Wed, 14 Jul 2010, 12:02 PM 4th AutoTrader.com Eric Medlen Nitro Night

Courtesy of John Cardinale Charity Dinner Set for Thursday, July 15

SONOMA, Calif. -- Infineon Raceway will honor the memory of the late Eric Medlen during the 4th annual AutoTrader.com Eric Medlen Nitro Night Charity Dinner at the beautiful Stone Tree Golf Club on Thursday, July 15.

Funny Car drivers Ashley Force Hood (Castrol GTXR Mustang) and Jack Beckman (Valvoline/Mail Terminal Services Dodge) will attend, as will Top Fuel drivers Brandon Bernstein (Copart/Lucas Oil dragster) and Morgan Lucas (GEICO Powersports/Lucas Oil dragster).

Medlen, a native of Oakdale in the San Joaquin Valley, won the Funny Car championship at Infineon Raceway, his home track, in 2006. He succumbed in March, 2007, to injuries sustained from a testing accident. Medlen was a member of John Force Racing.

The event will be hosted at a new location this year, the Stone Tree Golf Club. The scenic golf club is less than five miles from Infineon Raceway in nearby Novato, providing easy access for fans and race teams.

The night will include a no-host cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by a wonderful three-course meal catered by Elaine Bell Catering. Bob Frey, the long-time announcer for the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, will serve as the master of ceremonies for the evening and host a Q&A session with the drivers in attendance. There will also be a charity drawing.

The event, which has been sold-out each of the last three years, typically boasts a healthy contingent from Eric's hometown of Oakdale, including his mother, Mimi, and his father, John, who is the crew chief for Funny Car driver Ron Capps.

Nitro Night also serves as a kick-off to the FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals at Infineon Raceway, July 16-18. This year's event marks the series' 23rd annual visit to the Sonoma Valley and will feature professional competition in the Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle classes.

Tickets for the evening are $125, and include wine/beer and dinner. All proceeds will go to qualified youth groups in Sonoma County in Eric's name through Speedway Children's Charities, the charitable arm of Infineon Raceway.

To reserve your seat for the dinner, contact Denise Silver at 707-933-3950 or dsilver@infineonraceway.com.

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