Velocity Invitational to Host a Selection of Famed Drivers

1952 Jaguar C-Type

Three drivers from the Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, along with renowned drivers Jenson Button, Romain Grosjean, Travis Pastrana, Scott Speed and Ryan Tuerck, will meet with fans and hit the track at the fifth annual Velocity Invitational, powered by Catalyst, Oct. 4-6 at Sonoma Raceway.

For the second consecutive year, drivers from Arrow McLaren’s IndyCar team will join the festivities throughout the weekend. This year, Kanaan will be joined by team newcomers Christian Lundgaard (who will join the team for 2025) and NorCal native Nolan Siegel. The three drivers will participate in autograph sessions and tackle Sonoma Raceway’s challenging road course in historic McLaren race cars, including the 1974 M16C/D “Black Label” driven by David Hobbs, the Gatorade-sponsored 1975 M16E originally driven by Johnny Rutherford and the “Red Roof” 1978 M24.

Subaru Family Huckster

Velocity Invitational is a spectacle of some of the world’s most unique and special cars, and hosting such an amazing lineup of world-renowned drivers truly takes this event to the next level,” said Jeff O’Neill, founder of Velocity Invitational. “Plus, attendees will have a chance to interact with these drivers in the paddock at autograph sessions throughout the weekend, providing a one-of-a-kind experience.”

Two popular Formula 1 stars will also compete during the event. Attendees will have a chance to see Grosjean, who currently drives the #77 Juncos Hollinger Racing entry in the INDYCAR Series, and Formula 1 champion Button, who will join the weekend with his 1952 Jaguar C-Type, in the paddock and on track.

INDYCAR Driver Romain Grosjean

Pastrana, one of action sports’ most iconic athletes, will delight attendees with demonstration drift laps in the 1983 Subaru GL Family Huckster on Sunday. This outrageous carbon fiber-bodied wagon is powered by an 862-hp turbocharged Subaru BOXER four-cylinder engine and incorporates active aerodynamics in the fenders and rear wing that are unlike any Gymkhana car or rally car.

Speed, a native of nearby Manteca, will pilot Subaru Motorsports USA’s “WRX: Project Midnight” in the Global Time Attack exhibition race. Popular Formula DRIFT driver Tuerck will join the Global Time Attack race in his Judd 4GV V10-powered Mobil 1 Toyota Supra and drift his 650-horsepower 1966 Toyota Stout around the road course.

General admission tickets and premium packages, including the opportunity to ride along in Group B rally cars, are on sale now.

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By Pat Curtin

Pat Curtin is the managing editor of THE SHOP magazine.