Behind the Barriers - Saturday in Sonoma

Michael Andretti, Kim Green and Kevin Savoree, announced Thursday that they have executed a letter of intent to split off Andretti Green Promotions and Andretti Green Toronto into a separate company from Andretti Green Racing. Terms of the letter were not released. Upon completion of the transaction, Andretti will wholly own and operate Andretti Green Racing while Green and Savoree will wholly own and operate the promotions business. The partners released a joint statement. "Since becoming partners in 2002, we have been fortunate to see our companies expand and diversify quickly and successfully. All of us believe that this decision will maximize the potential of both companies in the future."

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Longtime Indianapolis 500 car owner Jonathan Byrd passed away on Thursday, August 20. He was 57. Byrd, who was well known for his Jonathan Byrd cafeteria in Greenwood, Ind., was associated with a long list of drivers at the Speedway, including Arie Luyendyk, Gordon Johncock, Scott Brayton, Rich Vogler and John Andretti.

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Kristi Yamaguchi, the 1992 Olympic women's figure skating gold medalist and her husband, NHL defenseman Bret Hedican toured Infineon Raceway courtesy of the Indy Racing Experience two-seater. "That was incredible," said Yamaguchi. "I was laughing and crying at the same time."