Blake Koch - Driver #21

Pat O'Keefe - Driver #31

Blake Koch drove the Golden Gate Racing Team’s GodSpeaks.com #21 to 11th place in Saturday’s Bennett Lane Winery 200 at Sonoma .


Koch and O’Keefe drive to impressive finishes in road course racing debut during Bennett Lane Winery 200 at Infineon

By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations

Photo by Pat Brandon

SONOMA – The Golden Gate Racing Team and Richard Childress Racing Development are proud to announce a weekend of great success in the Bennett Lane Winery 200 at Infineon Raceway.

With two drivers competing in their very first road course events, the checkered flag waved at the end of the day with primary driver Blake Koch placing 11th in the GodSpeaks.com #21 Chevrolet and Pat O’Keefe placing 18th in the Bay BioDiesel #31 Chevrolet. Both drivers charged from deep in the field to earn their respective finishes.

“This is an owners dream, we ran in the top ten for much of the race and without a scratch on the either car,” said team owner Jim Offenbach. “Both cars did well and I am proud of Blake and Pat. Not only was this Blake’s first road course, it was Pat’s first NASCAR Camping World West Road Course event this year and he finished 18th respectively. I’m very proud of this whole team”

Koch qualified 23rd for Saturday’s race and once again illustrated great patience throughout the day to carefully work his way through the twists and turns of the 11-turn road course in the hills of Sonoma. Despite an early misjudged pit stop, Koch became the highest finishing rookie in the race, earning the Sunoco Rookie of the Race award for the second time this season.

“I’m really happy with the way our day turned out, I didn’t know what to expect coming into a road course with no experience at all,” said Koch. “When I started the race I thought we had an ignition problem and came in which was unfortunate. Had I switched over the back up system I think I could have been in the top ten. But I’m very happy with this finish. I have to thank Steve Portenga (crew chief) and God for all of their guidance here.”

A former driver himself, Portenga is known for his great communication with Golden Gate Racing Team’s drivers and crew. Saturday was no exception as he walked Koch through every turn and twist over the radio. In the end he too was impressed with the outcome.

“Our mission was accomplished in Sonoma , we did exactly what we set out to do,” said Portenga. “Blake was very careful, we had a good strong finish and we ended up moving up a spot in the point standings and taking the rookie lead over again. I was happy with both cars, Pat was out there to have a good time and he did just that. He stayed out of trouble and moved up really well. Both cars came back from Infineon intact, I’m happy with the way these guys performed.”

Saturday’s event was one of the few that take place during the year in which the Camping World West Series and the Sprint Cup Series compete on the same weekend. It’s events like this that provide Richard Childress, President of Richard Childress Racing, an opportunity to watch his development drivers, such as Koch, from the top of the pit box and view the team’s progress in person.

“Blake proved he is up to any challenge we throw at him,” said Childress. “I was impressed how he handled this tough road course.”

Following Saturday’s success, Koch and the Godspeaks.com #21 Chevrolet are now eighth in the overall NASCAR Camping World West Series point standings. Seven races are complete in the 13 race campaign. Koch earned the Sunoco Rookie of the race award for the second time this season after becoming the highest finishing rookie driver in Saturday’s race.

For O’Keefe, Saturday was not only his first road course, it marked his first race of the year behind the wheel of Offenbach ’s second car. The Pleasant Hill resident who is the vice president of longtime team sponsor Bay BioDiesel qualified 37th and finished 18th at the end of the day.
“We had a great time,” said O’Keefe, a former successful Jet Ski racer and Grand American Modified driver. “I learned a ton during the race. We are happy with the finish and the car came home in one piece.”
O’Keefe is scheduled to race a limited number of races with Golden Gate throughout the season.
The Golden Gate Racing Team is grateful for each of its partners for the 2009 season including GodSpeaks.com, DayStar Television Network as well as Bio Diesel and the Richard Childress Racing Driver Development Program. Due to the strong support of all of their dedicated sponsors, GGRT is well on their way to a successful campaign in the NASCAR Camping World West Series.
For additional information on the Golden Gate Racing Team please visit the team website at www.goldengateracingteam.com. Blake Koch’s personal web page can be viewed at www.blakekoch.com. For further information on the Richard Childress Driver Development Series visit www.rcrracing.com.

