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Photo by Pat Brandon
SAN FRANCISCO, CA  (1-4-12) –

The Golden Gate Racing Team has been a one of the most respected asphalt racing teams in Northern California for well over two decades. The organization is known for it integrity, positive representation of the sport and its top quality equipment that carries the famed RCR logo throughout the West Coast year after year.

Richard Childress Racing became synonymous with success and championships with the legendary late Dale Earnhardt and the famed black No. 3 Chevrolet. RCR has earned 12 championships, more than 200 victories, and was the first organization to win titles in NASCAR’s three main series. The team is now known best in the NASCAR Sprint Cup, fielding drivers such as Kevin Harvick, Clint Bowyer and Paul Menard in 2011. RCR is also renowned and respected for the consistent performance it delivers to its partners, both on the track and in the marketplace.

In 2012, GGRT/RCR has re-signed Utah’s Michael Self as the primary driver of their competitive #21 Chevrolet. A former go kart racer and late model hot shoe, this will be the second full season for Self with the team that is wrenched by the boys of the bay and headed by the talented Steven Portenga out of their facility headquarters in Bakersfield California.

“I can’t say enough about this entire team and how proud I am to be part of it in 2012 again,” said Self. “I want to thank Richard Childress, the Offenbach’s and everyone involved with this team. They give me the best the equipment and the guidance I need to perform well. This will be our year in the NASCAR K&N West Series.”

Self, one of the most recognized young talents in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West over the past two seasons, will not be alone when it comes to talent within the Golden Gate stable this season. He will be joined in select events by the likes of East Coast stars Ty and Austin Dillon who will field the GGRT/RCR #31 in various events. Ty Dillon is known for his past success in the DIRTcar Series and is the 2011 ARCA Champion. Austin Dillon has just come off his strongest season’s in the NASCAR Truck Series where he earned the 2011 championship. Both young drivers are the grandchildren of Richard Childress and will work with the Golden Gate Racing Team as their national schedules permit.

In 2012 the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West will compete in 15 overall races, three of which will be inaugural events and a return to a historic track in Calfornia’s Central Valley. The schedule will stretch from March to November and includes visits to 13 venues in 10 states as the West’s oldest stock car racing circuit celebrates is 59th season.

“The 2012 West schedule is very impressive, ” said Jim Offenbach, owner of the Golden Gate Racing Team. “It’s always great to be going out to new venues and expanding our fan base. I feel this will be the year that GGRT will be present in victory lane. I have a very talented young full time driver and the best crew I could ask for to maintain the great equipment we receive through Richard Childress Racing. Both Richard and myself are looking forward to see what this team can do in the year to come with Michael as well as Ty and Austin. We are very excited about what this team can do in 2012 with three great drivers and the best crew and support staff I could ask for.”

The schedule for NASCAR’s top developmental series features the first series visit to the state of New Mexico, with an event at Sandia Motor Speedway in Albuquerque on Saturday, Sept. 29. The series will also make its first visit to Havasu 95 Speedway in Lake Havasu City, Ariz., on Saturday, April 14.
An inaugural race at Brainerd (Minn.) International Raceway on Saturday, May 26, will mark one of four road course events on tap for 2012. In addition to the Minnesota race, the schedule includes visits to Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah on Saturday, April 28; Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., on Saturday, June 23; and Portland (Ore.) International Raceway on Sunday, Aug. 26.
The 2012 season will feature a return on Saturday, May 5, to Stockton (Calif.) 99 Speedway, which the series last visited in 2006.

A key addition to the schedule is a second NASCAR K&N Pro Series East-West combination race at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa. The first combination race is set for Saturday, May 19, with a return engagement on the .875-mile track east of Des Moines on Friday, Aug. 3. Both events are in conjunction with NASCAR Nationwide Series races at Iowa Speedway.

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West begins its 2012 campaign at Phoenix International Raceway on Saturday, March 3, and concludes the season back at the one-mile track on Saturday, Nov. 10. The Phoenix races are two of three series events in conjunction with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.

Other 2012 highlights include: Four other popular short-track events on the 2012 schedule include The Bullring at Las Vegas Motors Speedway on Saturday, June 2; Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Wash., on Saturday, July 14; Colorado National Speedway in Dacono, Colo., on Saturday, July 28; and All American Speedway in Roseville, Calif., on Saturday, Oct. 13.

