MEET YOUR HEROES

Legends from track and screen are at The Invitational every year.

HERE’S WHO’S COMING TO THE 2026 VELOCITY INVITATIONAL

YUKI TSUNODA

Formula One® Test & Reserve Driver for Red Bull Racing

Red Bull Racing test and reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda, one of the most aggressive, fearless pilots on the F1 grid, will be at Velocity Invitational on Saturday, May 30th, throwing historic racing machinery through the straights and corners of one of America's greatest tracks. For the first time ever.

In Yuki's own words:

"I'm really excited to visit Velocity Invitational. I've always wanted to drive the Sonoma track, so this is the perfect excuse for me to do it in some amazing cars and with great people."

Come meet Yuki at Velocity Invitational

LIA BLOCK

ARA and former Williams F1 Academy Driver

Lia will be on-hand at Velocity Invitational all day Sunday to meet fans, and to do demo drives both on- and off-track in some exciting performance machinery.

A current competitor in the American Rally Association and former Williams Racing F1 Academy driver, Lia carries forward one of motorsport's most iconic legacies as the daughter of the late Ken Block, while building a racing career entirely her own.

Lia recently scored a podium finish in the grueling Olympus Rally this past April, despite suffering a puncture that cost precious minutes against world-class competitors.

Come meet Lia at Velocity Invitational.

SUNG KANG

Star of DRIFTER, Fast & Furious, and Lifelong Car Guy

Sung will be on-hand at Velocity Invitational Friday during the day (and well into the evening) to meet fans, and show off Lola, his AE86 Trueno drift car, his co-star in DRIFTER.

Sung will be presenting the Northern California debut preview of his upcoming feature film, DRIFTER, at Velocity Invitational, and will be doing a special Q&A with fans following the preview.

Formula Drift champion and Hollywood stunt driver Dai Yoshihara will be on hand as well to meet fans and do demo drift laps in Lola.

As the sun goes down Friday, Sung will be sticking around for a first-ever Daikoku PA inspired Friday Night Meet under the front straight spotlights at Sonoma Raceway, co-hosted with Larry Chen.

Learn more about the Friday Night Meet.

LARRY CHEN

Automotive Photographer, Hagerty Personality

With more than two decades of experience documenting car culture around the world, Larry’s work captures the people, passion, and stories behind the machines. 

Larry is the host of Capturing Car Culture on the Hagerty YouTube channel, where he explores the global car scene through in-depth features and behind-the-scenes access. He is also a contributor to Turnpike, where he shares long-form editorial pieces focused on automotive lifestyle and culture. 

Larry is known for his longstanding role as an official photographer of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and Formula DRIFT series.

As a veteran photographer of Velocity Invitational, Larry will be on-hand to both capture the 2026 event, as well as meet fans, and host the Friday Night Meet with Sung Kang.

Learn more about the Friday Night Meet.

A race car driver in a blue racing suit and sunglasses gives a thumbs-up while standing next to a modified racing car at a race track.
Chef holding a large piece of raw meat with a bone, and another chef preparing food at a cooking demonstration.
Two men, one in racing gear and the other in a white long sleeve shirt and orange cap, are standing and talking next to a McLaren Formula 1 car in the McLaren garage.

BIGGER THAN LIFE. IN REAL LIFE.

From legendary drivers to celebrity chefs to famous musicians and more, the world’s greatest all have one thing in common: they come to Velocity to meet their fans, and experience the same incredible mix of car culture that you do.

Here’s a few of the luminaries who have joined us in the past:

Formula One®:

  • Lando Norris (McLaren F1)

  • Zak Brown (McLaren F1 Team CEO)

  • Mario Andretti (1978 F1 World Driver’s Champion, 4x IndyCar Champion)

  • Romain Grosjean (Haas F1, IndyCar, IMSA)

  • Jenson Button (2009 F1 World Driver’s Champion, Super GT Champion)

  • Mikka Hakkinen (1998 and 1999 F1 World Driver’s Champion)

  • Scott Speed (Toro Rosso F1)

  • Stefan Johansson (Ferrari, McLaren)

IndyCar®:

  • Pato O’Ward (Arrow McLaren, 2018 Indy Lights Champion)

  • Tony Kanaan (Arrow McLaren Team Principal, 2004 IndyCar Driver’s Champion)

  • Alexander Rossi (Arrow McLaren, 2016 Indy 500 Winner, Caterham F1)

  • J.R. Hildebrand (2009 Indy Lights Champion)

Professional Motorsport:

  • Travis Pastrana (4x Rally America Champion)

  • Ryan Tuerck (Formula Drift)

  • Alister McRae (WRC)

  • Chase Johnson (Sprint Car)

  • Pippa Mann (IndyCar)

  • Michelle Abbate (Trans-Am)

Other Legends:

  • Jim Farley (Ford Motor Company CEO)

  • Tyler Florence (Professional Chef, Food Network Host)

  • Shmee (Youtube Personality)