Actor Tom Arnold named Infineon Grand Marshal.

Tom Arnold, a regular on the popular "Best Damn Sports Show Period" on Fox Sports Net, has been named Grand Marshal of the Dodge/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Winston Cup Series weekend at Infineon Raceway in two weeks.

Arnold joined the "Best Damn Sports Show Period" in 2001 and is part of a lineup that includes former NBA All-Star John Salley and former NFL All-Pro Michael Irvin. The show, hosted by Chris Rose, is the first sports/entertainment television show combining the sports and comedy worlds in a unique "guy talk" format.

"Tom is a very funny man and I know our fans will get a kick out of having him here for the NASCAR weekend," said Steve Page, president and general manager at Infineon Raceway. "Tom will also be a terrific addition to the lineup for our Friday night benefit dinner."

Arnold will be honoured on Friday night (June 20) during the NASCAR Winston Cup weekend at the Grand Marshal's Banquet, which will be held at beautiful Cline Cellars in the Sonoma Valley. All proceeds benefit Speedway Children's Charities. On Sunday of race weekend, Arnold will participate in driver introductions, attend the driver meeting and take a pace lap around the twisting road course, as well as join the Northern California Dodge Dealers in uttering those famous words, "Gentlemen, Start Your Engines."

"I've always enjoyed the Sonoma Valley, and I'm certainly a big NASCAR Winston Cup fan, so this should be a lot of fun," Arnold said. "Since I'm too fat to fit into a car I wonder if anybody needs a pit crew team member. I'm pretty good with an air gun."

Arnold, internationally known for his work as an actor and comedian, has starred in more than 40 movie and television projects, including such films as "True Lies," "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery," and "Exit Wounds." In 2002, Arnold became an author for the first time, publishing his own autobiography, titled "How I Lost 5 Pounds in 6 Years."