SONOMA, Calif. -- Infineon Raceway will usher in a new era at the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma as Formula DRIFT will be featured at the open-wheel race weekend, Aug. 21-23.

Formula DRIFT, which has raced at Infineon Raceway but never on the same weekend as IndyCar, will host Round 6: Locked and Loaded. The series will run at Turns 4 and 7, with practice set for Friday, Aug. 21, from 4-7 p.m. and the show slotted to run on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 4:30-8 p.m. A full-track exhibition is set for Saturday at 12:45 p.m. All times PT.

This will mark the penultimate race of the season for Formula DRIFT; the championship will be decided at the season finale in October.

The best drifters in the world are expected to converge on Infineon Raceway, including Rhys Millen, Vaughn Gittin Jr, Samuel Hubinette, Daijiro Yoshihara, Ryan Tuerck, Chris Forsberg and Darren McNamara, as well as Bay Area residents Tyler McQuarrie and Calvin Wan. McQuarrie is an instructor at the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School, which is based at Infineon Raceway.

Two-time Formula DRIFT champion Tanner Foust posted the win at Infineon Raceway in 2008 in his Rockstar/AEM Nissan 350Z, followed by Millen (Red Bull Pontiac) and Bill Sherman (Nissan S13.5).

Drifting is a high-skill, high-powered motor sport that calls for drivers to control a high-horsepower car while it slides sideways at high speed through a marked course. It is similar to rally racing, but is done on a closed course and judged on execution and style rather than who finishes the course fastest.

Entering its sixth season, Formula DRIFT is recognized as the North American professional drifting championship. Established on the streets of Japan, drifting has evolved into a worldwide competitive sport that challenges each driver's driving ability and vehicle control.

Infineon Raceway has been involved since Formula DRIFT’s inaugural season in 2004. For a race schedule and ticket information, visit www.formulad.com.

Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma Weekend

WHAT: Big O Tires Racing Season Presents: Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma

WHEN: Aug. 22-23

CIRCUIT: 12-turn road course

2008 POLE WINNER: Helio Castroneves (Team Penske)

2008 WINNER: Helio Castroneves (Team Penske)

NOTABLE: The weekend will also feature Formula DRIFT, as well as the Firestone Indy Lights Series, featuring Sausalito native J.R. Hildebrand.

TICKETS: $10-$65 single day/$65-$85 weekend; parking is FREE and kids 12 and under are FREE (Saturday only). Garage passes are available for purchase.

INFORMATION: 800-870-RACE, www.infineonraceway.com, www.ticketmaster.com