SPOKANE, Washington -- Utah’s Michael Self and the Golden Gate Racing Team continued to use fine tuned consistency in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West this past weekend to score another top finish in a season that has had its share of tough luck early in the running. Making their debut at Spokane County Raceway, the San Francisco based team that carries the support of the Richard Childress Racing Driver Development program of Welcome, North Carolina muscled its way to a sixth place finish on the historical half mile.
"Michael and the team did a great job in Spokane."— Jim Offenbach
“Spokane was a decent turn around for us,” said Self, in his first full season as an RCR Development Driver. “It was nice to get a little good luck for a change and finish strong in two races in a row. We still have some work to do to start getting to the front consistently but I know we can make it happen.”
Twenty two cars took to the track for qualifying Saturday in the first race in Spokane for the series since 1973. Driving the Bay Bio Diesel – Golden Gate Meat Company #21 Chevrolet, Self clocked a top speed of 94:747 miles per hour on the competitive half mile track. The effort earned him the eighth place qualifying position for the start of the Spokane 200.
Practicing great patience and combining that with his never give up driving style, Saturday’s race was meant to become a turning point for Self and the boys of the bay in a season that has been a wild roller coaster ride of strong finishes and disappointing finishes that were routinely no fault of their own. On this weekend the team brought their consistency back to the table and drove their way to a strong points run as they edge their way to the top five in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West championship standings with just two events left on the 2011 tour.
“Michael and the team did a great job in Spokane,” said Jim Offenbach, owner of the Golden Gate/RCR Racing Team. “I know everyone on this team is hungry for a win, especially that talented kid behind the wheel. It will come in time. Everyone is working really hard to come back into this points chase after some tough races. That’s what I love about this whole team, everyone on it has a passion for what they do and gives it their all even after some tough breaks have knocked them down this year.”
At the waving of the checkered flag in Spokane, Self rolled across the line in sixth place right behind veteran driver Moses Smith. Former Champion Eric Holmes won the event followed by Dylan Kawasniewski, Greg Pursley and Luis Martinez Jr. Needless to say, Self was in the company of the top dogs of the series when he crossed the checkered flag.
