the curtain on race day and be part of the action,” said Steve Page, president and general manager of Sonoma Raceway. “We are grateful to NASCAR for arranging this special access to Sonoma’s race fans.”
Weekend and single-day tickets are available now for NASCAR’s only stop in Northern California, starting as low as $49 on race day. Get your tickets today for the best value and first-time exclusive access to the NASCAR drivers’ meeting. This offer expires and ticket prices go up on June 1.
For more information, visit www.racesonoma.com/nascar or call 800-870-RACE (7223).

 

[toledo47]

Sonoma was the most fan accessible Cup track that i've been to. K&N garage was completely open and free for fans. If you hang out near the Cup garage area (which is pretty much just blocked off by a fence) you can catch drivers going by on golf carts. They get stopped in traffic jams sometimes and you can get autographs, got Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon and some others like that. A lot of drivers will go up to the fence and sign sometimes. After the race is over you can pretty much go right up to victory lane, Jimmie Johnson was signing over there after he was done taking pictures with the trophy. And a little while later they took down the fence and you could walk back to the garage area. Got Robby Gordons autograph while he was still hanging out in the garage stall with his car. I got all of that with just a normal grandstand ticket, no kinda of special pass/credential at all. Before going there I could never imagine so much fan access at a Cup race. If it wasn't all the way out in California i'd go the that event all the time. Really awesome place.

 

[DanicaFreak]

love road course racing!
Would be very cool to talk to drivers....

 

[dpkimmel2001]

love road course racing!
Would be very cool to talk to drivers....

I don't think they're talking about have a Q&A with the fans/drivers. They'll place all of the fans that are lucky enough to attend behind some barrier, very much restricted from approaching any of the drivers. Who knows, maybe they come over and sign an autograph or two but I'm betting they head straight back to the garage or comfort of their lavish RV's.

 

[Sidewayz]

Here's the image they showed when you purchase the tickets...

 

[ted@economy]

What ? The fans can't go into the garage and chat with the drivers and crew ? How mean is that ? Why can't the fans just sit in the stands and watch the race ? These guys are at work for Pete's sake .

 

[DUN24]

Sonoma was the most fan accessible Cup track that i've been to. K&N garage was completely open and free for fans. If you hang out near the Cup garage area (which is pretty much just blocked off by a fence) you can catch drivers going by on golf carts. They get stopped in traffic jams sometimes and you can get autographs, got Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon and some others like that. A lot of drivers will go up to the fence and sign sometimes. After the race is over you can pretty much go right up to victory lane, Jimmie Johnson was signing over there after he was done taking pictures with the trophy. And a little while later they took down the fence and you could walk back to the garage area. Got Robby Gordons autograph while he was still hanging out in the garage stall with his car. I got all of that with just a normal grandstand ticket, no kinda of special pass/credential at all. Before going there I could never imagine so much fan access at a Cup race. If it wasn't all the way out in California i'd go the that event all the time. Really awesome place.

You have me seriously considering taking a road trip.

 

[toledo47]

You have me seriously considering taking a road trip.

Do it! You wont regret it! Awesome experience at that track! And it's always fun being in California anyway!

 

[Sidewayz]

You have me seriously considering taking a road trip.

It's about midway between San Francisco and Napa, if your married you can do the whole wine country experience, if your single S.F. has tons of hot chicks.. Can't go wrong

 

[DUN24]

It's about midway between San Francisco and Napa, if your married you can do the whole wine country experience, if your single S.F. has tons of hot chicks.. Can't go wrong

I'm born and raised in SoCal, have never been further north along the coast than Santa Barbara, single as ****, Always wanted to check out Sears Point... That could work.

 

[Clutch]

I'm born and raised in SoCal, have never been further north along the coast than Santa Barbara, single as ****, Always wanted to check out Sears Point... That could work.

You need to get out of your shell...I'll meet you in Temecula soon to discuss.

 

[#17D500winner]

What ? The fans can't go into the garage and chat with the drivers and crew ? How mean is that ? Why can't the fans just sit in the stands and watch the race ? These guys are at work for Pete's sake .

Someone must have me blocked because the only way this post makes any sense is if there are others that I'm not seeing.

The only thing I read is a post saying that he could go up to a FENCE to get autographs and another saying that it'd be cool to talk to drivers. I seen nothing about hanging out in the garage.

As for fans staying the stands...seriously? seriously? Nascar is marketed as THE MOST fan friendly sport in the universe yet people should be expected to "just sit in the stands watch the race."

 

[DUN24]

You need to get out of your shell...I'll meet you in Temecula soon to discuss.

LOL. I didn't mean to sound so damn sheltered.. But I have always wanted to drive along PCH thru NorCal. A trip to Sonoma plus all the other exploration would be a blast.

Aren't you an Aussie? Sure do know your SoCal geography.