SONOMA, Calif. — The Save Mart Companies extended one of NASCAR's most enduring corporate partnerships this past weekend, celebrating its 34th consecutive year as title sponsor of Sonoma Raceway's premier race event, the Toyota/Save Mart 350 Cup Series race.
The Modesto-based grocery chain, which operates more than 200 stores across the West Coast under the Save Mart, Lucky, FoodMaxx, and Roth's banners, used the occasion to honor top-performing employees and mark two company milestones — blending motorsports spectacle with internal recognition at a scale few regional retailers attempt.
"This was a time to celebrate our team members — alongside their families — for all the hard work they contribute to the organization," said Jim Perkins, President and CEO of The Save Mart Companies.
The weekend's centerpiece employee honor, the Piccinini-Tocco Award, went to three store managers: Kristy Picquette of Save Mart in Reedley, Ed Etienne of Lucky in San Jose, and Noah Clodfelter of FoodMaxx in Fresno. Each received a ceremonial race-day role — Picquette and Clodfelter waved green flags for Sunday's and Saturday's races, respectively, while Etienne rode in the official pace car.
The weekend also carried commercial significance for the company's discount warehouse banner. FoodMaxx, which turns 40 this fall, held title sponsorship of Saturday's Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250 — a rare alignment of a brand anniversary with an existing sponsorship asset.
Beyond the racing itself, the company operated its "Breaking Zone" activation in the Fan Zone, offering racing simulators, games, and an exhibit chronicling the three-decade relationship between the grocer and the Sonoma track.
The Save Mart Companies' 11,000 associates serve customers across California, Western Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Its philanthropic arm, the CARES Foundation, has directed more than $5 million to local communities over its history.
