THE SONOMA INDEX-TRIBUNE • FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020 A5

probably good as any.” Page Continued from A1 After some discussion and negotiation with Speedway, he announced his resignation this in the not-too-distant future, he week. won’t be able to view it at all. But it’s not all about races for That day would be Jan. 1, 2021, Steve Page, and maybe it never when he officially leaves the has been. It’s about the people president and general manager’s more than motor oil, the fans office after 29 years in the job. as well as the drivers, and the “When I first came to work staff he’s worked with for over here, our office was in a little 20 years. farmhouse right at the entry One of them is Sonoma Valley of the raceway. And I had local Bobby O’Gorman, who a commanding view of the started at the raceway as an in- employee parking lot.” Things tern in 1999 and is now Director have changed since 1991, when of Operations. “As a local kid, he joined as track president working for Sonoma Raceway for what was then Sears Point wasn't even something I could've Raceway, after his 11 years in imagined, but the environment business operations with the that Steve has created is incredi- Oakland A’s – during the McG- bly special. wire-Canseco-Henderson era. “I have profoundly benefited He left the A’s when, as he KENT PORTER / PRESS DEMOCRAT, 2015 from working for Steve.” said, “it was clear there really Jeff Gordon is greeted by Sonoma Raceway president Steve Page prior to the NASCAR Toyota/Savemart 350, Also in that intern class of ’99 wasn't another next-advance- June 28, 2015 at Sonoma Raceway. was Diana Brennan, who has ment step for me there.” After also worked with Page for over looking elsewhere in the sports “They've been absolutely proudest of are events that we've “The back surgery was hugely 20 years, and is now Director industry – including an inter- wonderful,” says Page of the brought here that are a little successful, it’s back where a of Marketing. “My admiration view with George W. Bush when Speedway owners. “They've in- bit out of the norm, a couple 66-year-old back should be. That and respect for him have only he was the owner of the Texas vested heavily on improving this of world profile events that are was a non-factor,” he said about grown during that time. Steve Rangers – Page decided to follow facility and giving us the leeway focused on green mobility and his reasons for leaving. “But prioritizes creating a supportive, his gut and move to Sonoma. to carve a path and build on our green transportation.” Among I've been at this for 29 years and familial, growth environment “I always imagined that this business in a way that works.” them is the Shell Eco-Challenge, the idea of moving on has sort for every single member of would be a place where you It’s in the raceway’s growth an international competition of floated around my mind for his staff … his door is literally might try to retire, but that I and maturity where Page’s among 100 student teams to find several years, without a definite always open.” couldn't imagine any job in open-minded, forward-thinking the car with the highest fuel date attached to it.” The feeling is mutual. “That's professional sports that would impact is most clearly seen, economy. “I think the winning He got back in the swing of been the toughest most emo- allow me to actually live there. including his interest in envi- team achieved 1,600 miles a things after a period of recov- tional part is just the sense of So when this showed up out of ronmental responsibility – he’s gallon,” he says. ery -- but it wasn’t long before teamwork we have here and the the blue, it seemed like it was too one of a handful of motorsports “It was probably in 2003 when getting back to normal was no quality of people. Which I've told good to pass up.” executives who could look at a we brought an event here called longer possible for anyone. In them all that on Jan. 1, the busi- But Sears Point was not exact- speedway and think “conserva- Michelin Challenge Bibendum.” March of this year the Raceway ness relationships get converted ly the crown of the motor racing tion.” Wait a minute. The what? began delaying its events due to to friendships. And I hope to world. It had been through a He began overseeing the “Bibendum is the big white the coronavirus health crisis, maintain those relationships for number of owners who failed to transformation of the 2.5-mile tire character, the mascot of and soon those turned into can- many years to come.” maximize its potential, a poten- racing track with its first expan- Michelin,” he explains patiently. cellations. Come January, he may not be tial that the innovative, imagina- sion in 1998 – which included a “They put it on to showcase all The big-ticket, high-profile hanging around the raceway, tive Page could see. “I had come 900-acre open space, set aside the latest green automotive tech- races the facility relies on but he won’t be leaving Sonoma. here with the idea that we're as environmental mediation. nology for manufacturers and evaporated in a corona breeze: He and his wife Judy still live on going to take what was a pretty Now “wooly weeders” (sheep) developers and scientists from the NASCAR series Toyota/Save the east side, and he took over as rundown place and make some keep the vegetation down, one around the world. And it was Mart 350, the NHRA Division 7 board chair for the Santa Rosa major investments in it,” says of several innovations that has an amazing event for us to be drag races and their Sonoma Na- Junior College