Blake Koch and the Golden Gate Racing Team are eager to return to the track where it all started, the All American Speedway in Roseville for the Toyota /Copart 150 presented by Golden Gate Steel and Stair. The event will be the grand finale of the NASCAR Camping World West Series and the GGRT/Richard Childress Racing Development team is ready to put the GodSpeaks.com #21 Chevrolet to the front of the field.
"We have nothing to lose. We are definitely going for the win."— Blake Koch
“I can’t wait to get to All American Speedway,” said Koch. “It’s the only track in the series that I have been to more then once and I know we have a really good package there. We have nothing to lose. We are definitely going for the win.”
Koch, of West Palm Beach Florida, began his relationship with the Golden Gate Racing Team at this event last year when he drove a secondary car to test for a future role with the team. In that event the rookie driver rallied to up into the top five in his NASCAR racing debut until overheating brakes forced him into the pits late in the race. Earlier this season he had his career best finish of fifth place in Roseville.
In the second to last NASCAR Camping World West Series event at Iowa Speedway, Koch drove the GodSpeaks.com #21 to a 20th place finish in an event where the team struggled from the time the green flag dropped in qualifying where they timed in 18th.
“We really struggled at Iowa,” added Koch. “ I just need some more experience on bigger tracks to improve my feedback on how the car is handling. I wasn’t able to give my crew chief, Steve Portenga, to much feedback. It’s a totally different feel on a bigger track and I just need some more time on them.”
Following the Iowa event, Koch is currently eighth in the NASCAR Camping World West Series point standings,. His closest rival for the Sunoco Rookie of the year award, Paulie Harraka is sixth in the standings, just 50 points ahead. Koch has a top five finish to his name and six top ten finishes in the 12-race season. Much like Koch, Portenga is ready to put Iowa behind them and return to Roseville for the only NASCAR event of this type in Northern California.
“We kept working and kept our chins up at Iowa,it was just a disappointing race for everyone,” said Portenga. “We’re looking forward to Roseville. This will be Blake’s third time there. We want to finish the season off on a good note. The team and I have confidence we will have a better finish.”
A former racer himself with many accolades to his name, Portenga knows what it takes for a race team to succeed in the competitive NASCAR Camping World Series. The Golden Gate Racing Team has decades of experience and provides Portenga and Koch with the best of equipment for each and every event.
“I really want to thank the entire Golden Gate organization and the crew from Bay Bio Diesel for all the support they give us,” said Portenga. “They have given us all the tools we have needed to have a successful year in the Camping World Series.”
Practice will begin on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. followed by qualifying at 5:10. Prior to qualifying. Team owner Jim Offenbach and the Golden Gate Racing Team in association with Richard Childress Racing, will host a barbecue dinner for NASCAR Camping World Series West Teams and all the NASCAR Personel in Roseville. The event is slated to begin at 4:30. refreshments will be provided courtesy of the Sacramento Coca Cola Bottling Company and Jack Sellers.
The Golden Gate Racing Team is thankful for each of its partners that have made the 2009 season a great success. Among the long list of supporters is GodSpeaks.com, The DayStar Television Network, Pat O’Keefe of Bay Bio Diesel, Salt Life, NOS Energy Drink 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 finish 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.
