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SELF
GRINDS OUT LATE MODEL SHOWDOWN TOP-TEN
AFTER
K&N SERIES CRASH
Steven Blakesley / Michael Self Racing
 PARK
CITY, UTAH (January 25, 2010) –
Park City,
UT rookie Michael Self capped a long and challenging weekend
in his debut performance in the NASCAR Toyota All-Star
Showdown with a seventh place finish in the Late Model portion
of the activities held at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, Calif.
The 19
year-old Self’s main focus, however, was on the weekend’s
headline 225 lap K&N Pro Series race. His true series debut
saw the young driver come from 35th on the grid
into the top 15, before tangling with a veteran racer on lap
214. Self was sent flying into the turn three wall head-on.
After a
lengthy evaluation from medical personnel, Self was cleared to
get into his Late Model car for the nightcap. Just 20 minutes
after the incident, Self was behind the wheel of his Late
Model car, starting fourth.
The Late
Model event was scheduled to go 75 laps, but was a
caution-ridden affair. After several wild restarts, Self was
shuffled back into eighth.
Self passed
for seventh place and was challenging for sixth when the race
was flagged at lap 55. After nearly 4 hours in the car and 270
laps of competition, Self climbed out of the car complaining
of back pain but reflecting on what could have been.
“We had a
great car in both races,” Self said. “If that Late Model race
had stayed green, I think we had a chance to challenge for the
win. In the K&N car, we were closing in on a top-ten run
before we were wrecked.”
The weekend
started out on high note as Self led Late Model practice
Thursday night over a field of more than 40 entries. The laps
marked Self’s first laps of competition around the half-mile
Toyota Speedway.
Friday,
Self was 27th in opening K&N Series practice before
spinning and suffering damage to the rear of his Chevrolet.
The team elected to skip the second practice session to make
repairs. Self climbed back into his Late Model and timed in
third quick in their only practice for the day.
Self
qualified his K&N Series car 26th out of 45 entries
and only a few tenths out of the top-ten. 11 drivers behind
Self were awarded provisionals for the All-Star non-points
event, forcing Self into the 50 lap Open (qualifying) race to
earn a starting position in Saturday’s 225 lapper.
After
riding in second position for much of the race, the race
leader spun on lap 28. Self assumed the lead and cruised for a
commanding win.
With a lot
of confidence heading into Saturday’s races, Self qualified
fourth in his Late Model before the start of the 225 lap K&N
Pro Series Toyota All-Star Showdown.
A sellout
crowd of over 6500 fans packed the stands to see 40 cars
starting. Self quickly went forward from 35th on
the grid, running side-by-side with series veterans to move
into 22nd by lap 52.
Self was
involved in many three- and four-wide battles to climb into
the top-20 by the lap 100 break.
Coming out
of the break, Self fought a loose condition on the car and
made contact with another racer on lap 110. Self surrendered
21st position to come down pit road to check the
car for damage.
With
minimal damage, Self went right back through the field. A pair
of restarts on lap 142 and lap 151 saw Self leap to 15th
place. After back and forth battling, Self was 14th
heading into the lap 200 break.
Just 14
laps later, while battling for a strong top-15 finish, Self
was involved in the crash that ended his run. Self was
credited with a 23rd place finish in the final
rundown for the K&N Pro Series event.
He will now
turn his attention to the season opening race for the NASCAR
K&N Pro Series West March 27 at All American Speedway in
Roseville, Calif.
Race fans can log on to the all-new
www.michaelselfracing.com to learn
more about Michael Self Racing.
Michael
Self Racing is brought to you by: Viva Auto Group, Inventory
Sales Company, Motorway Motorsports, Naake Suspension
Specialists, Johnnie Walker Performance, MSquared, and
Blakesley Sports Media. Sponsorship inquiries can be forwarded
to Steven Blakesley at (916) 316-4854.
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