Foundation, and the silver-and-still-curly-haired made Sonoma Raceway one of part of and a real opportunity to tionals, the GT World Challenge, is also board chair for the North executive. “As it turns out (the the “greenest” in the Speedway showcase the raceway in a way and popular favorites like the Bay Leadership Council. then-owner) did not have the portfolio. that we had not prior.” Sonoma Speed Festival, historic “I like to think I've got another wherewithal to do that.” Though he’s quick to rattle off Over the next 15 years the car racing in the CSRG Charity chapter out there and want That changed in 1996 when a few key moments in motor- Sonoma Raceway rose to prom- Challenge, and the innovative to pursue it while I'm young Bruton Smith, of what is now sports history he’s witnessed inence in its field, becoming Shell Eco-marathon Americas. enough to still give some energy Speedway Motorsports, add- – “Dale Earnhardt won his first Sonoma County’s most popular The unusual circumstances to it. I've got a few other specific ed the Sonoma track to their ever road course race here. Tom- event center in terms of sheer gave him time to consider his things that I'm interested in do- growing portfolio (which now my Stewart had the final victory audience numbers. But the road own situation, and his own fu- ing on the community front that includes nine tracks in eight of his career here. On the drag got bumpy in December, 2018. ture as well as the future of the I want to pursue. states – North Carolina has two). strip we set records constantly… Page had back surgery to relieve raceway. With everything that “And then I'm going to let Suddenly there was the capital Sonoma Raceway has had a lot a presumed herniated disc, a is changing and that is going to things marinate for a while and for improvements - $100 million of history” -- he’ll also make chronic problem that erupted change in the coming years, he see what the future brings.” of it - to be spent for major ex- the hairpin turn to his personal when he went on a three-day says, “if there was ever a good pansions and upgrades between priorities. backpacking trip with his son time for someone else to come Email Christian at christian. 1998 and 2004. “Some of the things that I'm Kevin. in and reinvent things, this is [email protected].

Metallica Continued from A1 chance he got to meet peo- Bundschu. “But it was still ple in the music business a holy sh#* moment when — he plays a little guitar I heard they had arrived in and bass, and is a music Sonoma and had checked super-fan. in.” “If anyone in the music El Pueblo front desk industry visits the winery, manager Aranda Tynes I always lead the tour,” he was pleased that her team says. A few years back, a managed to keep the se- fast Google search con- cret for weeks. “We are all firmed that one VIP sched- huge fans,” she said. uled to visit was involved in managing some very big But when? With an auto-immune disease, Jeanne Allen has to be There’s a first time for everything - even for California’s bands, including Metallica. Some last details were vigilant about avoiding COVID. oldest family owned winery. The two hit it off and ironed out. Bundschu kept in touch. Meanwhile, would close the winery to the sixth generation of visitors and release the staff WHERE TO SEE THE CONCERT FILM Disabled Continued from A1 Bundschus built some on Sunday and Monday, buzz for the winery as Aug. 9 and 10. He sent a While the “Encore Drive-in Nights” screening of the Metallica people don’t tell him he is with autism. a hot micro-venue. An courtesy note to neighbors concert film sold out at Gundlach-Bundschu within hours of getting close. Denise Vancil, who eclectic group of indie that there would be a small going on sale on Aug. 14, the film is playing at several hundred Bob Sonnenberg, CEO teaches several subjects musicians were schedul- commercial filming on the other venues across the county and two dozen spots in the Cal- of Earle Baum Center and classes at Earle ing gigs there and praising property. And he finally ifornia. As of press time, $115 tickets for a car of up to 6 people of the Blind, said people Baum, said “touching, the excellent acoustics of told his family and inner were still available in Sacramento and Concord. without sight “don’t know is seeing for people with the winery’s old redwood circle that it was happening. Every ticket purchase includes four digital downloads of Me- what social distancing sight loss or blindness.” barn and its picturesque “I don’t know if it’s fair tallica's “S&M2” album, which documents two concerts that is” because they can’t see Giving hugs or shak- hillside stage. to say they’re used to me reunited the band and San Francisco Symphony for the first time it. They don’t know the ing a person’s hand give dropping things like this in 20 years. And the show also include a guest performance by spatial relation of six feet, information of how tall The fateful text on them, but they were not Three Days Grace. and when out in public or short a person is, she Jeff Bundschu describes shocked,” he said. “Nor The concerts will follow safety precautions of vehicle spacing, they have no idea how far said. himself as a dreamer too wowed to not ask me window guidelines, masks for staff, contactless payment and they are from a person “Giving a pat on the and an optimist. But 2020 all the usual questions — restroom safety procedures. unless “someone is kind shoulder to someone has been challenging. So ‘What’s our liability? How The Metallica concert is part of a series of one-night-only con- enough to tell