The Food Network fixture will give the command to start engines at the Toyota\/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on Sunday.<\/p>\n
The Sonoma Raceway has named celebrity chef and Food Network star Tyler Florence as the grand marshal for the Toyota\/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Cup Series<\/a> race on Sunday.<\/p>\n The South Carolina native has been a longtime fixture of the Bay Area culinary scene, with his flagship San Francisco restaurant Wayfare Tavern as well his steakhouse located at San Francisco\u2019s Chase Center, Miller & Lux.<\/p>\n Sonoma Raceway highlighted Florence\u2019s connection to Sonoma County in its Thursday announcement, citing Florence\u2019s advocacy for the region\u2019s farmers, winemakers and artisans often featured in his dishes and public appearances.<\/p>\n In his role this weekend as grand marshal, Florence will deliver the iconic command, \u201cDrivers, start your engines,\u201d ahead of Sunday\u2019s main event at 12:30 p.m.<\/p>\n \u201cTyler\u2019s infectious energy and deep-rooted connection to Sonoma County makes him a perfect fit to be a part of the Toyota\/Save Mart 350 and celebrate NASCAR\u2019s return to wine country,\u201d said Brian Flynn, executive vice president and general manager of Sonoma Raceway, in a news release.<\/p>\n As a television personality, Florence first gained fame in 2000 as the host of the Food Network program \u201cFood 911,\u201d where he traveled the country to help home cooks improve their dishes. He also hosted \u201cTyler\u2019s Ultimate\u201d in 2003, showcasing his take on classic dishes, and currently hosts \u201cThe Great Food Truck Race,\u201d which debuts its 18th season next month. He has also appeared on \u201cWorst Cooks in America\u201d and \u201cIron Chef America.\u201d<\/p>\n Another celebrity, ESPN personality Marty Smith will serve as grand marshal for Saturday\u2019s Pit Boss\/FoodMaxx 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series<\/a> race, the raceway announced earlier this week.<\/p>\n A longtime motor sports reporter, Smith co-hosts the popular ESPN radio show \u201cMarty & McGee\u201d and appears regularly to talk college football, basketball, golf and more on the network\u2019s signature programs, including \u201cSportsCenter\u201d and \u201cCollege GameDay.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMarty’s love for the sport and his authentic connection with fans make him the perfect person to kick off what promises to be an action-packed day at the track,\u201d Flynn said in a Monday news release.<\/p>\n The jam-packed weekend also features live music, driver meet-and-greets and more in the Sonoma Raceway Fan Zone.<\/a><\/p>\n