Eric Medlen Dinner Kicks Off NHRA Sonoma Nationals




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Eric Medlen Nitro Night Dinner
Race weekend kicked off last night at the 9th annual Eric Medlen Nitro Night dinner at the Bay Club Stone Tree in Novato. All proceeds from the evening, which raised more than $32,250, benefit Sonoma County youth groups through the Sonoma chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities in Medlen’s name.

A number of popular NHRA personalities highlighted the evening, including Jack Beckman, Ron Capps, Richie Crampton, Larry Dixon, Brittany Force, Courtney Force, Ashley Force Hood, Scotty Pollacheck and J.R. Todd. More than 100 attendees turned out for the dinner, including Medlen’s mother, Mimi, and his father, John.

Highlights of the evening included a wine and hors d’ oeuvres reception sponsored by First Republic Bank, a Texas Hold’em-style charity poker tournament, presented by McDonald’s/Costa Organization. The evening closed out with a live auction for a custom, engraved wine bottle and a hand-painted picture of Eric Medlen, which generated a total of $10,000.

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Ron Capps to be Inducted into Sonoma Raceway Wall of Fame

Funny Car driver Ron Capps will be inducted into the Sonoma Raceway Wall of Fame on Sunday during pre-race ceremonies. Capps, a native of San Luis Obispo, has four Funny Car victories in Sonoma (1997, 2010, 2011 and 2013), and two runner-up finishes. Capps grew up drag racing throughout California, including Baylands Raceway and Lions Drag Strip, before making his first start at then-Sears Point Raceway in 1994. His on-track statistics tell only a portion of the story, as Capps has become an active supporter of the Sonoma chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities.

Northern California drag racers to compete at NHRA Sonoma Nationals: Local racers are slated to compete at the NHRA Sonoma Nationals, including: Jeffrey Diehl (Salinas, Funny Car); Joey Grose (Lodi, Pro Stock); Anthony Vanetti (Elk Grove, Pro Stock Motorcycle); Lance Bonham (Sunnyvale, Pro Stock Motorcycle); Don Durham (San Pablo, Super Stock); Alan Freese (Salinas, Super Stock); Rich Pinoski (Placerville, Super Stock); Randy Loge (Antioch, Super Stock); Mark Vieira (Turlock, Super Stock); Bruce Lippstreu (Fairfield, Super Stock); Jim Rau (Sacramento, Super Stock); Barry Polley (Benicia, Stock Eliminator); Nanette Bosworth (Brentwood, Stock Elminator); Kyle Seipel (Pleasanton, Stock Eliminator); Steve Wann (Modesto, Stock Eliminator); Glenn Kern (Modesto, Super Comp); Joseph Cream (Santa Rosa, Super Comp); Christopher Cook (Napa, Super Comp); Danny Valadez (San Anselmo, Super Comp); Jack Freckman (Woodacre, Super Comp); Stephanie Warn-Skaggs (Danville, Super Comp); Steve Wellman (Petaluma, Super Comp); among others.

Eric Medlen Ice Cream Social

Race fans are invited to honor the memory of the late Eric Medlen and enjoy a complimentary scoop of ice cream following final eliminations on Sunday. All ice cream was donated by Save Mart Supermarkets, and fans are encouraged to make a donation to Speedway Children’s Charities.

Diana Brennan




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