you.” who is visually impaired he says he was too tired will we keep this a secret? certs screened at drive-in theaters across the United States and And Wedler said he communicates that that to be surprised when he What are they paying? Canada. encorenights.com. thinks some people are person is listening, or received a text on July 24 What’s the upside to us?’” awkward or afraid to say the affection that might that Metallica was looking Bundschu’s retort? something, but he wishes be found in eye contact,” for a compelling spot to “Come on! It’s Metallica!” members and the entire Dress rehearsal they would. said Vancil. “And simply film a concert movie. Well, Metallica crew was tested The winery was just “They can see my touching items in stores, he thought, this year is Maybe, maybe not at El Pueblo on Aug. 1. closing Saturday, Aug. 8, cane. All they have to holding a person’s arm “already chock full of But on July 31, Bund- “Two jammed nostrils when four giant trucks do is say something… for them to be a guide, otherworldly scenarios schu woke up to a per- later, Liz and I were feeling full of the band’s gear and versus standing there taking Uber or Lift, which coming true.” sonal email from Sonoma pretty cool that our first crew arrived, released watching me, then when we relied on, doesn’t Might the winery be County Supervisor Susan coronavirus tests came from the hotel downtown I get close they scream,” feel comfortable, hence, interested? There would be Gorin, which cc’d Sono- about this way,” he said. to start building the set. Wedler said. “You would I have not really gone no fans, and filming would ma County Health officer Aug. 3, retests for All Metallica branding was be surprised… people anywhere.” take only two days. Sundari Mase. They asked all. Both nostrils twice. taped and invisible and a get freaked out and have And her guide dog While Bundschu him to reconsider holding Additional tests followed handful of band baseball yelled even profanities.” “doesn’t really get to be himself is more likely to a small, outdoor, socially on Aug. 4 with a different hats went unnoticed. Wearing a mask, prac- the guide dog he once attend SXSW than Saints distanced wine and music company, via throat and Bundschu showed up ticing social distancing, was, as they don’t under- and Sinners, he’s no fool, experience featuring Chris nose, just to be safe. And two hours early for the and a change of routine is stand social distancing.” and he instantly agreed Robinson that he had again on Aug. 7. Sunday night rehearsal everybody’s norm during -- provided it could be done planned for late August. After one of the tests, and found there was plen- this coronavirus pandem- Mental health safely and discreetly, given “Susan Gorin was con- nose still sore, Bundschu ty of time for small talk ic, but for some – those And for people with the COVID situation. cerned the optics set a bad saw lead guitarist Kirk with the crew. with varying disabilities – mental health disorders, Less than a week later, precedent and I freaked,” Hammett in the El Pueblo “Metallica is one of it’s a different challenge. such as Susan Levine Metallica’s crew arrived. said Bundschu. “If that parking lot. “I tried to act the best in the business, For the seeing impaired who is also a double-am- little show was an issue, cool,” he said with a laugh. paying their crew year who rely on other senses putee, the effects of a Staying local what would people think if A dedicated COVID com- around, whether touring such as hearing, masks COVID-world could be While band members they got wind of Metallica? pliance officer informed or not,” said Bundschu. can change the way voic- trying, but she’s deter- Lars Ulrich, James Het- I did not want to become everyone who would be “And they are allowed oth- es sound; and touch, an mined to not let it rule field, Kirk Hammett and the posterchild of COVID on-site that they needed er gigs when the calendar important tactical sense, her, she said. Robert Trujillo stayed in carelessness.” to be double masked at is clear. So with eyes wide is impaired due to social Levine is open about Bay Area homes, their Bundschu canceled all times when not eating, I heard first-hand tour distancing. her two suicide attempts, crew quietly checked into Robinson on the spot, and and expected to use stories about the likes of Facial coverings block the second one cost her Sonoma’s El Pueblo Inn vowed then and there this the multiple sanitizing Madonna, Pearl Jam, Brit- the view of mouths, an arm and a leg, she on July 31 for what all would be the most clan- stations, and maintain six tany Spears and Taylor and for lip readers that said. concerned described as destine thing that ever feet minimum distancing. Swift.” impedes their ability to “For me my injuries “serious quarantining.” happened in Sonoma. Bundschu learned that the The band walked understand what is being happened in New York. I Meals were delivered and officer’s role was a new onto the winery’s gravel communicated to them. was run over by a subway housekeeping was can- Tests and more tests one, created by the film parking lot at the base of Routines are disrupted train. I put myself on celed. There would be no con- industry as a mandatory the Mayacamas at around because of closures, the tracks,” Levine said The band’s team had cert if anyone had COVID. component to reopening 7 p.m. and the crew got throwing off self-regulat- asked for a hotel recom- Bundschu, his wife Liz, film production. ing mechanisms for those See Disabled, A10 mendation earlier on, said their three key staff See Metallica, A7