Renamed after its sponsors in 2002 Infineon Raceway was formerly known as Sears Point Raceway and is a 2.52 mile road course and drag strip. It is situated on a landform known as Sears Point in the southern Sonoma Mountains in Northern California. It is one of just two road courses on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and certainly tests the skills of the drivers with its complex series of twists and turns that go up and down the hills. After Riverside International Raceway was closed in 1988 NASCAR were looking for another venue to host a west cost event and Infineon was chosen. The facility is host to many other auto and motorcycle races including the Indy Racing League and the American Federation of Motorcyclists series and is owned and operated by Speedway Motorsports, Inc. The track was first opened in 1968 and is a 2.52 mile road course which has twelve turns, of which turns two and three are notable for their banking on the drivers right hand side, providing a challenge as turn two would normally have the drivers moving to the left side of the course. The track was modified in 1998 when “The Chute” was added, replacing turns five and six, the Carousel, and shortening the course to 1.95 miles. As it was built principally to increase speeds and promote competition for stock cars “The Chute” is only used for NASCAR events such as the Toyota/Save Mart 350 and is not particularly popular with the drivers who mostly prefer the full course. It was replaced by the 70 degree turn, 4A making the track 1.99 mile long as it stands today. The race length is 110 laps (218.9 miles). The Raceway has a permanent seating capacity of 47,000, including the grandstands and the terraces around the track but during major races hospitality tents and other stages can be erected around the track bringing a total seating capacity to 102,000. In 2004 the service was expanded to include 64,000 hillside seats, 10,000 permanent grandstand seats, a waste water treatment facility, 100 acres of restored wetlands, permanent garages, new retail space, a go-kart track and a new drag strip.
Tickets
From the ticket office: 800-870-RACE. Online: Buy tickets or Ticketmaster. Pre-race pit and track passes: Available for sale. Call 800-870-RACE for information. Fan hospitality & special packages: Call 800-870-RACE or visit track site.
Carry-In Items
Coolers: Allowed (15"x15"x15" limit). Glass containers: Not allowed.
Alcoholic beverages
Not allowed. Cameras: Allowed.
Souvenirs and Displays
Merchandise: Driver, NASCAR and SMI merchandise haulers on-site. Scanners: Scanners available for rent on-site.
Autographs
Check local newspapers, TV and track Web site; drivers rarely available on race day.
Pit Area Guidelines
Pre-race pit and track passes are available for sale; call 800-870-RACE for information. Must wear closed-toe shoes, long pants and a shirt with sleeves to access pit areas. NASCAR dress code in the garage and cold pits now includes shorts, short-sleeve/sleeveless shirts and open-toed shoes. Note: The rule will not apply to hot pits.
Camping
Reserved: Available; call 800-870-RACE for further information.
Associated Driving Schools
Jim Russell Racing Drivers School - 800-733-0345 Web site. For drag racing: 800-870-RACE Web site
Parking
Disbled parking: Available; permit required. (Note: Infineon Raceway provides a free shuttle service to and from major parking and seating areas.)
Location
From Highway 101: Follow Highway 101 north or south to Highway 37 East. Follow 37 East to the intersection of Highway 121. Turn left at the stop light onto Highway 121. Infineon Raceway is 1 mile ahead on the left at Gate 7.
From Highway 80: Follow Highway 80 to Highway 37 West. Follow 37 West to the intersection of Highway 121. Turn right at the stop light onto Highway 121. Infineon Raceway is 1 mile ahead on the left at Gate 7. (Note: From Highway 80, traffic narrows to a two-lane highway as it crosses over a marshy area and can get congested.)
Parking: Free parking: Available. Premium reserved parking: Available for purchase.
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