INDYCARNATION

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The finished product from the hands of master baker Fernando Padilla, Dan Wheldon, Dania Soriano and Melissa Daeda.

Dan Wheldon, driver of the No. 4 National Guard Panther Racing car, traded in his racing gloves for floured hands and sourdough bread during a visit July 26 to San Francisco’s historic Boudin Bakery at Fisherman's Wharf.
 
Wheldon, who was in the Bay Area in advance of the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma at Infineon Raceway (Aug. 20-22), joined Oakland’s Dania Soriano and Suisun City’s Melissa Daeda -- wives of National Guard members serving overseas -- to create a special care package for the troops.

Wheldon, Soriano and Daeda, under the guidance of Boudin master baker Fernando Padilla, kneaded, formed and shaped the sticky dough into the form of Wheldon’s race car before placing it in the piping-hot oven.

“I’m certainly no baker, but this was a lot of fun,” said Wheldon, the 2005 Indianapolis 500 and IZOD IndyCar Series champion. “To have a day like this that incorporates not only the track and racing, but also our great sponsor and the wives of National Guard members was really special.”

Once removed from the oven, the creation was ready for shipping to the troops overseas. It was certainly a special day for Soriano and Daeda, whose husbands, Specialist Jose Soriano and Sergeant Brad Daeda, are currently serving abroad.

“I get a lot of joy out of preparing packages and things to ship to my husband and his unit, but to have something like this was a real special treat,” Daeda said.  “Anything positive like this really helps keep our minds off their deployment and time away from home.”

Padilla has been recreating world-famous Boudin Bakery recipes for 28 years, and while Wheldon might not be ready for a career change, Padilla was impressed with his baking skills.

“They all did great,” Padilla said.  “Having these three join me in the kitchen today was a lot of fun.  Dan said after he retires, he’ll be back to help me, as a new challenge.”
 
Wheldon, who posted a best finish of fourth in Sonoma in 2008, returns to Northern California next month for the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma at Infineon Raceway.  This marks the series’ sixth visit to the raceway, which has seen five different winners over five years.

“I like the road course at Infineon Raceway a lot,” Wheldon said.  “It’s a really tough track, but really rewarding when you get it right.  With the pace and the competition we’ve seen this year, I think the race in Sonoma is going to be very exciting.  Everyone is out there battling for a win, so you can’t make a mistake.”

Tickets, including a special package featuring racing legend Mario Andretti, are available by calling 800-870-RACE or at www.infineonraceway.com.