By Bill Sullivan, Blake Koch Inc. Media
DOVER, DE – After a week off from competition, the battle resumes this Saturday afternoon in Dover Delaware as Blake Koch returns to the track aboard the Daystar Television Network #81 Dodge to continue his quest for the coveted 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year title. Saturday’s One Main Financial 200 at Dover International Speedway will mark the 30th career start for Koch in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.
“I did enjoy having a week off and spending time with my wife Shannon but now I am ready to get back in the Daystar #81,” said Koch. “In our earlier race at Dover the car was really fast going into the race and I don’t see any reason why we won’t be quick again. The key will be staying out of trouble earlier in the race. That last race here was my first DNF in the Nationwide Series and that one finish is still really hurting me in the points.”
In the earlier visit to Dover this season, Koch drove the Daystar #81 to 21st in final practice and the MacDonald Motorsports team was ready to finish strong on race day. At the waving of the green flag the most unexpected incident took place when both Koch and his teammate fell victim to a collision in the opening lap. The incident resulted in a great deal of damage to both cars and made a significant impact on Koch’s chase for the 2011 Rookie of the Year point lead.
As he returns to the Monster Mile this Saturday, Koch remains a bridesmaid in what has become one of the most nationally recognized Rookie of the Year contentions in recent history. Currently, Koch is only two points behind Hill in the title run as they both enter the 28th segment of competition in the series that consists of 34 races across the nation.
The NASCAR Nationwide Rookie of the Year title is determined by a unique point system that scores the best 16 finishes for each of the eligible drivers that are competing in their first full season of the Nationwide tour. The system awards points to each competitor based on how they finish in relation to their counterparts and includes bonus points for a top ten finish as well as for where a Rookie finishes in the final season ending point standings.
Throughout the season Koch has been chasing down Hill for the point lead and will look to close the gap even further this Saturday with his second start in Dover. Prior to the his debut at the Monster Mile earlier in the campaign, Koch has virtually no experience on this famed track and will return with several fast laps under his belt this weekend.
“Most of the tracks I have raced at this season have been new to me,” said Koch. ‘It’s always nice to go back to someplace where I have had some experience because we go into the race with a lot more knowledge of the track and how the car will react.”
Koch’s best finish of the season so far is a 14th place finish at Road America. In the 28 races he has competed in, Koch has garnered 6 top 20 finishes, 14 top 25 finishes and has only suffered four DNF’s during the season. Koch’s performance is outstanding considering his lack of experience racing in the nation’s elite form of auto racing and the limited budget his current team operates on. Prior to the NASCAR Nationwide Series, Koch raced limited events in the Florida Late Model and Speedway Truck ranks prior to a pair of seasons in the NASCAR K&N Series West. Koch plans to compete in full seasons of the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2012 and 2013 with the continued support of Daystar. He hopes of advancing to the Sprint Cup Series in 2014.
Blake Koch proudly carries one of the most unique title sponsorship in the sport of NASCAR and auto racing as a whole with the primary sponsorship of the Daystar Television Network. This Emmy award winning faith based network is dedicated to spreading the gospel 24 hours a day, seven days a week all around the globe through all media formats possible. Daystar is the fastest growing and one of two of the largest faith-based networks in the world today and can be viewed on all major and secondary satellites and cable systems. Daystar programming reaches over 200 countries into more than 91 million homes in the United States and 680 million homes globally.
Daystar is committed to spreading this important message across the world: no matter what you’ve done, where you’ve been or who you are, it is not too much for God to handle. There is life, hope and forgiveness waiting for you through Jesus Christ. Find out more at www.daystar.com.
Blake Koch drives the Daystar #81 Dodge Challenger fielded by the successful MacDonald Motorsports based in Mooresville, North Carolina. MacDonald Motorsports has made 20 starts at Dover International Speedway. The team has a best career finish of 15th
To learn more about Blake Koch and his Daystar Racing Team, visit their official website at www.daystarracing.com. When visiting the site be sure to enter to win a day with Blake Koch and the Daystar Racing Team. You can also find up to date statistics, photos, video and apparel on the site, all of which goes back to supporting the efforts of Koch and team Daystar. Blake Koch can also be followed on both facebook and twitter. Find him on facebook at www.facebook.com/BlakeKacing and on twitter at BlakeKochRacing.
The poles are still open to vote for the most popular NASCAR Nationwide Driver in the 2011 racing season. Remember to vote for Blake Koch at the official site which is http://nationwide.nascar.com/news/110705/2011-mpd-nationwide/index.html.
To learn more about Blake Koch and the message he is set out to spread to the audience of one of America’s most popular sports visit his official website at www.daystarracing.com. Saturday’s One Main Financial 200 at Dover International Speedway will be broadcast live on ESPN2 beginning at 3:30 p.m., Eastern Standard Time. Check your local listings.
