SELF GRINDS OUT LATE MODEL SHOWDOWN TOP-TEN AFTER K&N SERIES CRASH

Steven
Blakesley

Email:
steven@norcalmedia.com 

Phone:
(916) 316-4854

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

SELF GRINDS OUT LATE MODEL
SHOWDOWN TOP-TEN 

AFTER K&N SERIES CRASH

 

PARK
CITY, UTAH (February 1, 2010) – Park City, UT rookie Michael Self capped a long
and challenging weekend in his debut performance in the NASCAR Toyota All-Star
Showdown with a seventh place finish in the Late Model portion of the
activities held at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, Calif.

 

The 19
year-old Self’s main focus, however, was on the weekend’s headline 225 lap
K&N Pro Series race. His true series debut saw the young driver come from
35th on the grid into the top 15, before tangling with a veteran
racer on lap 214. Self was sent flying into the turn three wall head-on.

 

After a
lengthy evaluation from medical personnel, Self was cleared to get into his
Late Model car for the nightcap. Just 20 minutes after the incident, Self was
behind the wheel of his Late Model car, starting fourth.

 

The Late
Model event was scheduled to go 75 laps, but was a caution-ridden affair. After
several wild restarts, Self was shuffled back into eighth.

 

Self
passed for seventh place and was challenging for sixth when the race was
flagged at lap 55. After nearly 4 hours in the car and 270 laps of competition,
Self climbed out of the car complaining of back pain but reflecting on what
could have been.

 

“We had a
great car in both races,�?? Self said. “If that Late Model race had stayed green,
I think we had a chance to challenge for the win. In the K&N car, we were
closing in on a top-ten run before we were wrecked.�??

 

The
weekend started out on high note as Self led Late Model practice Thursday night
over a field of more than 40 entries. The laps marked Self’s first laps of
competition around the half-mile Toyota Speedway.

 

Friday,
Self was 27th in opening K&N Series practice before spinning and
suffering damage to the rear of his Chevrolet. The team elected to skip the
second practice session to make repairs. Self climbed back into his Late Model
and timed in third quick in their only practice for the day.

 

Self
qualified his K&N Series car 26th out of 45 entries and only a
few tenths out of the top-ten. 11 drivers behind Self were awarded provisionals
for the All-Star non-points event, forcing Self into the 50 lap Open (qualifying)
race to earn a starting position in Saturday’s 225 lapper.

 

After
riding in second position for much of the race, the race leader spun on lap 28.
Self assumed the lead and cruised for a commanding win.

 

With a
lot of confidence heading into Saturday’s races, Self qualified fourth in his
Late Model before the start of the 225 lap K&N Pro Series Toyota All-Star
Showdown.

 

A sellout
crowd of over 6500 fans packed the stands to see 40 cars starting. Self quickly
went forward from 35th on the grid, running side-by-side with series
veterans to move into 22nd by lap 52.

 

Self was
involved in many three- and four-wide battles to climb into the top-20 by the
lap 100 break.

 

Coming
out of the break, Self fought a loose condition on the car and made contact
with another racer on lap 110. Self surrendered 21st position to
come down pit road to check the car for damage.

 

With
minimal damage, Self went right back through the field. A pair of restarts on
lap 142 and lap 151 saw Self leap to 15th place. After back and
forth battling, Self was 14th heading into the lap 200 break.

 

Just 14
laps later, while battling for a strong top-15 finish, Self was involved in the
crash that ended his run. Self was credited with a 23rd place finish
in the final rundown for the K&N Pro Series event.

 

He will
now turn his attention to the season opening race for the NASCAR K&N Pro
Series West March 27 at All American Speedway in Roseville, Calif.

 

Race fans
can log on to the all-new www.michaelselfracing.com
to learn more about Michael Self Racing.

 

Michael
Self Racing is brought to you by: Viva Auto Group, Inventory Sales Company,
Motorway Motorsports, Naake Suspension Specialists, Johnnie Walker Performance,
MSquared, and Blakesley Sports Media. Sponsorship inquiries can be forwarded to
Steven Blakesley at (916) 316-4854.

 

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