Great Race Weekend At Sonoma Raceway #badasswilson

Scott Dixon celebrates atop his car after winning the IndyCar Grand Prix of Sonoma
and IndyCar championship on Aug. 30, 2015, in Sonoma, Calif. (AP Photo)

NASCAR Race Mom had a great race weekend at Sonoma Raceway.

Just six days after driver, Justin Wilson, was killed after a freak crash at Pocono Raceway, the racing community and Sonoma Raceway embraced the Wilson Family with numerous tributes to its fallen hero.

“Thanks for everyone who has reached out with support and the amazing tributes everyone has been paying,” Stefan Wilson (Justin’s younger brother) expressed. “I’m very, very grateful to all of the support shown to Justin’s family. That was his No. 1 priority to take care of his daughters. That has become my priority as well. I expected a few T-shirt sales - not a few thousands. It’s been overwhelming the support everyone has shown for their future.”

Among those who are reaching out to support Wilson’s widow, Julia, and young daughters, Jane and Jessica, is American Honda and Honda Performance Development.

American Honda and HPD will contribute $50 per lap completed at Sonoma by each of the 13 Honda entries at this weekend’s race for a possible donation of just over $55,000 to the Wilson Children’s’ Fund.

INDYCAR paid tributes to Justin Wilson before the ‘Go Pro Grand Prix of Sonoma’ included a tribute video, special signage for the children’s fund, and sky writing pilots drawing No. 25 in the sky above Sonoma Raceway.

Not to be denied, Scott Dixon’s season finale win propelled him into the points lead for his fourth IndyCar championship. Juan Pablo Montoya, who had led the standings from the season-opener until the final lap of the year, suddenly found himself tied in the point standings. The tie and title went to Dixon based on number of wins: Sunday was Dixon's third of the season, while Montoya only had two!

Equally as exciting was the Formula Car Challenge’s returning to Sonoma Raceway after a year hiatus. This series took center stage at the Sonoma Raceway with its double race format featuring Pro Mazda (PFM), FormulaSPEED (FS2.0), and Formula Mazda (FM). Competitors from around the country convened at the Northern California facility to compete alongside the IndyCar Finale! 

Race 1 Results (August 28, 2015)

PFM

1. Hunter Pickett
2. Jaden Conwright
3. Cabot Bigham

FS2.0

1. Michael Avansino
2. Robin Shute
3. Cameron Parsons

FM

1. Joseph Burton-Harris
2. Tazio Ottis
3. Bill Weaver

Race 2 Results (August 29, 2015)

PFM

1. Cabot Bigham
2. Hunter Pickett
3. Jaden Conwright

FS2.0

1. Michael Avansino
2. Daniel Swanbeck
3. Cameron Parsons

FM

1. Joseph Burton-Harris
2. Tazio Ottis
3. Bill Weaver

The INDYCAR community has embraced the Wilson Family during this tragic time following the death of 37-year-old Justin.  Wilson earned seven IndyCar race wins in an American career that started in 2004.

NASCAR Race Mom was honored to be able to stop by and signed the Justin Wilson
flag on display in the IndyCar Fan Village. ‪#‎BadAssWilson‬ Rest In Peace

What You Give Will Grow - 'Wigs For Kids'

You never know what you will learn at a racetrack. However, even NASCAR Race Mom was surprised when she arrived at the famous 2.31-mile, 12-turn road course in Sonoma, California for the “GoPro Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma” weekend.

It all started in May 2010 and it started as a superstition. Thomas Morstead is an American football punter and kickoff specialist for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Saints 164th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. He never ever gets his hair cut during the season. Days before the 2011 training camp, he had the pleasure of having dinner with the Gleason family.

For those of you who don't know, Steve Gleason is responsible for the greatest play in Saint's history. He blocked the Falcon's punt in the first game back in the Dome after Katrina. At the dinner, Michel Gleason, Steve's lovely wife, told Morstead that he couldn't cut his hair. She said it was exactly like Steve's. Morstead learned Steve had grown his hair out several times in order to donate it to those in need. 

That night, Morstead decided to follow Steve’s lead and donate his hair. For the entire 2012 season leading up to Superbowl 47, which happens to be in New Orleans, Thomas Morstead will continue growing his hair to raise awareness for the organization 'WIGS FOR KIDS'. 

Once the season ends, Morstead will GIVE his hair to this worthy cause. Since not everyone is in the position to grow – then give their hair, Thomas Morstead has teamed up with Verizon in order to give fans another opportunity to help out this wonderful cause by entering a raffle for an opportunity to go to the Superbowl XLVII in New Orleans on February 3, 2013.

Go to the “What You Give Will Grow” website for all the details. 

“Thank you so much for your support of ‘What You GIVE Will Grow’ and ‘Wigs for Kids’. Letting go of your hair can be very difficult. I know I will miss having long hair. But how blessed are we to be able to give to kids in need…” Thomas Morstead

Now this is where football, racing, and great causes mix:

If you are at the Infineon Raceway this weekend, look for the blue Formula Mazda racing in the Formula Car Challenge. This race car, driven by George Jackson, will be supporting the “What You Give Will Grow” cause. Jackson who races out of the Texas Autosports stable for Moses Smith is at Sonoma for a National Event. Look for George at the front of the pack. You can learn more about this driver at his website.

George Jackson cools down after a hot win at Texas Motor Speedway! (May 2012)