Roger Craig Named Grand Marshall of Toyota/Save Mart 350

Roger Craig

Photo – Getty Images

Legendary San Francisco 49ers running back Roger Craig has been named Grand Marshall of the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend, June 18-20.

Craig, who helped guide the 49ers to three Super Bowl victories, will be honored on Friday, June 18, at the Children’s Champions Grand Marshall’s Banquet at beautiful Cline Cellars in Sonoma. The gala is a fundraiser for the Sonoma Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities.

He will also take part in pre-race activities on Sunday, including participating in the official command of, “Gentlemen, Start Your Engines."

“I am really looking forward to being the Grand Marshall. It is an incredible honor," Craig said. “This will be the first NASCAR race I’ve ever attended, and I am very excited. I’ve heard so many great things about NASCAR and to be able to get to see it in person will be great."

“Roger Craig’s career spans some of the greatest moments in Bay Area sports history…and he has three Super Bowl rings to show for it. We’re looking forward to having Roger join us for NASCAR weekend and we know it will be a thrill for our fans," said Steve Page, president and general manager of Infineon Raceway.

In 1985, Craig became the first player in NFL history to surpass 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in a single season, and he also set an NFL record for running backs with 92 receptions. In Super Bowl XXIV against the Denver Broncos in 1989, he scored four touchdowns, totaled 413 yards and had 20 receptions.

He had an 11-year NFL career, mainly with the 49ers and totaled 8,189 yards rushing and 4,911 yards receiving, as well as 73 touchdowns. He was voted to the Pro Bowl team five times, was named All-Pro in 1988 and was NFC Offensive Player of the Year, also in 1988. Craig remains the only running back to lead the NFL in receptions in a season and the only one to ever record more than 100 yards receiving in a Super Bowl.

“I can’t wait to see all the drivers, like Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. I hear Jeff is a 49ers fan," Craig said. “Football was pretty incredible but I’m thinking this might rank right up there as one of the coolest things I’ve done."