SONOMA A BUST FOR GGRT, IRWINDALE NEXT

Bill Sullivan / Golden Gate Racing

SONOMA, CA  (6-25-11) – One of the strongest traits that the Richard Childress supported Golden Gate Racing Team posses is their uncanny ability to bond as a team and find their way back into the game even if they have been dealt a bad hand. Such is sure to be the case this coming week as the San Francisco based NASCAR K&N West Team looks to put the trials and tribulations they endured in Sonoma in the rear view mirror and set their sights on a rally run in Irwindale.

"This was a tough weekend for this team and I have to give everyone credit for all of their hard work through it all," said Steve Portenga, veteran Crew Chief and Director of Competition for the Golden Gate Racing Team. "The hardest part about this race was the emotional roller coaster it put everyone one. We came here after a strong run in Vegas and looked pretty good in practice, then we had the trouble in qualifying and came from the back and were hit with a disappointing result in the end. This team has a lot of passion and the guys take it to heart so that’s the toughest part of a week like this. We'll bounce back though."

As they rolled into the Infineon Raceway for the Thunder Valley Casino Resort 200, the Golden Gate Racing Team was favored as a potential top runner on the 1.99 mile road course nestled in the Sonoma Wine Country. The track is considered the team's home base and a favorite for driver Michael Self.  Additionally, the NASCAR K&N West Series shared the spotlight with the high profile Sprint Cup over the weekend, allowing their patriarch and key supporter, Richard Childress to be on hand with the team.

"This just wasn't the race it was meant to be," said Self. "There isn't much I can say other than the end result didn't show how strong and dedicated this team is. Everyone worked really hard to keep me pushing to the front all day and I really want to thank them for all of their hard work. Hopefully we can come back with a top run in Irwindale and put this one behind us."

After a strong run in practice, Self took to the Sonoma road course for qualifying and it was then that the troubles of the weekend truly began. On the opening lap of the qualifying session, the Richard Childress Street Performance sponsored #21 Chevrolet experienced handling woes that resulted in multiple suspension components suffering catastrophic failure, creating a handicap for Self shortly after the green flag.

Despite the multiple broken parts beneath the newly lettered body of the #21 Impala, Self gave it his all in the qualifying session and managed a 17th place rank with a top speed of 89:731. However the effort would become useless in the form of track position as the crew had to rebuild much of the cars suspension under the supervision of NASCAR officials into Friday evening. Due to the repairs, Self was forced to start at the rear of the field in the 40th starting position on Saturday.

"This team really worked their tails off to get the GGRT/RCR #21 ready for Saturday, " said Jim Offenbach, owner of the Golden Gate Racing Team. 'Working under that type of pressure with NASCAR watching them isn't easy to do, especially knowing they are going to have to start in the rear of the line up at this track and that is tough. I really want to thank all these guys for hard fought effort."

Although he was behind all but one car to take the green flag, Self began charging to the front of the field in the Thunder Valley Casino Resort 200 early in the race. After a collision on the 8th lap he didn’t allow the early set back to daunt him and kept charging forward. At one point the 20-year-old driver from Park City Utah was 38th and one lap down and then later in the race was back on the lead lap in the 13th running position and gunning for the top ten.

After being involved in numerous bumps, scrapes and spins throughout the afternoon Self entered the final stages of the race looking for a top ten finish. With just one lap remaining he was ninth overall until he was struck from behind in traffic and sent into a spin and struck by several cars just above the S turns. The final collision caused significant damage to the car and resulted in a 25th place finish for the team.

Entering the Sonoma event, Self and the Golden Gate Racing Team were sixth in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West standings. As they head into the sixth leg of the 12 race of the series this weekend they are now seventh in the championship point standings, 309 points behind leader Greg Pursley.

This weekend will mark the return to the famed Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, California for the Southern California Toyota Dealers 200 presented by King Taco. For the Golden Gate Racing Team and Self, the  lightning fast half mile in Irwindale will be a welcomed sight after the tough week in Sonoma and the long week of work that will follow to prepare for this race.

Self is no stranger to the Irwindale facility, nor is Portenga and the members of the talented GGRT Crew. This Saturday night event under the lights is sure to produce fireworks and the veteran race team from the bay is sure to ignite with shining colors once again.

“I have a lot of confidence going in to Irwindale,” said Self. “This team has had great speeds at every race so with some fine tuning and extra work on my part I know we can come out of Irwindale with a strong, clean run and get ourselves back in the points again. The team has been awesome all year and GGRT has given me the best cars on the track so now we can look toward developing me and my driving and what I need to do to convert our speed in to top 5 runs and we'll be good.”

As they return to oval track competition, Self and the Golden Gate Racing Team will carry the title sponsorship of the Golden Gate Meat Company and Bay Bio Diesel. Additional sponsors that support them are the Richard Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma, Doctor Michael Self, Hill Meat Company, Corte Madera Tow, Harraka Racing Equipment Sales, Foodcomm International, Signco, Praxair and JW Web Design.

For an in-depth look at the Golden Gate Racing Team and additional news, visit their official website at www.goldengateracingteam.com.  To learn more about the Richard Childress Racing Driver Development program visit www.rcrracing.com Michael Self's personal website can be found at www.michaelselfracing.com. All three entities can also be found on facebook, friend them today and keep up with all the breaking news.

Michael Self Racing is brought to you by: MSquared, and Blakesley Sports Media. Sponsorship and media inquiries can be forwarded to Steven Blakesley at (916) 316-4854.

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