Bob Piccinini, chairman and CEO of Save Mart Supermarkets, is one of five people who will be inducted into the prestigious Infineon Raceway Wall of Fame during the 2007 race season.
Piccinini, whose Modesto-based grocery chain has been associated with Infineon Raceway since 1992, has played a critical role in the growth of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, not only at Infineon Raceway, but also throughout all of Northern California.
“We have enjoyed our relationship with Infineon Raceway and I am truly honored to be entering the Wall of Fame, †Piccinini said. “It’s amazing to see the growth of NASCAR in both Northern California and the Central Valley and we’re happy to have been part of that growth. We look forward to continuing our relationship with the raceway well into the future. â€
Save Mart is one of the longest-running title sponsors of a NASCAR Cup race in the country. It served as sole title sponsor of the event in the Sonoma Valley from 1992-1997 and has combined with partners as co-title sponsor since 1998, including this year for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 (June 22-24).
Piccinini has spearheaded Save Mart’s efforts at Infineon Raceway with creative and innovative promotional campaigns at every one of his 125 stores, which are based primarily in the Central Valley. In November, 2006, Save Mart announced that it had signed an agreement to acquire 132 Albertsons LLC Stores in Northern California and Northern Nevada.
“Our relationship with Save Mart really transcends a traditional sponsorship. They have been true promotional partners and have made a major contribution to the growth and popularity of NASCAR in Northern California, †said Steve Page, president and general manager of Infineon Raceway. “That effort stems from the leadership, the passion and the commitment of one man, Bob Piccinini, and this is a fitting tribute to all he’s done to support this event. â€
Piccinini will be officially inducted into the Infineon Raceway Wall of Fame on Friday, June 22, of the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup weekend.
The remaining four members of the 2007 Wall of Fame Class will be named during the upcoming motor-racing season. The Wall of Fame includes competitors from all forms of motor racing at Infineon Raceway, including NASCAR, NHRA, AMA, open-wheel cars, sports cars, and more. It will also include those who have made significant contributions to the raceway over the years. A raceway committee oversees the selection process on an annual basis.
