Last year, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan fired up the crowd at the Sonoma Raceway, serving as the Grand Marshal of the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Cup Series race. This year, another Niner took part in the event. Linebacker Fred Warner was on hand to pilot the official Toyota Camry pace car at the 10-turn race, leading 40 vehicles to the green flag.
"I can't wait to do this," Warner said in anticipation of the opportunity, per a statement issued by the Sonoma Raceway. "I've always enjoyed NASCAR, and to get the opportunity to lead the field around an awesome raceway like Sonoma is going to be one of the highlights of my life."
Below is a video of Warner coming out of the pace car (h/t Logan Reardon, NBC Sports), along with others from the event.
Savemart 350 Grand Marshal Fred Warner, put down the @49ers shoulder pads, doing social media at @RaceSonoma @NASCAR @KPIXtv pic.twitter.com/4jLBwLn7vk
— vernkpix (@vernKPIX) June 12, 2022
Mr Pace Car, @fred_warner @49ers @KPIXtv pic.twitter.com/27SRpN2Eyd
— vernkpix (@vernKPIX) June 12, 2022
Even at @RaceSonoma where ever LB @fred_warner goes, the @49ers faithful follow. Warner, the @NASCAR @SaveMart #350 Grand Marshal. @KPIXtv pic.twitter.com/QHzktzBwAZ
— vernkpix (@vernKPIX) June 12, 2022
The stars are out today. 🤩@fred_warner | @49ers | @WWE pic.twitter.com/dk3qGGFSyv
— Sonoma Raceway (@RaceSonoma) June 12, 2022
The Toyota/Save Mart 350 is part of the NASCAR Cup Series, one of seven events in the Cup Series. It features a race of nearly 219 miles and a track just under two miles in length. The Sonoma Raceway has hosted stock car racing events since 1989.
Warner's 49ers are officially on a break until training camp starts at the end of next month. The team wrapped up its mandatory minicamp last week and canceled the final week of the offseason program to allow for more time off before the rigors of preparing for the 2022 regular season.