“We’re very excited to be going back to Stockton,” said Offenbach. “It’s a historical track in California close to our home and Steve Portenga has a great deal of experience there as both a driver and a crew chief.  This is going to be a year that GGRT is a top runner over and over. We’re ready.”

In 2011 t he  Golden Gate Racing Team/RCR Chevrolets carried  the sponsorship of RCR, Bay Bio Diesel and the Golden Gate Meat Company. Additional associate sponsors that support them are the Richard Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma, RCR Street Performance, Hill Meat Company, Corte Madera Tow, Harraka Racing Equipment Sales, Foodcomm International, Signco, Praxair and JW Web Design. The team is grateful for all of the support from their sponsors and looks forward to many which will return in 2012 along with new supporters.

To learn more about the Richard Childress Racing Driver Development program visit www.rcrracing.com All four entities can also be found on facebook, become a fan today.

By Bill Sullivan, GGRT Media Relations

AVONDALE, AZ  (11-2-11) – The San Francisco based Golden Gate Racing Team is proud to announce the return of talented driver Jason Bowles of Ontario, California to the driver’s seat for this Saturday’s Casino Arizona 125 at Phoenix International Raceway. This event will mark the final event of the 2011 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West and the Richard Childress Driver Development supported Golden Gate Racing Team will roll into Sun City packing the ammunition of two entries as Bowles will join primary driver Michael Self of Park City, Utah for the much anticipated series finale.
Saturday’s event will mark the first time Bowles has driven for the Golden Gate Racing Team since 2010 when he competed in the Jimmie Johnson Foundation 125 in Phoenix and brought the team an impressive second place finish. This week, he will be behind the wheel of the Patti Offenbach owned #31 Chevrolet which will carry the sponsorship of longtime team supporter Bay Bio Diesel, the Golden Gate Meat Company and Richard Childress Racing.
“I’m very excited to have Jason back in the car for the Casino Arizona 125,” said Patti Offenbach. “He is such a talented driver and this is a great way to end the season with two great drivers working together. I think we’re going to see a great outcome from both drivers in this race.”
In his last event with GGRT/RCR at Phoenix back in 2010, Bowles made an impressive run and battled for the lead going into the final laps of the race. He qualified 15th in the event and ended the day with a second place finish behind season champion Eric Holmes. Every event in which Bowles has competed with the boys of the bay, he has had impressive results, including a pole position at Infineon Raceway in June of 2010.
“I can’t thank Jim and Patti Offenbach enough for the great opportunity to get back in the #31 at Phoenix. We had a great run to 2nd there last time and we will be looking to improve on that this year,” said Bowles. “It will be great to be racing in the first race on the new surface and makes the playing field even for everyone. I also can’t thank the guys from the team enough for working hard to put a great car together and all the support from Richard and the whole RCR Organization.”
Since winning the NASCAR K&N Pro Series Championship in 2009, Bowles has made cameo appearances in the series as his schedule allows. He won the 2011 NASCAR Toyota Showdown at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale back in January. In 2011 he has competed in three NASCAR Nationwide Series races for Rusty Wallace and has competed in two Canadian Tire Series Races for Gaunt Brothers Racing, the same team which fielded his winning entry for the Showdown.
The Casino Arizona 125 is one of the most anticipated events on the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Schedule. Not only does it cap the 14 race season. It takes place on one of the biggest tracks on the tour with the one mile distance. It also shares the spotlight with NASCAR’s elite as the Nationwide Series and the Sprint Cup all converge for the big weekend of racing. This shared venue provided Childress with the opportunity to work directly with the members of his California based development team, something his schedule rarely allows.
“It is always exciting for Jason to drive for GGRT/RCR as he always runs up front and is a very talented young driver,” said Jim Offenbach. “Richard and myself will be watching both Michael and Jason and hope that the GGRT/RCR  #21 and #31 can pack a one two punch. They both run strong in Phoenix so we have a good shot at it.
The  Golden Gate Racing Team/RCR Chevrolets carry  the sponsorship of RCR, Bay Bio Diesel and the Golden Gate Meat Company. Additional associate sponsors that support them are the Richard Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma, RCR Street Performance, 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 All four entities can also be found on facebook, become a fan today. Saturday’s race will be broadcast on SPEED TV. Check your local listings and watch the Golden Gate Racing Team in action.