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John Lehmann (left, blue jacket), principal of Petaluma Junior High School, watches as students plant a tree into the ground as part of NASCAR's Green Clean Air Program.

The North Bay school received a donation of 30 trees through NASCAR’s Green Clean Air program, which is designed to neutralize 100-percent of carbon emissions produced by racecars competing in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events.

A ceremonial planting of the final four trees was held on Thursday at Petaluma Junior High School and attended by officials from the junior high school, Petaluma City Schools, the city of Petaluma and Infineon Raceway.

“Petaluma Junior High is delighted to be a participant in Infineon Raceway and NASCAR’s environmental program,” said John Lehmann, principal of Petaluma Junior High School.  “Our students, teachers, and community will benefit from the improved landscaping, fire reduction and cleaner air.”

Infineon Raceway, which hosts an annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event each June, was one of 11 tracks that participated in this progressive program in 2009, and the city of Petaluma was designated as the beneficiary. The city was awarded the 30 trees based on the number of green flags in last year’s Toyota/Save Mart 350.

“NASCAR Green Clean Air is one example of the comprehensive and measurable programs the sport is developing,” said Dr. Mike Lynch, Managing Director of Green Innovation for NASCAR. “Like any major organization, NASCAR is focused on reducing waste, saving power and lowering emissions. We will continue to announce initiatives in each area throughout this and the coming seasons.”

NASCAR purchased the trees, including live oaks, black oaks and buckeyes, from Buckeye Nursery, a Women’s Business Enterprise National Council-certified business in Petaluma. The program dovetails well with Infineon Raceway’s “Go Green” campaign, which includes a comprehensive recycling program, water conservation efforts and the use of sheep to maintain the grasses and fire lanes around the raceway, to name just a few of the initiatives.

“This is a terrific new initiative from NASCAR and we’re delighted to participate,” said Steve Page, president and general manager of Infineon Raceway.  “We look forward to watching these trees grow and becoming part of the campus environment at Petaluma Junior High.”

More than one acre of trees was planted in the program’s inaugural year.  In 2010, NASCAR Green Clean Air will expand to all tracks on the Sprint Cup Series schedule, doubling the amount of trees planted to offset the carbon produced by racing.

- Infineon Raceway, Press Release