June 19th, 2009
Koch survives road course qualifying debut to make the cut with GGRT teammate O’Keefe for Bennett Lane Winery 200
By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations

SONOMA – Prior to Friday afternoon, Blake Koch of West Palm Beach Florida has never even driven on a road course. When the checkered flag waved on the final group of qualifiers at Infineon Raceway for the NASCAR Camping World West series, Koch accomplished what he set out to do from the moment he arrived in the Wine Country.

The primary driver of the Golden Gate Racing –Richard Childress Racing Development team drove the Godspeaks.com #21 Chevrolet into the starting field of Saturday’s Bennett Lane Winery 200 by Supercuts. Koch will be joined in the line up by teammate Pat O’Keefe who muscled the Bay BioDiesel GGRT/RCR #31 into Saturday’s race after his first time in the driver’s seat this season.

“For my first time on a road course I was pretty happy with the time,” said Koch. “The important thing was, we got faster every time we went out during the day.”

Koch drove the GodSpeaks.com #21 to the 23rd position in qualifying. The former motocrosser who’s four wheeled racing experience includes speedway trucks and late models prior to the NASCAR West series reached a top speed of 88:655 miles per hour around the 11 turn Infineon Raceway to earn a lap time of 80.808 seconds.

O’Keefe is the Vice President of BayBio Diesel, a longtime marketing partner to Golden Gate Racing., The former jet ski and modified racer competes in a limited number of races during the season. Friday was O’Keefe’s first event of 2009, he made the show with a speed of 85.351 seconds and a laptime of 83.936 seconds, earning him 36th in the line up that will include 40 cars Saturday afternoon.

The Golden Gate Racing Team is grateful for each of its partners for the 2009 season including GodSpeaks.com, DayStar Television Network as well as Pat O’Keefe of Bay Bio Diesel and the Richard Childress Racing Driver Development Program. Due to the strong support of all of their dedicated sponsors, GGRT is well on their way to a successful campaign in the NASCAR Camping World West Series.

GGRT at Infineon; O’Keefe to join Koch in secondary team car
By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations
SONOMA – The entire Golden Gate Racing Team is geared up for action at the track closest to home this Saturday, June 20 as the Godspeaks.com #21 of Blake Koch will make its first road course appearance of the 2009 NASCAR Camping World West season. The San Francisco based Richard Childress team will field two cars for this event with secondary driver Pat O’Keefe behind the wheel of the GGRT #31 Bay BioDiesel Chevrolet for the Bennett Lane Winery 200 presented by Supercuts.

“Golden Gate Racing and Richard Childress are excited to be bringing both cars to Infineon,” said team owner Jim Offenbach. ”Pat O’Keefe has been a great partner to this team and it’s always a pleasure to get him behind the wheel. Blake and the entire team are looking forward to this.”

O’Keefe is the Vice President of Golden Gate Petroleum and Bay Bio Diesel, a key sponsor to the Golden Gate Racing Team since 2007. In 2004 O’Keefe was the Modified Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Driver at Altamont Raceway when he finished as the runner up to the season championship after advancing from a career in shifter kart racing. In addition to racing cars, O’Keefe has been racing jet skis since the age of 14. the Pleasant Hill resident won the International Jet Sports Boating Association State Novice Championship in 1992 and 1993.

Shortly after his partnership with Golden Gate Racing Team was born, O’ Keefe was encouraged by Offenbach and the team to test drive the #31 GGRT Chevrolet at Altamont . After posting lap times that would have earned him a top spot in the most recent event at the facility he accepted the team’s offer to run the secondary car on a limited schedule in 2008 and 2009. This weekend, O’Keefe will join Koch on the eleven turn Infineon Raceway.
“I’m really excited for this upcoming race,” said O’Keefe. “I look forward to a strong finish along with Blake.”

Saturday’s event is the 7th segment of the 13-race NASCAR Camping World West Campaign. So far Koch has driven the Godspeaks.com Chevrolet to 9th in the series point standings and is tied for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award with Paulie Harraka of New Jersey . As the series stretches past the halfway point, Infineon will be the first of three road course events on the tour. For Koch, it will be the first time he has ever raced on a road course.
“I have absolutely no road course experience in a stock car, sports car or a even a go kart,” said Koch, who’s young career includes late models, speedway trucks and motocross. “I am really praying to God for a natural transition this weekend.”

Throughout the season, Koch has developed a strong relationship with GGRT Crew Chief Steve Portenga. A former driver himself, Portenga has worked closely with Koch to develop his skills behind the wheel. It is this type of teamwork that illustrates what Richard Childress Racing Driver Development program is all about, developing the future stars of NASCAR and Koch is listening week after week.

