Infineon dropping naming-rights deal with Sonoma

Infineon dropping naming-rights deal with Sonoma: For the second time in recent years, a Speedway Motorsports Inc. facility has lost its naming-rights sponsorship. On Tuesday, it was reported that Infineon Technologies is pulling its name from the Sonoma, Calif., road course when its contract expires in May. The track was known as Sears Point Raceway until June 2002, then Infineon Raceway until this week. The 10-year deal was reportedly worth $34.4 million to SMI. Vice president for marketing and communications John Cardinale told the Sports Business Daily that the speedway has several companies interested in assuming the naming rights. "There are three or four companies we're talking to," he said. "I wouldn't say they're ready to sign, but they're certainly interested. After the 2009 NASCAR season, Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse Inc. chose not to renew its naming rights at what was known before--as it is now--as Charlotte Motor Speedway. The track had been called Lowe's Motor Speedway since the 1998 season. With Lowe's and Infineon pulling their naming rights, the only NASCAR track that still has a commercial sponsor is Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif.(Autoweek)(3-7-2012)