San Francisco race fans can meet Daytona 500 winner

Matt Kenseth

Race fans are invited to Willie Mays Plaza at AT&T Park in San Francisco this Wednesday, Feb. 18, for a midday rally with Matt Kenseth, the winner of the 2009 Daytona 500.

Kenseth, who won Sunday's Great American Race, will come to San Francisco to meet with race fans, as well as take a Victory Tour Through the Streets of San Francisco, all courtesy of Infineon Raceway and NASCAR.

The appearance marks the Official Countdown to the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend at Infineon Raceway, June 19-21 (Father’s Day weekend).

"When the checkered flag drops in Daytona it’s always the signal for our team that NASCAR will soon be headed for Sonoma," said Steve Page, president and general manager of Infineon Raceway. “We’re looking forward to greeting Matt and getting a little preview of our race in June."

The Victory Tour on Wednesday will take place on a motorized cable car and begin at Vista Point at the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge. The cable car will cross the historic bridge before winding through the streets of San Francisco, with stops at Fisherman’s Wharf and Ghirardelli Square, two of San Francisco’s most well-known areas. Kenseth will enjoy a seafood cocktail at Fisherman’s Wharf and be presented with a basket of chocolate bars at Ghirardelli Square, commemorating his historic win in Daytona.

The Tour will eventually wind up at Willie Mays Plaza at AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. Kenseth will greet the great race fans of Northern California, as well as take part in a press conference that will be open to the public.

The Victory Tour will begin at the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge (Vista Point) at approximately noon (PT), and plans are to arrive at Willie Mays Plaza at around 12:30 p.m. for the midday rally. Race tickets to the Toyota/Save Mart 350 will be available at the rally, including special packages featuring drivers Kevin Harvick, Kasey Kahne and Kurt Busch.

CLICK HERE for a complete route of the Victory Tour so that you can line the streets of San Francisco and give this year’s winner a proper Northern California welcome.