French winger Antoine Griezmann scored twice and set up a third goal for Imanol Agirretxe as Sociedad gained a measure of revenge over the north-coast rivals who had helped condemn them to the drop in 2007.
Racing, who celebrate their centenary next year, have failed to register a victory in 17 matches. They have 26 points and are 12 from safety with three games left.
"It's understandable that everyone is emotionally destroyed," Racing's third coach of the campaign Alvaro Cervera told reporters.
"Now we have to do our best to represent an institution that has been around for 99 years and that deserves our maximum respect [in the remaining games]."
Racing have spent the last decade in Spain's top division but were left in disarray after a takeover by Indian businessman Ahsan Ali Syed turned sour last year.
At the other end of the table, surprise packages Levante were led to victory by Arouna Kone who opened the scoring in their 3-1 home win over Granada. It was the Ivorian's 15th league goal of the season.
In Saturday's other match, Real Mallorca were 3-1 winners in a mid-table affair at Getafe.
