Koch brings home career best finish with drive to 14th at Road America

June 28, 2011 - PRLog -- ELKHART LAKE, WI –  For NASCAR Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year contender Blake Koch of West Palm Beach, Florida, the results keep becoming more impressive in his quest to earn the Rookie award with each race in which he competes. On Saturday afternoon in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, such was the case once again as Koch drove to his best career finish. Koch and his MacDonald Motorsports team powered the Daystar Television Network #81 Dodge to a 14th place finish in the Bucyrus 200 at Road America.

“I’m so pumped about the race. I’ve been looking for a top 15 all year and we did it,” said Koch. “Everyone on this Daystar team did a great job all weekend and I couldn’t have done it without them.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xjPw4_KEk4&feature=channel_video_title



Although he had never raced at Road America, the 4.048 mile road course was all but intimidating for Koch. The former motocross star has fared well in road course venues since the start of his career with top finishes in the NASCAR West tour as well as the ARCA Series. While many NASCAR drivers struggle when it comes to the road course venues versus the high speed ovals, Koch seems to utilize them as a strong point.

With each practice being limited to only nine laps, Koch has very little testing time on the 14-turn course but managed the 21st rank with a best lap of 105.451 miles per hour. In qualifying he posted a top speed of 105.214 to earn the 24th starting spot on the 42 car grid.

Using great patience and poise, Koch drove somewhat conservative early in the race to avoid the many incidents that took place and save the best for last. It was in the final 17 laps around the twists and turns of Road America where Koch advanced an impressive six positions to bring the team to its first top 15 finish of the season and Koch’s career best finish, crossing the line at 14th.

Saturday’s run was Koch’s fourth top 20 finish of the season, his first full season in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. During the race he kept fellow Rookie of the Year contender Timmy Hill within his sight. Hill finished 11th as the two continue their heated battle for the Rookie title.

Following Saturday’s finish, Koch has advanced to 21st in the NASCAR Nationwide point standings. With Wisconsin behind him, Koch now travels to his home state of Florida where he will compete at the world center of speed, the Daytona International Speedway for the Subway Jalapeno 250 on Friday July 1.
   
“I’m really excited about racing at Daytona,” said Koch, who will make his first ever start on the super speedway. “I’m looking forward to racing in my home state at the track that is so well known in the sport. Hopefully we can have another strong finish and a good points day.”

Koch carries 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.

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, unique videos, stories and new apparel on the site, all of which goes back to supporting the efforts of Koch and Team Daystar.

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Daystar Television Network is the fastest growing faith based network in the world, reaching over 91 mil homes in the US and 680 mil homes worldwide. The network features popular original programming, live events, and sponsors NASCAR driver Blake Koch.