Sonoma’s Kneeland celebrates 50th at 80 mph
Sonoma’s Rodd Kneeland, who runs a construction company and is a firefighter for Sonoma Valley Fire and Rescue, celebrated his 50th birthday by taking a 200-mile drive Saturday afternoon. A long-time race car buff, owner. mechanic and driver, he competed for the first time at Sonoma Raceway.
Kneeland started in the 28th position of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series race, moving up ten spots to finish over 18th.
Kneeland has been racing 28 years, primarily on oval tracks. And he’s worked at the Sonoma track as a mechanic and on the fire safety crew, but never competed there.
“It comes down to this,” he told the Napa Rgeister. “I turned 50 this week so I’m stepping out of the box…. It’s about celebrating my 50th birthday with friends and family.”
The race was won by pole sitter Chase Elliott, who passed leader Noah Gragson with three laps remaining.
Sun photos by Scott Knight