“I really don’t know what to expect,” said Koch. “All I know is that Golden Gate Racing and Richard Childress provide the best equipment out there. I know that Steve will help me out big time like he has at all the other tracks new to me.”

Koch has adapted to many tracks this season during his tenure with the Golden Gate Racing Team. While most of his new ventures have brought him to tracks much larger than he has raced on before, Infineon is a whole new venue and will throw more than 640 twists and turns his way during the race. Despite the challenge ahead, Koch has faith he will succeed.

“This race is pretty close to home for this team and its sponsors. I would love to get a good finish for them,” said Koch. “I am going to do the best that I can. God has my back. So I am sure we will do just fine.”

Since round six in Roseburg , Oregon just two weeks ago, Portenga has been busy in Golden Gates’ Bakersfield based stable preparing both cars for this upcoming race. The veteran wrench is confident that his driver will adapt well on Saturday and that both cars will be well prepared.

“Blake has been adapting all year long and throwing him on a road course at this stage is going to be good for his learning curve,” said Portenga. “I am confident we will give him a good car. Jim ( Offenbach ) always gives us the right tools to succeed. The key to our success this weekend will be keeping it on the black stuff and not braking anything.”

The Golden Gate Racing Team is grateful for each of its partners for the 2009 season including GodSpeaks.com, DayStar Television Network as well as Pat O’Keefe of Bay Bio Diesel and the Richard Childress Racing Driver Development Program. Due to the strong support of all of their dedicated sponsors, GGRT is well on their way to a successful campaign in the NASCAR Camping World West Series.

Blake Koch’s personal web page can be viewed at www.blakekoch.com. For further information on the Richard Childress Driver Development Series visit www.rcrracing.com.


Jim Offenbach shakes hands with Blake Koch before the race

Koch and Golden Gate Racing team roll a lucky seven at Douglas County’s NAPA 150/BI Mart `50 to earn Sunoco Rookie of the Race Award

June 07, 2009 By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations
ROSEBURG, OR – A trip to the Pacific Northwest garnered a weekend of success for the Golden Gate Racing/Richard Childress Racing Driver Development team in the NASCAR Camping World West Series. The magic number of the race was seven as driver Blake Koch muscled the GodSpeaks.com #21 Chevrolet to seventh positions in practice, qualifying and the 150 lap feature in the NAPA/Bi Mart 150 at Douglas County Speedway in Roseburg, Oregon.

“Blake and the entire Godspeaks.com team did a great job, with as little experience as Blake has and never being at these tracks,” said Jim Offenbach, owner of the Golden Gate Racing Team which fields the GodSpeaks.com #21 in the Richard Childress Racing Development program. “All of us at Golden Gate Racing and RCR are very pleased.”

During practice for Saturday’s event, the sixth segment of the Camping World West campaign, crew chief Steve Portenga and the talented Golden Gate Racing Team crew had the Godspeaks.com #21 dialed to near perfection for Koch. The first year NASCAR driver went out for the warm up session and clocked the seventh fastest lap of the day with a 15:532 second lap on the .375 mile track. Koch’s top speed was 86.917 miles per hour.

In qualifying, the team rolled their second seven of the night as Koch clocked in the seventh position with a lap time of 15:536. Top speed during qualifying was recorded at 86.875 miles per hour. The time placed Koch one position ahead of fellow driver Paulie Harraka, his closest competitor in the Sunoco Rookie of the Year contest.

“The car was great for me, Steve Portenga and the whole crew did a great job,” said Koch. “Steve is doing an incredible job as my crew chief, my spotter and my racing mentor. What a great guy.”

When the green flag flew for the start of the feature race, Koch’s fare luck that graced him during the preliminary program went array when he suffered a spin on the opening lap, but the misfortune didn’t set him back for long.

“We had such a good day going for us I couldn’t believe it,” said Koch. “The first lap I got spun around. But it didn’t do any damage and I was able to recover without losing a lap.”

Koch quickly recovered and fell back into position deep in the field. Just a few laps later the race went under caution after Harraka went off the track in turn 3 with damage and scattered debris on the racing surface. During the seventh lap, Koch pitted under the yellow flag and the crew went to work making the necessary adjustments that would prepare him for the forthcoming rally back to the top ten.

