INDYCARNATION

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On Aug. 13, J.R. Hildebrand was testing on the Infineon Raceway road course in the No. 24 RollCoater car for Dreyer & Reinbold Raceway. A day earlier, he was on equally familiar roads.

Hildebrand, a native of Sausalito, Calif., was the driver of the Indy Racing Experience street-legal two-seater, and he gave multiple TV and sports personalities -- including San Jose Sharks forward Joe Pavelski -- unique tours of the Bay Area.

Hildebrand, the 2009 Firestone Indy Lights champion who made his IZOD IndyCar Series debut at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course last weekend, will compete in the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma on Aug. 20-22. He joined 12 other drivers for a day of testing in preparation for the sixth annual race on the scenic and challenging road course.

Hildebrand, who got his open-wheel racing start at the Jim Russell Racing Drivers school based at Infineon Raceway, was sixth quick on the circuit (1 minute, 18.21 seconds).

Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma details

When: Aug. 20-22
Circuit: 2.2-mile, 12-turn road course
2009 Pole winner: Dario Franchitti (Target Chip Ganassi)
2009 race winner: Dario Franchitti (Target Chip Ganassi)
Notable: The weekend will also include Fluid Film Pole Day, as well as the Firestone Indy Lights Series, Historic Grand Prix and Formula Car Challenge.
Tickets: $10-$65 single day/$65-$85 weekend; parking is FREE and kids 12 and under are FREE (Friday and Saturday). Garage passes are available for purchase.
Information: 800-870-RACE, infineonraceway.com, ticketmaster.com