UKIAH, California — While the Golden Gate Racing Team is best known for it's popularity in the high profile NASCAR K&N Pro Series West, the San Francisco based driver development team that carries the support of the famed Richard Childress Racing continues to field teams in various grassroots form of asphalt racing. One such driver is Upper Lake's Gary Lowblad who recently celebrated a hard earned victory at Ukiah Speedway.
Competing in the Rental Solution Modifieds, Lowblad muscled the Golden Gate Meat Company #88a Modified to the front of the feature event to post his first victory of the season at Ukiah. The initial lead of the event was assumed by veteran Mikey Snider as he took command of the field at the waving of the green flag. Lowblad quickly worked his way into the hunt for the lead as early as the opening lap.
After overtaking second place runner Ken Bush, Lowblad pursued Snider for the lead and overtook the top position with an outside pass on the backstretch on the fifth lap. Once he was in front, Lowblad maintained the lead all the way to the checkered flag to score the victory that he later dedicated to a very special person that influenced his racing career, the late Ray Offenbach. Ray was best known as "Daddy Ray" in the racing community and passed away a little over a month ago. Daddy Ray was the father of Golden Gate Racing Team owner Jim Offenbach who continues to support Lowblad's team today, a team in which "Daddy Ray"always held a special place in his heart for all the way up to his recent passing.
"Daddy Ray was a very special person to me, he was the one that got me in the seat of this car," said Lowblad. "Everyone really misses him, he was a very special man and loved this sport and the Golden Gate Racing Team. This win is dedicated to him for everything he did for me."
"My Dad loved this sport but he especially loved this modified team and he really like Gary," said Jim Offenbach. "It was because of my Dad I continue to run that team. He would be very proud of Gary on this win and flattered with the dedication, I too am really proud of him with his recent win. He's a great driver and he'll have more coming his way."
For an in-depth look at the Golden Gate Racing Team and additional news, visit their website at www.goldengateracingteam.com.
