SELF BRINGS GGRT TOP FIVE IN IRWINDALE

Bill Sullivan / Golden Gate Racing

SONOMA, CA  (7-2-11) After a long week following the tough finish in Sonoma, the Golden Gate Racing Team returned to action in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West this weekend locked and loaded for a rally back toward the top of the series point standings at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale. Driver Michael Self and the team that carries the support of the Richard Childress Racing Driver Development program is known for great resilience and proved just that, bringing home a top five finish in the Southern California Toyota Dealers 200 presented by King Taco.

“I’m really proud of these guys coming back the way they did after Sonoma,” said Jim Offenbach, owner of the Golden Gate Racing Team. “Every member of this team is very passionate about their role with GGRT/RCR. Everyone kept their chin up after the tough finish in Sonoma. Michael drove a great race in Irwindale and put us back in the points with a top run.”

In preliminary action at the lightning fast half mile, Self drove the Bay Bio Diesel-Golden Gate Meat Company #21 Chevrolet to the ninth fastest time of the day in final practice with a top speed of 94.882.  In qualifying the talented young driver from Park City, Utah picked up the pace, driving to a top speed of 96:717 to earn an impressive fourth place mark on the roster.

Starting the 200 lap feature, Self took the green flag from the outside of the second row and quickly illustrated he was ready for redemption at the track that has not been kind to him so far in his racing career. After moving into the third position shortly after the initial start, Self pursued second place runner Dylan Kwasniewski, passing him for the bridesmaid position with five laps complete.

“Irwindale has actually been a track I've struggled with the past two years,” said Self. “I've always had pretty good speed there but could never get the luck so I couldn't be happier with how we performed on Saturday. The Golden Gate Racing crew did everything they needed to get that car as fast as it was and we all worked hard and it definitely paid off.

Once in the second position, Self set his sights on distant leader and series point leader Greg Pursley. With 64 laps complete he closed to within .335 seconds of the leader. One lap later, Self drove to the low side and muscled the #21 Impala into the lead, distancing himself from Pursley after just five laps in front.

For Self the pass for the lead put him out in front for the first time since he led laps in Sonoma over a year ago with his previous team. Taking the lead from Pursley, one of the most dominant drivers in the NASCAR West campaign, proved that both Self and GGRT are stronger than ever and simply have had a little ill fated luck hold them back in recent events.

With 87 laps, Self stretched his lead considerably over Pursley just before the yellow flag flew for the halfway break. After some minor adjustments and taking outside tires, Self returned to the track with a car that was much tighter than it was in late laps of the prior half. With 103 laps in the book, Pursley powered down the backstretch to overtake the lead once again and the two worked their way into lapped traffic with 125 laps complete. With 35 laps remaining, Self had his hands full in the bridesmaid position as Kwasniewski returned to redeem his position along with seventh place starter Derek Thorn who powered into the mix. After racing side by side with both drivers for several laps, Self settled into the fourth position on lap 173 and the top four drivers spread themselves apart entering the final 25 laps of the race.

In the closing laps, Self was challenged by defending NASCAR West Champion Eric Holmes. The two drivers sliced and diced for position until Holmes slipped by Self with 198 laps down. At the finish line, Self and the GGRT team were extremely please with a fifth place finish which meant a good points day for the team.

“The first 100 laps the car was on rails so I was just hoping to keep the race going green,” said Self. “Then with the new rights on after the break the car just tightened up a little more than we all anticipated. I learned a ton on Saturday and I can't thank Steve Portenga and Jim Offenbach enough for working so hard with me and teaching me how to correct my mistakes so we can have these kinds of runs everywhere we go. I've got some of my better tracks coming up over the next 5 races so hopefully we can keep this streak up and get ourselves well in to the top 3 in points.”

Entering Saturday’s race, Self and the Golden Gate Racing Team were sixth in the championship point standings. After the strong top five run they have advanced into the fourth position. This coming weekend they will look to continue their drive towards the top three as the NASCAR K&N Series West returns to Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Washington after being absent for many years.

“We are looking forward to going back to Evergreen,” said Offenbach. “GGRT had good strong runs there when it was a regular on the schedule. Steve Portenga did very well at that track and I am confident he and Michael will work together for another strong run and keep us moving back up in the point standings.”

The #21 Golden Gate Racing Team/RCR Chevrolet carries the sponsorship of Richard Childress Driver Development, Bay Bio Diesel and the Golden Gate Meat Company. Associate sponsors that support them are the Richard Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma, 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. For more information on RCR Street Performance check out their informative website at www.rcrstreetperformance.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 four 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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