On December 19, 1967, Sears Point Properties, Inc. filed a permit to build a 2.470 mi (3.975 km) road course near the Sears Point area. The corporation’s investors consisted of James Coleman, John B. Gibbons, Robert D. Marshall, and Gordon Blumenfeld. Originally intended as part of a larger resort complex, plans for that development were abandoned shortly after the track’s inception. Film company Filmways purchased the facility in 1968, but it quickly fell into financial trouble.
Sears Point International Raceway (SPIR) opened its dragstrip to the public on March 8, 1969, with Don Garlits winning the first feature event in the Top Fuel division. The road course formally opened later that month on the 28th to host an SCCA event. However, the facility soon faced financial difficulties. By May 1970, SPIR had lost $300,000 within 14 months, undergone staffing cuts, and seen its stock price plummet. All Filmways-run events were cancelled, and the facility was put up for sale with an asking price of $3.5–4 million. After failed attempts to sell the entire facility, the price was reduced to $1.5–1.7 million for only the racetrack and parking lots. By the end of October 1970, the track was described as “a sad scene,” with nature reclaiming the abandoned grounds.
In 1973, Hugh Harn and Parker Archer purchased SPIR for approximately $1,000,000, reopening it for racing events. However, they soon encountered conflicts with local environmental agencies, who refused to allow major races until improvements were made to the track’s water and sewage systems. Further complications arose when Sonoma County officials refused to renew the track’s license to host spectator events due to its proximity to the Rodgers Creek Fault.
In 1980, SPIR was briefly rebranded as “Golden Gate Raceway.” Shortly after, Bob Bondurant resigned as president of the track due to disagreements over “management philosophies and goals.” Bondurant blamed the Long Beach Grand Prix Association for a lack of support and sponsor relationships. A lawsuit was filed against Filmways by the owners, alleging misrepresentations regarding the 1979 sale.
Jack Williams bought the track in June 1981 for approximately $800,000, restoring its original SPIR name. Under Williams’ leadership, the track regained financial stability and hosted an increased number of major events. In 1986, Skip Berg bought out Williams, initiating further renovations and improvements. Berg hired Darwin Doll as general manager, but Doll left in 1988. Glen Long replaced Doll, and oversaw the debut of the NASCAR Cup Series at SPIR in 1989, with Ricky Rudd winning the inaugural race.
In November 1996, Speedway Motorsports, Inc. (SMI) purchased the facility for $2 million, with an option to purchase the entire 800-acre property for $38 million. SMI initiated a $35 million expansion project, including increased runoff areas, new grandstands, and a renovated garage area. The project was completed in 2002, increasing permanent seating to approximately 70,000. In 2002, the track was renamed Infineon Raceway after a naming rights deal with semiconductor company Infineon Technologies.
Infineon Technologies did not renew their naming rights deal in 2012, leading to a temporary rebranding as “Sonoma” before officially becoming “Sonoma Raceway” in December of that year. A complete repave of the track was completed in February 2024, though parts of the new surface were reported to have deteriorated during testing and required patching.
Sonoma Raceway currently hosts NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, ARCA Menards Series West, NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, and various sports car and motorcycle racing events. The track has also been used for filming, notably in the 1970 film Little Fauss and Big Halsy. Plans for a large rock music festival in 2017 were ultimately abandoned due to high costs and permitting issues.
Sonoma Raceway features multiple layouts. The main layout is 2.520 mi (4.056 km) long with 12 turns. A NASCAR layout, measured at 1.990 mi (3.203 km), bypasses turns five and six using a straight section known as “the Chute.” The facility also includes a 0.250 mi (0.402 km) drag strip with an uphill gradient.
Current events include GT World Challenge America, Trans-Am Series, and the 24 Hours of Lemons. Former events include the American Le Mans Series, IndyCar Series, and World Touring Car Championship.