Speedway distributes money to Sonoma County youth groups

Topping the $400,000 mark for the fourth year in a row, the Infineon Raceway chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities will distribute $417,936 to 57 qualified youth organizations in Sonoma County.
Speedway Children’s Charities, the charitable arm of Speedway Motorsports, Inc., which owns and operates Infineon Raceway, has been a steady funder for children in need, distributing more than $3 million since 2002 to 175 Sonoma County youth groups.
The 2008 contributions were generated through a combination of events held during the raceway’s major event weekends, including the Children’s Champions Grand Marshal’s Banquet and the Race & Rock Charity Auction, which combined to raise more than $95,000. Both were held during the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend in June. The fourth annual Classic Sports Racing Group’s (CSRG) Charity Challenge generated an additional $65,000.
In all, the chapter hosted 10 events in 2008, primarily tied to the raceway’s motor-racing weekends. The chapter also received a donation from Sonic Automotive Corporation, as well as other national funding and individual contributions.
Among the 57 groups that will receive funding from Speedway Children’s Charities in 2008 are Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley, Hanna Boys Center, La Luz Center, Operation Youth, Sonoma Valley Education Foundation, Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance, Valley of the Moon Children’s Foundation, Valley of the Moon Teen Center, Valley of the Moon Teen Parents Support Organization and WillMar Center for Bereaved Children.