Blake Koch drove the Golden Gate Racing Teams GodSpeaks.com #21 to
11th place in Saturdays Bennett Lane Winery 200 at Sonoma .
Koch and OKeefe 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 OKeefe 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 Blakes first road course, it was Pats first NASCAR
Camping World West Road Course event this year and he finished 18th respectively. Im very
proud of this whole team
Koch qualified 23rd for Saturdays 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.
Im really happy with the way our day turned out, I didnt 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 Im 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
Teams 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, Im happy with the way these guys
performed.
Saturdays 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. Its 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 teams
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 Saturdays 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 Saturdays race.
For OKeefe, 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 OKeefe, 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.
OKeefe 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 Kochs 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 OKeefe 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 Saturdays Bennett Lane
Winery 200 by Supercuts. Koch will be joined in the line up by teammate Pat OKeefe who
muscled the Bay BioDiesel GGRT/RCR #31 into Saturdays race after his first time in the
drivers 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
whos 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.
OKeefe 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 OKeefes 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 OKeefe 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; OKeefe 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 OKeefe 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 OKeefe has been a great partner to
this team and its always a pleasure to get him behind the wheel. Blake and the entire team
are looking forward to this.
OKeefe 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 OKeefe 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,
OKeefe 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 teams offer to run the secondary car on a limited schedule in 2008 and 2009.
This weekend, OKeefe will join Koch on the eleven turn Infineon Raceway.
Im really excited for this upcoming race, said OKeefe. I look
forward to a strong finish along with Blake.
Saturdays 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, whos 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 dont 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 OKeefe 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 Kochs 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
Countys 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 Saturdays 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. Kochs 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, Kochs fare luck
that graced him during the preliminary program went array when he suffered a spin on the opening
lap, but the misfortune didnt set him back for long.
We had such a good day going for us I couldnt believe it, said
Koch. The first lap I got spun around. But it didnt 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 OKeefe 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 OKeefe 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 Kochs 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.
Im 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 wasnt 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. Thats what Golden Gate Racing and the Richard Childress
Racing Development program is all about. Im 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 OKeefe 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 Kochs 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 Teams 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 Its 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 Floridas Blake
Koch behind the wheel of the GodSpeaks.com-Bay Bio Diesel #21 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, team owner
Jim Offenbach and each of the teams 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 weeks performance in the Toyota All Star Showdown at
Irwindale. With Floridas 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 Kochs second time
behind the wheel with GGRT following his debut last fall at All American Speedway.
Following NASCARs 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 Gates experienced staff
and Kochs 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 thats 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 werent 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.
Offenbachs Golden Gate Racing Team is known for its great preparation. The entire crew is
credited for the teams 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 Kochs times and
Portengas post test reports both Offenbach and Richard Childress are very optimistic about
the upcoming event and the season ahead with Koch behind the wheel.
Were 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
thats 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 OKeefe 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 nations 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 were 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 NASCARs 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 Fridays 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 Saturdays 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 NASCARs top talent together with members of the media as they tour various
facilities including those of RCR, Hendrick Motorsports and more.
Golden
Gate Race Team has been involved in motorsports since 1992. Our record includes championship
years with the IMCA Modifieds to the Northern California NORCAL racing circuit, to placing
fifth in the NASCAR Winston West Series, highly successful seasons in the North State
Challenge Series and the highly competitive Davey Hamiltons Wild West Shootout SRL
Series. This season we embark on the NASCAR Camping World West Series... read more Owner: Jim Offenbach Crew Chief/Manager: Steve Portenga Driver: David Mayhew