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Barracuda Racing Sonoma Pre-Race Notes & Quotes

Topics: JR Hildebrand, GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma

Barracuda Racing Sonoma Pre-Race Notes & Quotes

Monica Hilton
Bryan Herta Autosport
August 20, 2013

Barracuda Racing Takes Part in “Food Bank 500″ to Drive Away Hunger

The Barracuda Racing crew, along with driver JR Hildebrand and the No. 98 car, made a stop at Second Harvest Food Bank’s Cypress Center to help the Food Bank drive away hunger by raising awareness about this critical local issue.

Headquartered in the Bay Area, Barracuda Networks is a supporter of Second Harvest Food Bank and the primary sponsor of the No. 98 car. Hildebrand, a Bay Area native, signed autographs and took pictures of the fans after several pit stop demonstrations with the crew.

The event was successful, raising awareness about the issue of hunger in Silicon Valley, where the number of local families and individuals who need food assistance continues to rise. Barracuda Racing fans can support the cause by making a donation or volunteering their time.

The Barracuda Racing crew now heads to Sonoma Raceway to prepare for Wednesday’s IZOD IndyCar Series open test.

Race Fast Facts

Driver: JR Hildebrand
Car: No. 98 Barracuda Racing
Primary sponsor: Barracuda Networks
Event title: GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma
Location: Sonoma Raceway
Track: 12-turn, 2.385-mile permanent road course
2013 event counter: The GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma is the 15th (of 19) for the IZOD IndyCar Series

**MEDIA AVAILABILITY**

JR Hildebrand will be available for interviews on Friday, August 23 from 1:00-1:15 p.m. PDT in the track media center.

PRACTICE SESSIONS: Friday, August 23 from 11-11:45 a.m. PDT and 2-2:45 p.m.; Saturday, August 24 from 11-11:45 a.m.

QUALIFYING: Saturday, August 24 from 2:30-3:40 p.m. PDT (Firestone Fast Six format)
RACE: Sunday, August 25 with pre-race activities beginning around 1 p.m. PDT and an estimated green flag at 1:40 p.m.

Broadcast Information

TV race broadcast (USA): NBC Sports Network
TV race broadcast (Canada): TVA Sports & SportsNet
Race broadcast (radio): IMS Radio Network, XM 211 and Sirius 211

Quote: JR Hildebrand on the “Food Bank 500″ and GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma

“I always enjoy coming out for local events like this, but it’s kind of extra exciting when you can do it in a parking lot or somewhere that’s not a normal environment for the race car. It’s always fun to see people’s reactions to the noise, tire smoke and that kind of stuff when it’s somewhere that you’re normally driving through at five miles per hour.

“On top of that, it’s very cool for Barracuda Racing to be coming out here and supporting Second Harvest Food Bank. In an area like this that seems to be affluent, you don’t expect to have a lot of people going hungry, but it happens everywhere. What they’re doing is a big deal, so being able to help raise awareness is unique and necessary.

“For me to be back in my home area is really exciting. It’s always interesting to go back to Sonoma Raceway. You don’t really know what you’re going to get. It depends on the conditions of the day and how things are working, so we’re going to just try to keep up with the track as much as we can and I look forward to a good weekend. I’ve enjoyed working with the Barracuda Racing team a lot thus far and we haven’t even hit the track so it should be fun.”

Quote: Team co-owner Bryan Herta on the “Food Bank 500″
“It was great to get out in the local San Jose community where our primary sponsor, Barracuda Networks, is based. We were happy to partner with them and shine a spotlight on the great work done here at the Second Harvest Food Bank. It’s always a privilege when we can be part of a great organization such as this.”

Social Media

Twitter

Barracuda Racing: @BHA
JR Hildebrand: @JRHildebrand
Barracuda Networks: @Barracuda
Bowers & Wilkins: @BowersWilkins

Facebook

Barracuda Racing: Facebook.com/BryanHertaAutosport

Fan Opportunities

IZOD IndyCar Series autograph session with JR Hildebrand: Saturday, August 24 from 9-10 a.m. PDT in the INDYCAR Fan Village.
The official INDYCAR Tweetup: Saturday, August 24 from 1:15-2 p.m. PDT on the INDYCAR Fan Village main stage.