Motorsports: Sonoma Raceway releases statement on North Bay wildfires

By Asher Fair | Oct 9, 2017

SONOMA, CA - OCTOBER 09: An out of control wildfire approaches Gundlach Bundschu winery on October 9, 2017 in Sonoma, California. Ten people have died in wildfires that have burned tens of thousands of acres and destroyed over 1,500 homes and businesses in several Northen California counties. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) /

The North Bay wildfires, which have already claimed multiple lives, appeared to threaten Sonoma Raceway. Here is what the track president and general manager had to say about the matter.

Sonoma Raceway, which hosts one race per season in both the NASCAR Cup Series and in the IndyCar Series, is located in Sonoma, California, and it appeared to be threatened by the nearby North Bay wildfires that have raged across the northern part of the state, claiming multiple lives and thousands of homes and acres in the process.

However, at this very moment, it would appear as though the track has thankfully not been damaged by the wildfires, although this is unfortunately subject to change still

Here is what the track president and general manager Steve Page had to say about the North Bay fires in general in addition to in regard to the track.

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"“All of us at Sonoma Raceway extend our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to those who have been touched by the devastating North Bay fires. 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.”"

NASCAR races on the 10-turn, 1.99-mile version of the natural terrain road course, while IndyCar races on the 12-turn, 2.385-mile version of it each season, doing so for the championship finale in each of the past three seasons.

Kevin Harvick won the Cup Series race at the track in late June this past season, while Simon Pagenaud won the IndyCar race at the track in mid-September while Josef Newgarden sealed his first career championship at the track with a 2nd place result.

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We will continue to monitor the situation in regard to these fires in general as well as their potential effect on Sonoma Raceway in addition to the potential implications they may have on the track in the long run. Hopefully things will only get better and the track will not be harmed by the fires and everyone else will stay safe as well.