Upon his return to the track Koch began advancing through the field. With 11 laps down he was 13th and used great patience to begin working his way back into the top ten. Driving his way as high as the sixth position, Koch would settle for a seventh position after former champion Mike David passed him on the 128th lap.

Ending the day with his seventh place position, Koch was awarded the Sunoco Rookie of the Race Award and is now tied in the Rookie points with Harraka heading into the seventh round of competition at Infineon Raceway on June 20.

“It was good to make up some ground on the rookie points,” said Koch, who will head to the teams closest race to home for the first of three road course events next week. “This next race is important for us. I give God and my crew all the credit for this comeback from 17th to 7th place.”

In the upcoming event at Infineon, Golden Gate Racing will field two cars; the primary car of Blake Koch will be joined by the second team car, the #31 that will be driven by GGRT Crew member and longtime sponsor, Pat O’Keefe of Bay Bio Diesel. Additional information on this event will be announced in the coming days.

The Golden Gate Racing Team is grateful for each of its partners for the 2009 season including GodSpeaks.com, DayStar Television Network as well as Pat O’Keefe of Bay Bio Diesel and the Richard Childress Racing Driver Development Program. Due to the strong support of all of their dedicated sponsors, GGRT is well on their way to a successful campaign in the NASCAR Camping World West Series.

For additional information: Blake Koch’s personal web page can be viewed at www.blakekoch.com. For further information on the Richard Childress Driver Development Series visit www.rcrracing.com

Golden Gate Racing Team aims to rally back to the front in NASCAR Camping World Douglas Speedway event

By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations
June 2, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO - After chasing a series of unfortunate events in round five of the NASCAR Camping World West championship at Iowa Speedway, Blake Koch and the Richard Childress Development Golden Gate Racing Team are ready to bring the GodSpeaks.com #21 Chevrolet to the forefront at the .375 mile Douglas County Speedway in Roseburg, Oregon this Saturday in the Toyota/Bi-Mart 150 presented by Napa Auto Parts.

Entering the June 6 event, Koch and the Golden Gate Racing Team are currently 9th in the NASCAR Camping World West Championship point standings. Koch remains in a tight battle for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year title with New Jersey native Paulie Harraka. Currently, Koch sits ninth overall in the west series point standings and in the second position in the Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings, trailing Harraka by single digits in that contest.

“I’m ready for Oregon,” said Koch. “I learned a ton in this race. Without the little mistakes that happened, we would have been a top 10 car. When we work out the kinks our team is going to be dangerous”

The fifth round of the series brought GGRT and the GodSpeaks.com #21 Chevrolet Team to the famed Iowa Speedway. The event was the only East-West combination race of the season, bringing the best drivers of both tours together in one barnstormer event. A special appearance brought Nextel Cup star Kyle Bush to the list of entrants to test his skill against the many future stars of NASCAR.

“When I got to Iowa the first thing I wanted to accomplish was getting to know the track, its just under a mile long and is super fast,” said Koch. “Saturday I was sitting 32nd out of 37 cars in practice so I knew I had to pick up a lot of time before Sunday. I got to discuss the track and some things that could get me going faster with my crew chief and we moved up to 21st in practice by Sunday morning.”

While Koch was 21st in the practice times, the GodSpeaks.com Chevrolet was a mere tenth of a second out of the top 15, illustrating the tight competition the East vs. West event would feature later in the day.

In qualifying, Koch posted his quickest time of the weekend, posting a 24.17 second lap. The effort would earn him the 22nd position on the roster and deep in the field for the start of the event.

“I laid down my fastest lap of the weekend,” said Koch. “I was less then a tenth of a second out of the top 15 and ended up 22nd.”

After qualifying, Koch participated in the event autograph session before some 30,000 race fans. Iowa Speedway is one of the most popular venues for the NASCAR Camping World Series as spectators have the opportunity to see the best drivers from both series’.

Following a rain delay, the feature race started and Koch quickly drove up to the 18th position prior to caution that flew during the first 30 laps of the event. In the next green flag run he advanced to the 14th position. Following a pit stop he neared the top ten positions but returned to his pit box for additional fuel, setting him back deep in the field once again.

“It was an unfortunate situation in the pits,” said Koch. “But my crew chief determined we had not fueled the car enough to make the full run and had me come back in. So for the next 100 laps I as trying as hard as I could to make up lost ground.”

