From Daytona to Kentucky; Koch continues his trek to new racetracks

July 9, 2011 - PRLog -- SPARTA, KY –  For NASCAR Nationwide Rookie of the Year contender Blake Koch, going to strange race tracks is nothing new. In fact, it’s something the 25-year-old Florida native is accustomed to.  This week, Koch will once again compete in unfamiliar territory behind the wheel of the Daystar Television Network #81 Dodge in the Feed the Children 300 at Kentucky Speedway.

“After having a strong run and some bad luck in the end at Daytona I know we can rebound in Kentucky,” said Koch. “Like most of the tracks, I have never been there before but the track looks fun and we will do all we can to get a top 15 and another Rookie of the Race award.”

Koch is coming off a very big week in his racing career after last week’s event in Daytona. A little over 25 years ago, Koch was born at Halifax Medical Center just a few miles from the famed Daytona International Speedway. Little did his family know at the time that Koch was born to one day be racing on the 2.5 mile world center of speed.

“Ever since I knew I wanted to be a race car driver it has been a dream of mine to race at Daytona,” said Koch. “It would have been nice to have a stronger finish there in my first race but we had a good run until the end. It was circumstances beyond my control. The Daystar #81 was fast and the crew worked hard all afternoon and into the night to make it better and better.”

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



Koch started 30th in the Subway Jalapeno 250 last Friday night under the lights of Daytona. As he made his debut on the track that is famous for making so many drivers into legends, Koch was all but intimidated and wasted no time in working the MacDonald Motorsports #81 Dodge to the middle of the pack.

During the event, Koch worked his way as high has the 12th position, an outstanding feat for a driver that is in his first full season of NASCAR racing at the Nationwide level. Slicing and dicing his way among many of the sport’s top stars, Koch held his own into the waning laps of the race.

With just two laps remaining in the race, Koch was 15th in the order. It was then that lady luck struck an unfortunate blow to the team in the form of a cut tire that sent the #81 into the outside wall to fall back several positions. Despite the late race incident, Koch still managed a 28th place finish.

This week, Koch put Daytona in his rear view mirror as he made a very special drive to Kentucky Speedway. As he prepares to move to North Carolina in the coming weeks, Koch is working hard to spend time with many members of his family whom he will see far less with a busy career ahead and many miles between them. This particular week, Koch’s Mother Angie joined him for the road trip to Kentucky.

“I’m spending as much time as I can with my family before I move,” said Koch. “It’s been a great trip from Daytona to Kentucky with my Mom as my co pilot. It’s always special to have he come to the race.”

The Kentucky Speedway is a 1.5 mile Tri-oval that was built just 11 years ago. It’s a unique facility with 14 degree banking in the turns and hosts more that 66,000 spectators. For Koch, Kentucky is just another new track on his long list of fast races at new places. This week Koch enters the event just 3 points out of the top 20 in the NASCAR Nationwide point standings. He is currently second in the heated battle for the Rookie of the Year, 17 points behind Timmy Hill.

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 http://www.daystarracing.com. When visiting the site be sure to enter to win a day with Blake Koch at Texas Motor Speedway in the fall. You can also find up to date statistics, photos, unique videos, and new apparel; including brand new Daystar Racing hats just like the ones worn by the team. You can find Blake Koch and his DaystarRacing Team on Twitter (@BlakeKochRacing) (@DaystarTV) as well as on Facebook (www.facebook.com/BlakeKRacing) (www.facebook.com/DaystarTV). Friday’s race will be broadcast live on ESPN beginning at 7:30 p.m. EST.

# # #

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.