Sonoma Raceway has announced the appointment of Brian Flynn as its new Executive Vice President and General Manager, according to a statement made by Marcus Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Speedway Motorsports. Flynn, a distinguished veteran in the motorsports business, brings with him a wealth of experience, having spent 30 years in senior motorsports and business management roles.

Flynn's expertise spans various aspects of the motorsports entertainment business, making him the ideal candidate for this position. His extensive knowledge and relationships with race teams, sponsors, and industry executives will further strengthen Sonoma Raceway's position. He has previously worked closely with Sonoma Raceway for the past 18 months as a consultant, focusing on enhancing the venue's high-performance driving, karting, and hospitality experiences.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Flynn stated, "Sonoma Raceway is one of the premiere motorsports venues not only on the West Coast but in the country. To work with Marcus and the talented team at Speedway Motorsports and Sonoma Raceway will continue to be a dream come true." He also expressed his eagerness to search for new event opportunities and engage with teammates to expand Sonoma's presence in the motorsports entertainment and driving experience landscape.

Under the leadership of Jill Gregory, the former Executive Vice President and General Manager, Sonoma Raceway has achieved notable milestones over the past two-and-a-half years, including successfully resuming NASCAR and NHRA event production post-pandemic. The raceway also introduced the state-of-the-art Turn 11 hospitality and special event venue and formed partnerships with prestigious brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari Challenge, and the Skip Barber Racing School.

Acknowledging the accomplishments of Gregory and the Sonoma team, Smith expressed gratitude and announced their continued collaboration. Smith mentioned, "We look forward to working with Jill and her new company on strategic projects across our business." This collaboration aims to amplify Sonoma Raceway's position as a tourism destination in Northern California, while Flynn focuses on expanding the raceway's business operations and special event calendar.

Flynn's prior experiences include serving as CEO of Marty Snider and Associates, a Charlotte-based video production company specializing in marketing, commercials, and public relations projects. He has also worked as a management consultant for prominent organizations like Thorsport Racing, Zero1 Off Road, and Speedway Motorsports. From 1996 to 2008, Flynn held various roles within Richard Petty Driving Experience (RPDE), including general manager, chief operating officer, and president. RPDE became the world's largest consumer operator of stock car riding and driving experiences during his tenure. Following that, from 2009 to 2018, he served as CEO of Petty Holdings LLC, which encompassed RPDE and Petty Enterprises, where he held the position of president for the NASCAR race team from 2000 to 2005.

Flynn's dedication to improving the lives of children is evident through his involvement as a founding board member of the Victory Junction Gang Camp. This 84-acre complex provides camp experiences for children with serious medical conditions. Additionally, Flynn previously served as the president and COO of Diamond Ridge Motorsports, a NASCAR race team, from 1993 to 1996.

Flynn holds a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania, where he excelled as a two-sport varsity athlete in football and baseball. He is also a proud member of the Penn Baseball Hall of Fame. Flynn and his wife, Lisa, plan to make Sonoma their permanent home this fall.