Koch rallied back to the top 12 with 10 laps to go in the event. Although a top 12 finish would be an accomplishment considering the climb from the back, Koch gave the GodSpeaks.com #21 one final push that ended with a collision into the wall and a 16TH place finish overall.

“I had caught up to 11th and the team was happy with the way we things were going,” said Koch. “As a racer 11th just wasn’t good enough for me so I went all over for it. I ended up over driving the corner and putting myself into the wall. The car got some damage but I stayed out and passed three of the eight cars that passed me during the incident.”

At the end of the day Koch finished 16th overall in the race and finished 9th in the West campaign. This Saturday he looks to rally back into the lead for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year campaign and give the Golden Gate Racing Team and GodSpeaks.com a top finish.

“Blake learned a lot in this race,” said Jim Offenbach, owner of the Golden Gate Racing Team. “That’s what Golden Gate Racing and the Richard Childress Racing Development program is all about. I’m sure we will run strong when we come back here later in the year with the Camping World Truck Series.”

The Golden Gate Racing Team is grateful for each of its partners for the 2009 season including GodSpeaks.com, DayStar Television Network as well as Pat O’Keefe of Bay Bio Diesel and the Richard Childress Racing Driver Development Program. Due to the strong support of all of their dedicated sponsors, GGRT is well on their way to a successful campaign in the NASCAR Camping World West Series.

Blake Koch’s personal web page can be viewed at www.blakekoch.com. For further information on the Richard Childress Driver Development Series visit www.rcrracing.com.

After a 16th place finish at Iowa Speedway, Blake Koch at the Golden Gate
Racing team are looking for a top finish in Roseburg, OR this Saturday in the
Toyota/Bi Mart 150.


Blake Koch (left), driver of the Golden Gate Racing Team’s GodSpeaks.com #21 will go head to head with drivers of the east, including RCR Development teammate Austin Dillon. (Pat Brandon Photo)

Koch and Golden Gate Racing Team bound for Iowa Speedway

By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations
NEWTON, IA – It’s the second big track on the 2009 NASCAR Camping World Series West Tour. The Golden Gate Racing Team is ready. Driver Blake Koch is ready and the GodSpeaks.com #21 Chevrolet is ready for action at Iowa Speedway this Sunday as the drivers of the Camping World Series West go head to head with those of the East Series in the Long John Silvers 200. READ MORE...

Total teamwork is leading to great success for the Golden Gate Racing Team in the NASCAR Camping World West Series where driver Blake Koch is currently tied for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year title after three racing in the tour.

Teamwork overcomes adversity; Koch and Golden Gate Racing Team rally to13th in Madera NAPA Auto Parts-Toyota 150
By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations
MADERA, CA – Coming off a strong seventh place finish just one week ago in Phoenix, the San Francisco based Richard Childress Racing Development-Golden Gate Racing Team returned to race close to home Saturday, April 25 in Madera, California for the NAPA Auto Parts-Toyota 150 presented by Exclusive Energy Drink. READ MORE...

The DayStar Television Network has signed on with Blake Koch and the Golden Gate Racing Team for the remainder of the 2009 NASCAR Camping World West Series.

DayStar Network signs with Blake Koch and the Golden Gate Racing GodSpeaks.com #21 NASCAR Camping World team

By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations
April 9, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The Richard Childress Racing Development -Golden Gate Racing Team and driver Blake Koch are proud to announce the signing of the DayStar Television Network as a new associate sponsor. The DayStar Television Network will join GodSpeaks.com and Bay Bio Diesel in the sponsorship of the #21 Chevrolet for the remainder of the 2009 NASCAR Camping World West Series.  READ MORE...

Koch and crew bring Golden Gate Racing Godspeaks.com #21 to first top five finish of the season in Toyota/Napa 150

By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations
April 4, 2009 - ROSEVILLE, CA – The San Francisco based Richard Childress Racing Development -Golden Gate Racing Team is celebrating its first top five finish of the 2009 NASCAR Camping World West season after primary driver Blake Koch drove the GodSpeaks.com-Bay Bio Diesel-Daystar Network #21 Chevrolet to fifth place in the Toyota – Napa 150 at All American Speedway in Roseville, California Saturday night. - READ MORE...

Blake Koch and the #21 at Kyle Texas Season Opener

Golden Gate Racing Team and Koch are bound for Roseville for round two of NASCAR Camping World Series

By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The Richard Childress Racing Development -Golden Gate Racing Team and primary driver Blake Koch are ready roll into Roseville, California this Saturday for the Toyota-Napa Auto Parts 150 at the All American Speedway in Roseville.  - READ MORE...

