Golden Gate-RCR re-sign Koch as primary west driver PR

PRESS RELEASE - GOLDEN GATE RACING TEAM, SAN FRANCISCO, CA. 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, OCTOBER 19, 2009 
TEAM WEBSITE/CONTACT: Jim Offenbach, www.goldengateracingteam.com 
GGRT MEDIA CONTACT: Bill Sullivan,  sullivanimages@sbcglobal.net 
*GRAPHICS AND PHOTOS ATTACHED 
  
Golden Gate Racing, RCR sign Koch for 2010 NASCAR West Season 
  
Major sponsorship announcement and new car scheme forthcoming next week 
  
By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations 
  
SAN FRANCISCO –  Golden Racing Team owner Jim Offenbach and Richard Childress Driver Development are proud to announce the return of Blake Koch as the primary driver for the Golden Gate Racing Team in the 2010 NASCAR Camping World West Season. This will mark Koch’s second season behind the wheel of the Golden Gate Racing Team – RCR #21 Chevrolet. 
  
            “We are pleased at Golden Gate Racing and Richard Childress Racing to have Blake back this year,�?? said Childress. “Last season there were many bright spots where Blake proved he is up to the challenge of a champion for the 2010 season.�?? 
  
            Koch was introduced to the Golden Gate Racing Team at the conclusion of the season in 2008. It was then he made an impressive drive in the season-ending event aboard the team’s secondary car. Offenbach and the team saw the potential the West Palm Beach Florida native possessed with very little car racing experience and virtually no prior time behind the wheel of a fully equipped NASCAR. 
  
            “We have signed Blake back on for the 2010 racing season and feel this will be his break- out year,�?? said Offenbach. “We will be returning to the tracks that we raced last year and Blake feels he is ready to contend for the Championship.�?? 
  
            During his debut season, Koch bonded extremely well with Offenbach, Childress and the entire Golden Gate Racing Team staff. His close relationship with crew chief Steve Portenga, a former championship driver himself, was one of the key elements to the team’s most recent success. The communication between owner, crew and driver provided multiple strong finishes with very little damage to the team’s equipment. 
  
            “I like running up front,�?? added Offenbach. “With the knowledge that my crew chief Steve Portenga has, along with this entire GGRT/ RCR Development Team and our top notch equipment, I feel we have what it takes to win races next year and run for a championship.�?? 
  
            In 2009, Koch competed in all 13 of the NASCAR Camping World Series events. He finished in the top five on one occasion and had six top ten finishes. He raced for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award in a coveted battle with eventual winner Paulie Harraka. This contest was as closely followed as the series championship throughout the year. 
  
            Koch and Offenbach finalized their contract for the 2010 racing season late last week. Now the former motocross rider and late model driver is ready to make his second NASCAR season one of championship contention. 
  
            “I am really excited and appreciative to be driving for the Golden Gate Racing Team and Richard Childress Racing again,�?? said Koch. “It’s comforting to know I have a great shot at winning races with the equipment, knowledge and team members that they provide me with. We got the Rookie year out of the way. Now it’s time to go win races.�?? 
  
            In addition to Koch, the Golden Gate Racing Team is proud to announce that longtime sponsor and team member Pat O’Keefe will be back behind the wheel of the second team car for a number of events. O’Keefe is the owner of Bay Bio Diesel with many years of modified and stock car racing experience. 
  
            “We are really pleased that Pat will be back next year,�?? added Offenbach. “He is very important in making our whole program excel on and off the track.�?? 
  
            In the next week the Golden Gate Racing team will make a major announcement regarding sponsorship for the season to come as well as a new car design. To learn more about that upcoming event follow the team at their official website at www.goldengateracingteam.com. 
            The Golden Gate Racing Team wishes to thank each of its marketing partners for the 2009 season including Richard Childress Driver Development, GodSpeaks.com, the DayStar Television Network, Bay Bio Diesel, Salt Life Apparel, Spy Sunglasses, Superior Farms, Hill Meat Company of Pendelton, Oregon, NOS Energy Drinks and Sullivan Images Media Specialties. 
Watch for further information on the upcoming season on the Golden Gate Racing- Richard Childress Driver Development Racing Team at the official team website at www.goldengateracingteam.com. For further information on the Richard Childress Driver Development Series visit www.rcrracing.com. 
  
  
PHOTO CAPTION INFORMATION: 
  
Richard Childress (left) and Jim Offenbach (right) have announced that Blake Koch of West Palm Beach Florida (center) will return as the primary driver of the Golden Gate Racing Team- RCR #21 Chevrolet for the 2010 NASCAR Camping World Season.                                                                     - Photo by Pat Brandon.