LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Utah's Michael Self put an end to the recent bad luck streak that he and the Golden Gate Racing Team have been under over the last several weeks in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West with a top five finish last weekend on the Bullring at Las Vegas. Self wheeled the Bay Bio Diesel – Golden Gate Meat Company #21 Chevrolet to a fourth place finish in the O'Reilly Auto Parts 200 to score the first top five of the season for the team.
"Michael showed he has the talent to run up front and that's what this Richard Childress Driver Development team is all about."— Jim Offenbach, owner of the Golden Gate Racing Tea
"Michael showed he has the talent to run up front and that's what this Richard Childress Driver Development team is all about," said Jim Offenbach, owner of the Golden Gate Racing Team. "Michael's skills along with a great car and our crew chief Steve Portenga are a great combination that we feel will continue to keep the GGRT/RCR #21 running up front for the rest of the season."
In qualifying on Saturday, Self turned the fifth fastest lap of the day with a 15:238 second lap on the .375 mile Vegas Bullring. When the field took to the track for the O'Reilly Auto Parts 200, Self advanced a position when third place qualifying Derek Thorn failed to make the line up due to mechanical issues. At the start of the race, Self quickly moved into the top three positions and kept the leader in his sights for the entire race.
During the event, Self advanced as high as second in the running to pursue eventual winner and series point leader Greg Pursley. The second year NASCAR driver continued to shuffle for position in the waning laps. During the entire run he only faded back as far as the sixth position momentarily but was quick to rally back into the hunt for the lead. When the checkered flag waved Pursley took the win followed by Dylan Kwasniewski and Jason Fensler. Self crossed the line in the fourth position, earning his first top five finish and third top ten finish of the season.
"We struggled early in the day with carburetor issues in practice but we still managed 6th quick in both sessions and got the issue cleared up for qualifying to get a 5th," said Self. "The car was perfect the whole day other than the early fuel issues. We had a winning car and fought hard in the top three for the whole race which is exactly what we needed. Every race this year we have been as fast as we were on Saturday but never seemed to have the luck so hopefully this top five will help and really get our momentum rolling."
With the impressive fourth place run, Self and the Golden Gate Racing Team have come to life in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West standings. After maintaining the 8th position throughout the last three races, Self has advanced to sixth place. He currently trails the top five by three points and is 237 points behind the point leader.
"This whole Golden Gate Racing Team worked hard the whole day and worked for every position we earned in the race," added Self. "I think in the upcoming races we'll be able to capitalize on this strong run and improve on it throughout the rest of the season."
Following Vegas the Golden Gate Racing Team will head to its home track of Infineon Raceway in Sonoma where they will field two cars on the road course. NASCAR Truck star Austin Dillon will be Self's teammate for the event in the GGRT #31 that will carry the sponsorship of RCR Street Performance. Following the race in the wine country the team will return to the popular Toyota Speedway in Irwindale on July 2.
The #21 Golden Gate Racing Team/RCR Chevrolet carries the sponsorship of RCR, Bay Bio Diesel and the Golden Gate Meat Company. Additional associate sponsors that support them are the Richard Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma, Hill Meat Company, Corte Madera Tow, Harraka Racing Equipment Sales, Foodcomm International, Signco, Praxair and JW Web Design.
For an in-depth look at the Golden Gate Racing Team and additional news, visit their official website at www.goldengateracingteam.com. To learn more about the Richard Childress Racing Driver Development program visit www.rcrracing.com Michael Self's personal website can be found at www.michaelselfracing.com. All four entities can also be found on facebook, become a fan today. Saturday’s race will be broadcast on SPEED TV at a later date, check your local listings and watch the Golden Gate Racing Team in action.