Golden Gate Racing Team brings GodSpeaks.com #21 to eleventh place finish in Texas NASCAR Camping World Opener
By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations

March 19th, 2009
KYLE TEXAS – The San Francisco based Richard Childress Racing Development -Golden Gate Racing Team clearly illustrated that they are a top contender in the 2009 NASCAR Camping World West Series following the series opener at Thunderhill Raceway in Kyle Texas. Primary driver Blake Koch of West Palm Beach Florida and the entire Golden Gate Racing Team came together to cap the opening weekend as the GodSpeaks.com-Bay Bio Diesel #21 placed well in practice, qualifying and survived an incident plagued feature race to finish one notch out of the top ten.   - READ MORE...

RCR Development Golden Gate Racing Team is ready for NASCAR Camping World Series opener in Texas next week

By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations
Mar. 02, 2009: SAN FRANCISCO –
The San Francisco based Richard Childress Racing Development -Golden Gate Racing Team is ready to roll into the 2009 NASCAR Camping World West Series season this month. With Florida’s Blake Koch behind the wheel of the GodSpeaks.com-Bay Bio Diesel #21 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, team owner Jim Offenbach and each of the team’s associates are confident and optimistic for the upcoming championship campaign.   - READ MORE...

Golden Gate Racing Team pleased with Toyota Showdown performance; ready for 2009 Camping World Series

By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations

SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco based Richard Childress Racing Development -Golden Gate Racing Team is pleased with last week’s performance in the Toyota All Star Showdown at Irwindale. With Florida’s Blake Koch behind the wheel for 2009, it appears the team is well prepared to contend in the upcoming 2009 NASCAR Camping World West Series aboard the GodSpeaks.com #21 Chevrolet.    - READ MORE...

Media Day at RCR Racing

UPDATE:Golden Gate Racing Team under rain delay in Irwindale
January 23, 2009
IRWINDALE, CA – The Richard Childress Racing Driver Development Golden Gate Racing Team will have to wait one more day for driver Blake Koch to take the green flag aboard the GodSpeaks.com, Bay BioDiesel #21 Chevrolet  in the “Daytona 500 of Short Track Racing” as inclement weather conditions have postponed qualifying for the NASCAR Camping World Series Toyota All Star Showdown until Saturday afternoon.    - READ MORE...

Blake Koch and the Golden Gate Racing Team are geared up for upcoming Toyota Showdown at Irwindale
By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - The San Francisco based Golden Gate Racing Team is locked and loaded in preparation for the upcoming NASCAR Toyota Showdown event in Irwindale later this month. The January 23-24th event will mark the first event of the season for the Richard Childress Development team that recently signed Florida native Blake Koch as its primary driver of the GodSpeaks.com sponsored Chevrolet owned by San Francisco businessman Jim Offenbach.

Blake Koch of West Palm Peach Florida has been named as the new primary driver for the Golden Gate Racing-Richard Childress Racing Development team. Koch will drive the #21 GodSpeaks.com Chevrolet in the 2009 NASCAR Camping World Series.

Sullivan Images Motorsports and Public Relations  Click to Contact 530-624-2650

The Toyota All-Star Showdown is a non-points, all-star race that brings together the top drivers in NASCAR's Development series. The main event, contested in NASCAR Camping World Series Cars, is open to any driver approved to drive on a half-mile or longer tracks in the NASCAR Camping World Series. Considered to be the “Daytona 500 of Short-Track Racing,” this race is a chance for the Camping World Series drivers to showcase their talent in the biggest event of the year. Last year fifty-one drivers attempted to qualify for the forty starting positions and this year the event is slated to be televised live on Speed TV, providing valuable exposure to the rising stars of stock car racing from throughout the country.

With Koch as the new wheelman of the Golden Gate Racing #21 and GodSpeaks.com as their primary sponsor, the Golden Gate Racing Team is eager to hit the track for the event that is known as “The Daytona 500 of short track racing.” This will mark Koch’s second time behind the wheel with GGRT following his debut last fall at All American Speedway.

Following NASCAR’s recent announcement to limit testing opportunities in 2009, Koch and the Golden Gate crew traveled to Irwindale during the final week of December to test for the upcoming event. The new limitations imposed by NASCAR are geared to save money in stressful economic times but at the same time add new challenges to those drivers new to the division that have little experience on certain tracks. With Golden Gate’s experienced staff and Koch’s determination and talent behind the wheel the team appears to be a serious contender for the upcoming showdown.

