Golden Gate Racing Team ready for Utah

PRESS RELEASE - GOLDEN GATE RACING TEAM, SAN FRANCISCO, CA.
A RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING DRIVER DEVELOPMENT TEAM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JULY 25, 2009
TEAM WEBSITE/CONTACT: Jim Offenbach, www.goldengateracingteam.com
GGRT MEDIA CONTACT: Bill Sullivan,  sullivanimages@sbcglobal.net

 

 
Total teamwork; driver Blake Koch (left) and Golden Gate Racing Team crew chief Steve Portenga are ready for the third roadcourse in the NASCAR Camping World West Series next weekend. 
Pat Brandon Photo
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After 12th in Portland, Koch & GGRT ready for next roadcourse
 
By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations
 
SAN FRANCISCO –  Despite some mechanical problems early in the race, Florida’s Blake Koch drove the Golden Gate Racing Team- Richard Childress Development #21 GodSpeaks.com Chevrolet to an 12th place finish at Portland International Speedway last week in the Bi-Mart 125. After their second solid run on a road course this season, the San Francisco based team is ready to roll for the third and final road course of the season, August 1, at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele Utah.
 
            “Blake has really made improvement with each race,�?? said Steve Portenga, Crew Chief for the GodSpeaks.com Chevrolet. “We had a minor mechanical problem during the race but Blake did good to keep the car on the lead lap. We are coming up on our third roadcourse, hopefully the third time is the charm.�??
 
            Prior to this season, Koch had very little experience in NASCAR Competition and had never raced on a road course. In Sonoma he made his right hand turning debut with a 12th place finish respectively. After finishing 12th in the most recent event Koch and the entire team are confident heading into Utah next week.
 
            “Portland was awesome, there were so many fans that showed up and everyone did a great job promoting the event,�?? said Koch. “We noticed a broken sway bar early in the race and every time a caution came out we pitted and tried to fix it. The crew did a great job all day with the numerous pit stops. Our main goal for the race was just to stay on the lead lap. I had a great time on the road course and I’m ready for the next one.�??
 
            In Portland, Koch was the third fastest driver in practice and qualified 11th on the 1.967 road course. In the event, Koch fell back in the field following the discovery of broken sway bar after the green flag and being forced to make multiple pit stops. It was patience and great pit strategy that allowed the team to rally back to finish just out of the top ten for the second time this season.
 
            Following Portland, Koch is currently seventh in the NASCAR Camping World West Series point standings. He is in a tight contest for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year title with fellow driver Paulie Harraka of New Jersey. In nine NASCAR Camping World West Series starts this season Koch has one top five finish and five top ten finishes. 
 
            The Golden Gate Racing Team is grateful for each of its partners for the 2009 season including GodSpeaks.com, DayStar Television Network as well as Pat O’Keefe of Bay Bio Diesel and the Richard Childress Racing Driver Development Program. Due to the strong support of all of their dedicated sponsors, GGRT is well on their way to a successful campaign in the NASCAR Camping World West Series.
            For additional information on the Golden Gate Racing Team please visit the team website at www.goldengateracingteam.com. Blake Koch’s personal web page can be viewed at www.blakekoch.com. For further information on the Richard Childress Driver Development Series visit www.rcrracing.com.