Source: Golden Gate Racing/jw
Date: 06/29/2007

July is a busy time for the Grand National West drivers with 3 races in 3 states in just over 2 weeks, and Ryan Foster is fired up and ready to return to oval track racing and continue his climb up the championship ladder. "Infineon was a great experience. Just to have the chance to run at one of the best road courses in the country was exciting. It was definitely tough," Foster said in the garage after the race. "We had a rough start early on, but managed to salvage a decent finish. All in all it was a good points day for us." The Anderson, CA driver finished in 13th place - a very respectable position considering this was his very first Grand National road course adventure. At one point in the race Foster had used pit strategy and his hard-charging driving style to work his way up to 2nd place. Now, poised in 8th place in overall championship points and just a few points out of the Rookie points lead, the next few races will be a great way to narrow the margin to the championship.

There was a ton of support for Foster at the wine country track in Sonoma. The facility is close to San Francisco, hometown to the team, so a contention of local area sponsors had an opportunity to come out and enjoy the day. Pat and Lori O'Keefe from Golden Gate Petroleum and Bay Biodeisel were on hand to see their spotlight sponsorship at work. The supporters from Roto-Rooter in the Bay Area were also in attendance, as well as Ken Walker and friends from Corte Madera Tow. Offenbach welcomed folks from the newest sponsor Keith Fontana Construction in San Raphael to the event. “It is great to have Keith Fontana Construction come onboard mid-season like this, and it was good timing that they had a chance to meet Ryan and the team.” Said car owner, Jim Offenbach. Offenbach was of course there and spent the long NASCAR weekend with Richard Childress and some of the RCR entourage. "Having Richard Childress at the races is a huge boost - his advice and support is going to be a key factor in getting us to the front of this series." Said both Offenbach and Foster.

Saturday June 30, the GGRT driver and the Grand National West tour will be racing the 3/8th mile oval at the Douglas County Speedway in Roseburg, OR. Foster was raised on short tracks and can’t wait to let the reigns out a bit on his Golden Gate Racing Monte Carlo. Getting to the front and staying there is the key strategy on tracks like this. The team is working hard this week to maximize the horsepower of the car for the Bi-Mart Firecracker 150.

After a hopefully strong finish in Oregon the team will regroup and head to Irwindale Speedway for the Fourth of July show. Tim McCreadie will be joining them as he is slated to run the other Golden Gate Racing car. This weekend McCreadie, who drives the #31 Golden Gate Racing / RCR Driver Development car, will be running the New England 125 at the New Hampshire International Speedway, Loudon. Irwindale is a big, fast track and the King Taco 200 will be a standing room only event and promises to be one of the most exciting races of the season. A full half-mile with high banking means plenty of speed and action - which is just what Foster likes.

On July 14th the team will tow to Tooele Utah's Miller Motorsports Park for the second road course event of the season. Taking what he learned from the monstrous Infineon track Foster will be more comfortable with the right turns and finenesses of the long, flat road course. This top-drawer facility features a 2.2 mile winding course, a long high-speed straight-away, and some good banking on the wide turns. The team, headed up by crew chief Steve Portenga, will bring to the track all the data and experiences gathered while working with Foster at Sonoma and use it to set up the car to its fullest potential.

You can keep up to date with Ryan Foster, Tim McCreadie and Golden Gate Racing Team at their website – www.goldengateracingteam .com - join the fan club.

See Also .:

• Ryan Foster Driver Card
• Douglas County Speedway Track Page

News Index | E-mail to a Friend