Motorists who are not attending the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Sears Point in neighboring Sonoma County this weekend are advised to avoid state Highways 37 and 121.
The annual race draws 100,000 fans to the former Infineon Raceway, now referred to as the raceway at Sonoma.
The California Highway Patrol said the worst traffic in that area is expected between 7 a.m. and noon and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Sunday.
The race on the 10-turn, 1.99-mile course begins at noon Sunday, but qualifying is set for this afternoon and practices will be held Saturday morning.
CHP Officer Jake Ramos with the CHP in Napa County said there will be 10-12 CHP patrol vehicles in the area on Saturday and 15-20 on Sunday.
The CHP in Santa Rosa also will be assisting at the raceway, Officer Jon Sloat said.
They will direct traffic and be on the alert for reckless and drunk drivers.
Racing fans also have been known to "spin donuts" in the parking lot, Ramos said.
Those who are attending the race are advised to enter the raceway's Gate 9 on Lakeville Highway, Ramos said.
In addition to the traffic from race attendees, big-rigs transporting race cars and equipment from the race will add to the congestion.
Motorists heading to Interstate Highway 80 and points east can avoid the traffic by taking state Highway 12 through Santa Rosa and Sonoma and taking state Highway 12/121 to state Highway 29 south, back onto Highway 12 through Jameson Canyon onto Highway 80. The route is north of the raceway.
Another alternate route is Lakeville Highway to state Highway 116 to state Highway 121 to Napa.
Motorists can also take the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge to Highway 80.
Bay City News Service
