Business & Tech

Sonoma Raceway Names New President Who Knows How To Make Business Entertaining

The Sonoma Raceway won consecutive company awards recognizing improvements in financial performance, earning a promotion for the new head.

Chef Tyler Florence at a June 2026 fundraiser at the Sonoma Raceway's Turn 11. Brian Flynn was promoted to president of the raceway according to an Oct. 26, 2026 announcement.
Chef Tyler Florence at a June 2026 fundraiser at the Sonoma Raceway's Turn 11. Brian Flynn was promoted to president of the raceway according to an Oct. 26, 2026 announcement. (Angela Woodall/Patch)

SONOMA VALLEY, CA — Sonoma Raceway is courting fans and corporate customers with trackside meetings, karting competitions, and rides with professional drivers. Now, the executive helping expand that business has been promoted to president.

Sonoma Raceway has named Brian Flynn president after two consecutive company awards for financial gains under his leadership, according to reports.

Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith announced the promotion Monday. Flynn previously served as executive vice president and general manager, Motor Sports Newswire reported.

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Smith credited Flynn’s team with hosting internationally recognized racing events and developing Turn 11 as a hospitality venue for global brands.

Turn 11 is the raceway's hospitality and event venue beside the track’s challenging hairpin turn.

Find out what's happening in Sonoma Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma Valley has a 12-turn, 2.52-mile road course, a drag strip, and a karting center, making it a premier Northern California motorsports destination.

Flynn led Petty Holdings as CEO from 2009 to 2018 and previously served as president of the Petty Enterprises NASCAR team. He helped build a business that put fans behind the wheel of stock cars, according to Motorsports Newswire.

He began consulting for Sonoma Raceway in 2020 on driving, karting, and hospitality experiences before becoming general manager in 2023.

He also holds an executive leadership role at Southern California’s Willow Springs Raceway and serves on the boards of the North Bay Leadership Council and Speedway Children’s Charities’ Sonoma chapter.

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