“The new policy kind of throws an obstacle at us right at the start,” said Steve Portenga, crew chief for GGRT. “With our knowledge of these tracks as a team we should do just fine. Blake listens extremely well and that’s really important to a team..”

While many teams are still building cars and wrapping up sponsorship deals during the holidays, Portenga, Koch and the GGRT crew were hard at work, taking to the Irwindale half mile for what would be their final testing session prior to the event. For both Koch and the team, the day of testing proved successful and worthwhile.

“I would say the test went great at Irwindale,,” said Koch, who raced Late Models and Trucks successfully or two years prior to joining GGRT. “The times weren’t as good as I would have liked them to be, but I believe the car has a few tenths left in it. I spent a lot of the time just trying to learn the track. It was a much different track than I have ever been to. Now that I know the track and had a few days to sit and think about it. I will be able to go back out there and push the car a little more on the edge to pick up the time.”

Offenbach’s Golden Gate Racing Team is known for its great preparation. The entire crew is credited for the team’s success through the years. Their attention to detail and ability to communicate as a team will undoubtedly be the key to their success in the year to come. Koch credited Portenga for his insight following the recent testing.

“Steve and I have talked a little about how the test went, we both feel we will be good for the showdown,” added Koch. “Just a few tweaks to the car and a few tweaks to my driving and we will be right up front. Not only is Steve doing a great job setting up the car, but he is also helping me a ton with my driving.”

Due to commitments with his San Francisco based business, Golden Gate Meat Company, Offenbach was absent from the recent Irwindale testing session. Following his review of Koch’s times and Portenga’s post test reports both Offenbach and Richard Childress are very optimistic about the upcoming event and the season ahead with Koch behind the wheel.

“We’re really happy with the results following the test at Irwindale last week,” said Offenbach. “After reviewing the times I think Blake and the crew are ready to go for the 2009 season. Everyone on this team does their job well and they all work well together and that’s what it takes to win races. The outlook is very positive heading to the showdown with GodSpeaks.com as our new sponsor and our longtime sponsor Pat O’Keefe and Bay Bio Diesel; I have to give a big thanks to them for all of their support.”

The NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown will feature two days of exciting action among some of the nation’s greatest short-track drivers in the NASCAR Camping World Series and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series competition. Both nights of all-star action will be aired live on SPEED, which has broadcast the event for the last five years. Broadcasts will begin at 7 p.m. PT each night. A full day of on-track activity kicks off for the NASCAR Camping World Series on Friday, Jan. 23 with practice and qualifying, leading up to the 250-lap feature race on Saturday, Jan. 24.

During both days watch for Blake Koch behind the wheel of the GodSpeaks.com – Bay Bio Diesel sponsored #21 Chevrolet as he looks for his first victory with the Golden Gate Racing Team. Koch will be joined in the garage and on the track by Austin Dillon of Clemmons, North Carolina. 18-year-old Dillon will represent the Eastern division of the RCR Racing Driver Development Program. Dillon finished second in the 2008 NASCAR Camping World Eastern Series.

“The Showdown is a good opportunity for Blake to showcase his talent with the best of drivers of the series,” said Richard Childress, President and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “But we’re looking ahead at the big picture when the Camping World Series opens in Texas on March 14th. But this event will give Blake more experience with some great drivers from both the East and the West Series.”

Thirteen drivers have already secured a spot in the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown by winning a NASCAR Camping World Series race this past year. In addition, champions of each of NASCAR’s developmental series also earned secured spots in the event.

Other positions in the starting lineup will be determined through time trials, which are slated for 6 p.m. PT on Friday, and limited provisionals for NASCAR Camping World Series regulars. Rounding out Friday’s activity for the NASCAR Camping World Series will be a “Last Chance Open” race at 9:10 p.m. PT that provides drivers one final opportunity to make the final 40-car starting grid for Saturday’s feature race.

Prior to the upcoming race, Koch and members of the Golden Gate Racing Team will travel to North Carolina Monday to attend Media Day in the company of several fellow RCR team drivers. Among the attendees will be Kevin Harvick, Clint Boyer and Jeff Burton to name a few. The event brings NASCAR’s top talent together with members of the media as they tour various facilities including those of RCR, Hendrick Motorsports and more.