FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 1, 2009 

TEAM WEBSITE/CONTACT: www.goldengateracingteam.com 

GGRT MEDIA CONTACT: Bill Sullivan, [email protected] 

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

By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations 

  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. 

          “I am ready for Texas and so is GGRT,” said Offenbach. “Steven Portenga, our Crew Chief is a proven winner at Texas and has prepared the GodSpeaks.com-Bay-Bio Diesel #21 very well . Steven and the team believe Blake will adapt well to the new challenges and will bring the #21 to a top five finish.” 

          The 2009 NASCAR Camping World West Series consists of 13 total events  at 11 different venues that take competitors to seven different states. The series is compromised of events that take place on short tracks, intermediates, road courses and speedways with a number of races that take place in conjunction with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events.  

          Following a successful run in the recent Toyota Showdown at Irwindale Speedway, the Golden Gate Racing Team is well prepared for the series opener on March 14^th at Thunderhill Raceway in Kyle Texas. This will mark the first appearance for Koch on the 3/8 mile track, which mirrors a venue in which he has a great deal of late model experience at. Koch joined the Golden Gate Racing Team and the RCR Driver Development Program after testing with the team in the fall of 2008 during the final event of the NASCAR Camping World Season. 

          “I am really excited for Texas,” said Koch. I have not been there before but it looks pretty similar to the track here in Florida that I have raced my late model at. Steve (Portenga) and the crew have been working really hard at the shop and we are all excited to get this season started. I hope we will leave Texas leading the point standings. I really want to thank God and my family for making it possible for me to
run the full season this year in the GodSpeaks.com #21 for GGRT and RCR.” 

          In the wake of the troubled economy, NASCAR announced earlier this year that they were enforcing a ban on all pre-event testing. The new policy was created to cut costs for competing teams, but at the same time poses new challenges for drivers like Koch who have had little track time at various facilities. Koch, however, is always ready for such challenges. The native of West Palm Beach has the support of an entire team that holds a great deal of experience and the ability to take advantage of the practice sessions just prior to the race. 

          “It will be very important the have the #21 GodSpeaks.com, Bay-Bio Diesel well prepared and take full advantage of the two practices to get Blake comfortable,” said Richard Childress, President of RCR. “We are looking for Blake to gain some experience and respect while learning from the top West Camping World Grand National Drivers.” 

          The Golden Gate Racing Team wishes to thank its partners for the 2009 season including the team’s title sponsor GodSpeaks.com as well as Pat O’Keefe of Bay Bio Diesel and the Richard Childress Driver Development Program. In addition to Koch, O’Keefe will be behind the wheel of the secondary GGRT #31 car later in the series as well. 

          For additional information on the Golden Gate Racing Team and an in depth look at their entire team and sponsors please visit the team website at www.goldengateracingteam.com and watch for additional news leading up to the Texas opener. 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.