Visalia Store Manager celebrates on-raceway with colleagues
MODESTO, Calif. (June 13, 2023) – In celebration of The Save Mart Companies’ (TSMC) longstanding co-title sponsorship of the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Cup Series race and its 31-year partnership with Sonoma Raceway, Noe Elizondo, TSMC 2022 Outstanding Store Manager of the year, served as Honorary Starter and waved the green flag at the race on June 11. Elizondo celebrated with fellow managers representing TSMC stores throughout California and Western Nevada.
“It was the thrill of a lifetime to wave the green flag at this year’s NASCAR race and to celebrateon the actual raceway with all store managers in The Save Mart Companies. This moment will stay with me for the rest of my life,” said Elizondo, store manager at the FoodMaxx store in Visalia, Calif.
The Outstanding Store Manager of the Year Award was created 30 years ago and has evolved to honor the TSMC’s important in-store position. Elizondo began his career in 1989 with TSMC and forged a career path from the grocery night crew to store manager. In addition to being an outstanding store manager and leader at the Visalia FoodMaxx store, Elizondo serves as a Level 1 reserve police officer and volunteers with the local police fire departments in the area.
“This preeminent event is an opportunity for us to honor Noe and all of our exceptional store managers and thank them for all they do to ensure our stores are stocked daily with fresh, competitively priced quality products to help shoppers stretch their food budgets and meet their evolving needs,” said Shane Sampson, Executive Chairman of the Board at The Save Mart Companies. “Save Mart is extremely proud of its longstanding partnership with Sonoma Raceway, celebrating another thrilling Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Cup Series race.“
Martin Truex Jr. took the checkered flag at Sunday’s race, holding the top spot throughout the bulk of the race with a dominant performance. The Toyota/Save Mart 350 victory was Truex’s third of the season and fourth career win at Sonoma Raceway (2013, 2018, 2019 and 2023), just one behind Jeff Gordon for all-time wins at the speedway. It was his 33rd win in 637 NASCAR Cup Series starts. Sonoma Raceway is Northern California’s premier motorsports destination, featuring a world-class 12-turn, 2.52-mile road course, quarter mile dragstrip and karting center.