SONOMA, California – As Sunday wound down at Sonoma Raceway, everything was happening on five-time Verizon IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon’s time. But for a while before the start of the INDYCAR Grand Prix of Sonoma, it was Hammertime.

Legendary hip-hop artist MC Hammer was the grand marshal of the 2018 season finale and kicked off the race by giving a not-so-traditional command for the drivers to fire up their engines to start the race. In true Hammer form, the Bay Area native made it with flair.

“You know what time it is! It’s Hammertime!” Hammer shouted into the microphone from the passenger seat of the Honda’s Fastest Seat in Sports two-seat Indy car. “Ladies and gentleman, start your engines!”

With that, two-seater driver Mario Andretti pulled away to lead the 25-car field on the parade and pace laps around the 12-turn, 2.385-mile hilly road course. When it came time to pick up the pace, Andretti “put the hammer down” how he knows best.

Hammer arrived at Sonoma Raceway with his four sons on Sunday and didn’t stop. He toured INDYCAR Fan Village and posed for photos with anyone who asked. He entertained media in a news conference, discussing his days as an assistant to former Oakland A’s owner Charlie Finley and his love of all Bay Area sports. He chatted with INDYCAR drivers (including Team Penske's Will Power, shown above) prior to prerace introductions.

After riding with Andretti, Hammer climbed out of the Honda two-seater elated and praised the racing legend.

“All I can tell you is, first of all, Mr. Mario Andretti, he can be out there racing right now,” Hammer said. “I mean, the acceleration and to take those curves with command, in control, it was amazing. I’ve never felt anything like it and, again, to have a legend take me around like that at those speeds with that kind of control, it was exhilarating.

“I’m sure that his grandson (Marco) and everybody affiliated with his team are drawing from his pool currently because of the way he drives, the techniques he can teach them right now. No wonder they are doing so well.”

The elder Andretti, who has given two-seater rides to hundreds of celebrities, including Lady Gaga, two-time Olympian Aly Raisman and NBA star Kawhi Leonard, said Hammer is his favorite kind of passenger.

“He’s very passionate about things and I think he truly enjoyed it,” Andretti said. “I love that because he knows something about racing. He has sponsored some racing cars before, so happy to have someone like that experience what we have to offer.”