SAN FRANCISCO, California — The Golden Gate Racing Team scored their fifth top ten finish of the season Sunday in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West. The venue was the Bi-Mart Salute to the Troops 125 at Portland International Raceway and when the checkered flag flew sophomore driver Blake Koch had garnered a strong sixth place in the Daystar Television Network #21 that carries the support of Richard Childress Racing Development.
Koch started Sunday's second road course event of the 2010 12-race NASCAR K&N Pro Series West series in the third position after a strong qualifying run earlier in the day. In qualifying, Koch turned the third fastest lap of the afternoon with a speed of 94.089 miles per hour on the 1.967 mile course.
In the early laps of the race, Koch raced in the wake of pole sitter David Mayhew and second place starter Patrick Long. Later in the event series veteran Greg Pursley moved into the hunt and assumed the lead while Koch began pressuring him from the second position. There were several opportunities where Koch was able to nose to the inside of Pursley and challenge for the lead, but refrained from making such a risky move that could result in a dismal finish for both top runners.
"When the 26 car was leading we were pressuring him really hard," said Koch. "I knew it was still pretty early in the race and I didn't want to take a chance of moving him off the racetrack. Pursley has a lot of experience and he is not a guy I wanted to get on the bad side of this early in the season so I tried to be patient."
While Koch was cautiously pursuing Pursley for the lead, Long moved back into the hunt and challenged for the bridesmaid position . With 45 laps complete, Long moved into the second position and Koch tucked in close behind the well known road racers in hopes of passing Pursley together in the coming laps.
"Patrick Long caught up with us when were battling and I knew he was fast so when he looked inside to pass me I gave it tom him hoping I could follow him past Pursley," said Koch,
Long moved into the lead one lap later while Koch continued to duel with Pursley for the bridesmaid position. After several laps of using great patience and caution, Koch turned up the aggression in an effort to gain ground on Pursley. His effort fell short when he spun off the track and fell back several positions.
"I still couldn't get past him (Pursley)," said Koch. "He was faster than me in the passing zones and I was faster everywhere else. So I finally went for the pass in a place I probably shouldn't have and spun myself out. I just lost the rear end under braking and I wouldn't have just let the car go I would have taken us both out for my mistake."
Koch recovered in the closing laps to finish an impressive sixth place on Saturday. With the finish he maintains the seventh position in the NASCAR K&N Filters Pro Series West and will head to Montana Raceway Park for the third road course event of the season on August 7.
We had a top three car for sure, we were able to battle for the lead at times and that always feels good," said Koch. "All in all it a really fun weekend for the team and we're looking forward to Montana."
The Golden Gate Racing – RCR Racing Team #21 is sponsored for the 2010 season by the Daystar Television Network. Koch and this veteran team that is owned by Offenbach with the support of Richard Childress Racing is unique, as it is one of few motor sports venues that has partnered with several successful faith-based organizations. They strive to carry a positive message to the NASCAR community at every event where they compete and along the highways in which their impressive hauler is visible — traveling from race to race in pursuit of the 2010 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Championship.
Associate sponsors on the DayStar Television Network Chevrolet include Tire Kingdom and I Am Second. Additional associate sponsors currently include the Golden Gate Meat Company, Superior Lamb Company, Bay Bio-Diesel/Golden Gate Petroleum, Hill Meat Company, Foodcomm International, Signco and Harraka Racing Equipment Sales.
For an in-depth look at the Golden Gate Racing Team and additional news, visit their website at www.goldengateracingteam.com.
