Mario Andretti Suits Up at Infineon Raceway

SONOMA, California – On August 22, the legendary Mario Andretti was back behind the wheel of an IndyCar giving a lucky fan the thrill of the Indy Racing Experience. Stanley Houtz of Cleveland, Ohio was the grand prize winner of Shop Honda’s “The Fastest Seat in Sports Sweepstakes, riding with Andretti at the helm for two laps.

Mario did not disappoint. “I’ll tell you, he put it down out there,” Houtz said.

In addition to experiencing an IndyCar ride under the direction of Andretti, Houtz was able to gain an appreciation for the grueling physical conditions imposed on IZOD IndyCar drivers while nagivating the 2.303 mile, 12-turn natural-terrain course, which is simply incomprehensible by only watching a race on television.

Prior to the start of the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma on Sunday race car driver Jeff Bucknum updated his status on Facebook saying, “I honestly can’t describe the speed and G-Forces an IndyCar creates at [Infineon Speedway]. I wish everyone who thinks they have driven fast on a windy road could get a ride in an IndyCar on this track.”

Undoubtedly, Houtz now has an understanding.

Shop Honda will be giving away another grand prize for the IZOD IndyCar race being held on October 2 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Each trip includes roundtrip airfare, hotel accommodations and race credentials for 2 guests to the race, $1,000 worth of IZOD products, spending money and a ride in the IZOD IndyCar 2-seater driven by Mario Andretti.

The winner of the sweepstakes will be contacted on or around September 7, 2010. Entries to the sweepstakes can be submitted at www.shophonda.com.

As for Andretti, the winner of 23 road course races during his impressive career, suiting up again couldn’t help but to bring a big grin to his face.

Robyn Lynne Schechter