SONOMA, Calif. – More than 500 friends and colleagues attended an April 2 memorial service at Sonoma Raceway honoring the life of John Cardinale, a member of the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame board of directors, who passed away in late March following a lengthy illness.

Cardinale, 47, was Vice President of Media and Community Relations for track. He joined the raceway’s staff in 1998 following 10 years as a sports reporter and editor at a number of Bay Area newspapers including the Contra Costa Times. He was a graduate of San Francisco State University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism.

Cardinale accepted membership on the WCSCHOF’s board several years ago and was active in a variety of affairs including its annual vote and induction ceremonies.

Among those attending the memorial and sharing memories of Cardinale’s life and service to the motorsports industry were Ken Clapp, chairman and founding member of the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame’s board; Sonoma Raceway president Steve Page; Lori Worley and Mike Zizzo, media relations executives at Bristol and Texas motor speedways, respective; and longtime northern California sports columnist Bob Padecki of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.

Cardinale survivors include his wife, Andrea Yezzi Cardinale and daughters Emma and Lauran.

The family has requested any donations be made to a personal charity or Cardinale’s favorite, No Stomach for Cancer, 9202 Waterside Street, #202, Middleton WI 53562 or www.nostomachforcancer.org. Additional information is available at www.tradioncare.com, TraditionCare 925-827-2911.