Sonoma Raceway notes: IndyCar finale to determine season champion

SONOMA - Alexander Rossi appeared poised for a top-five run during last weekend's Verizon IndyCar Series race in Portland, but the Grass Valley native's promising day didn't pan out.

Rossi led the most laps in Sunday's Grand Prix of Portland, but a poorly timed caution resulted in him pitting while others stayed out, and he finished eighth while points leader Scott Dixon finished fifth.

“I hadn't made a pit stop yet, and the guys that were running in the second half of the field did make a pit stop, so they got what we call a ‘lucky' yellow, so they were basically able to stop without losing any time,” Rossi said. “I had to come in and cycle to the back and lost all the track position.”

Rossi said the yellow flag also helped Scott Dixon get back to the front after being involved in an accident and being assessed a penalty.

“It's just part of the way it goes sometimes,” Rossi said. “I've been on the right end of that in the past and it's just this time I wasn't.”

Rossi is 29 points behind Dixon heading into the season finale that offers double points.

Sonoma test

Team Penske, Rahal Letterman Racing and Harding Racing teams took part in a test session at Sonoma Raceway on Thursday. Penske has won seven of the last 13 races at Sonoma, including last year's race with Josef Newgarden.

“We've always tried to prioritize the finale for a test that's big for us,” Newgarden said in a statement. “... I don't think you can underestimate anyone now. You've got to be on the lookout for people improving.”

Andretti Autosport, Chip Ganassi Racing, Carlin and Harding racing teams will also be testing at Sonoma next Thursday.

The test sessions are among the final track time for IndyCars at the Wine Country raceway, which hosts its final IndyCar race for the considerable future next month. The series has decided to move its final series date to Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey County next year and Sonoma Raceway didn't match or beat the central California raceway's offer.

The series visits Sonoma Raceway Sept. 13-16. For tickets, visit SonomaRaceway.com.

Blood drive

The public is invited to the American Red Cross Hinchcliffe 100 Blood Drive next Thursday at Sonoma Raceway from noon to 6 p.m. The first 100 people to register will get a free general admission ticket to Sunday's race.

Driver James Hinchliffe's blood drive comes after the IndyCar driver received 22 pints of blood - around twice the volume for an average person - following a severe crash during practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2015.

“It took something like what happened to me for me to understand the problem,” Hinchcliffe said in a statement.

IndyCar STEM Day

Speedway Children's Charities is teaming up with the raceway and Verizon to offer STEM Day for eligible kids during IndyCar weekend.

Kids who register will be able to build a balloon-powered race car which they will also get to race. The goal of the event is to get children to understand the science, technology, engineering and mathematics behind racing.

Those participating will also be able to ask engineers and others from various IndyCar teams about their knowledge and can go on a pit tour.

One adult, guardian or chaperone will receive a ticket for each pre-registered child, ages 5-12. The event will run from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15. For more information and to register, visit www.speedwaycharities.org/events/sonoma/verizon-stem-day-at-the-raceway/registration.

Grand Prix salute tix

Track officials said the Grand Prix Salute, a charity dinner benefiting Speedway Children's Charities and the Michael Andretti Foundation on Friday, Sept. 14, is currently sold out.

Drag racing results

There will be no Wednesday night drags next week as IndyCar visits the raceway.

Wednesday nights

The Wednesday Night Drags program runs almost every Wednesday. Currently in its 30th year, it runs from March 14-Nov. 4. Fans can race their vehicles down the quarter-mile drag strip in a controlled environment away from city streets. Gates open at 3:30 p.m. with racing from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Competitors must have a driver's license to compete, their car must pass a technical inspection and all vehicles must have mufflers. Up to 300 cars are allowed to enter.

Running alongside the drags will be Sonoma Drift, where pros and amateurs can swing wheels to perfect their drifting techniques.

With IndyCar visiting the raceway for testing and its season finale this week and next, Wednesday Night Drags will resume on Sept. 19.