Sights & Sounds: Arnold Schwarzenegger among those taking in NASCAR in wine country
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The first NASCAR road course race of the season kicks off Sunday, and a large crowd is expected for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway.
One of those on hand to take in the season's first road course race is Arnold Schwarzenegger. The actor and former California governor will drive the pace car for Sunday's race, but was making waves through the Sprint Cup garage. Many of the crew members and drivers were excited to meet the man once known as "the Governator."
.@Schwarzenegger, @DaleJr and @Amy_Reimann say hello! ? https://t.co/sK84romAis
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 28, 2015
Arrrrrnold! @Schwarzenegger @nascar @RaceSonoma pic.twitter.com/6NdjeSdeWZ
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) June 28, 2015
Not everyday you meet the Terminator! pic.twitter.com/eraYvMAu8F
— Clint Bowyer (@ClintBowyer) June 28, 2015
. @Schwarzenegger Thanks for stopping by @ColeWhitt @uponor 35 @FordPerformance!! pic.twitter.com/GUK7240Aln
— Kendra Wood (@ken_wood3) June 28, 2015
Aaaaahhhhhhnold is in the house. #NASCAR https://t.co/Z5LcZeNx48
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 28, 2015
He's back! @Schwarzenegger takes on the @Toyota #Mirai pace car for the #TSM350 pic.twitter.com/r5VOTflr4A
— Sonoma Raceway (@RaceSonoma) June 28, 2015
I got to meet Arnold in Sonoma! Ready to start the race hoping for a strong finish today! #team20 pic.twitter.com/Tr5m2axjOK
— Chris Taylor (@taylorcr20) June 28, 2015
Awesome day, I met the legend @Schwarzenegger thanks for the handshake man @RaceSonoma #NASCAR #terminator
— Jeremy Fuller (@Fullerjeremy) June 28, 2015
While Schwarzenegger was hitting the garage and checking out Sonoma Raceway, the teams were hard at work setting up the pit stalls and putting the last minute touches on the race cars.
Good morning from @RaceSonoma! We're getting ready to race. pic.twitter.com/1sETtfaxNI
— HSM Team 46 (@TeamHSM46) June 28, 2015
Final preparations happening now. ✔️ pic.twitter.com/deklLoUwz8
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) June 28, 2015
Good morning from @RaceSonoma - pit box setup is underway. Biffle is starting 22nd & pitting from stall 31 today. pic.twitter.com/UKhET7X5Ni
— No. 16 Cup RFR Team (@16RFRCup) June 28, 2015
Pit road set-up. pic.twitter.com/ojOT1ZGYF3
— FrontRow Motorsports (@FrontRowNASCAR) June 28, 2015
Our pit boxes go up kind of quick. ? pic.twitter.com/UZbQijmZXs
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) June 28, 2015
As they do most weekends, the drivers spent race morning visiting with fans and hospitality guests.
.@AJDinger visiting our guests at the @Clorox @Kingsford hospitality tent overlooking @RaceSonoma #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/fEXu9Zi3dp
— JTG Daugherty Racing (@NASCAR47) June 28, 2015
Great to see our friends from @originalnathans and @EckrichMeats here today. Thanks for your support! pic.twitter.com/WXxxQ7MNbt
— RPMotorsports (@RPMotorsports) June 28, 2015
.@JimmieJohnson explaining to @LowesForPros customers the best opportunities to pass @RaceSonoma. pic.twitter.com/GjtCIH0hFV
— Team Lowe's Racing (@LowesRacing) June 28, 2015
There are a number of people pretty pumped up for Sunday's road course race. Former Sprint Cup champion Brad Keselowski took to Twitter Sunday morning to explain why winning at Sonoma Raceway means so much to NASCAR drivers.
One of the toughest trophies to earn in all of motorsports. We will give it our all in 5 more hours. #NASCAR https://t.co/QFbZHNFjwf
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) June 28, 2015
Follow up- The NASCAR cup race @RaceSonoma is a huge win for a driver because of all the dynamics in our sport and series.
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) June 28, 2015
The @RaceSonoma track is extremely technical and unforgiving, tire wear extreme & cars are fundamentally poorly designed for right turns.
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) June 28, 2015
Looking forward to today's race @RaceSonoma Aaron's Dream Machine is tuned up and ready for battle.
— David Ragan (@DavidRagan) June 28, 2015
Excited to get this race going today. Unreal crowd @RaceSonoma Thanks race fans!
— Steve O'Donnell (@odsteve) June 28, 2015
Schwarzenegger isn't the only celebrity taking in the weekend's NASCAR race, as football star Ndamukong Suh, former baseball player Barry Bonds and TV's Mark Burnett were both on hand at Sonoma Raceway.
This guy is impressive. Great dude. Pleasure to meet you @NdamukongSuh. Enjoy the race @RaceSonoma. pic.twitter.com/QTONxTtV1w
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) June 28, 2015
And Miami Dolphins DT @NdamukongSuh pic.twitter.com/z0sasZLNxB
— Roush Fenway Racing (@roushfenway) June 28, 2015
Also with us, Barry Bonds pic.twitter.com/KA03c4P8ay
— Roush Fenway Racing (@roushfenway) June 28, 2015
.@Tbayne6 catches up w/ @MarkBurnettTV here @RaceSonoma. #RFRDriven pic.twitter.com/01pQ2Dq87T
— No.6 Team (@RFR6PR) June 28, 2015
Sunday marks Jeff Gordon's final start at his home track, and the fans are filling the grandstands to see it.
Of the many impressions left on @JeffGordonWeb during his retirement season, today's crowd should make him feel humbled and appreciated.
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) June 28, 2015
He's today's fan favorite for certain!!#Respect https://t.co/kaIeUCiv7V
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) June 28, 2015
