GRAND: All-Star Showdown: Michael Self preview

Self and the Golden Gate Racing Team look to contend in Toyota Showdown

IRWINDALE, CA h1-25-11)-- Following a trip to the headquarters of Richard Childress Racing for Media Day this past week, Park City Utah's Michael Self and the Richard Childress Racing supported Golden Gate Racing Team is headed to Irwindale, California. This week marks the start of the 2011 racing season in the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown at the famed Toyota Speedway.

The NASCAR Toyota Showdown is often referred to as the Daytona 500 of short track racing. The spectacular winter event brings the best drivers from both the East and the West together in a high dollar non-point earning event that kicks off the year prior to the opening of both championship tours in their respective regions. The event is well followed with live television coverage and is a highly anticipated race by both competitors and NASCAR racing fans.

"We're ready to get rolling, we recently tested well with Michael at Toyota Speedway and we should have the ability to run strong in this event, said Jim Offenbach, owner of the Golden Gate Racing Team. "It's a great race, we have a talented driver and crew and good equipment. We're ready to go."

In 2010, Self was a driver to contest with the Toyota All Star Showdown during his debut season in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West with his previous race team. After starting a distant 35th in the event, Self muscled his way up to the 15th position before a collision in the final 11 laps ended his night in the division. Self did return to the track in the late model portion of the race where he finished an impressive 7th place. As Self returns to the track aboard the Bay Bio-Diesel-Golden Gate Meat Company sponsored #21 he is confident the team will be strong in this prestigious event.

"I am really excited about the showdown," said Self. "Everyone at the Golden Gate Racing Team has been working hard over the last few weeks to perfect everything for this race and the upcoming season. I'm confident we have the ability to have a front running performance and with the equipment we have and the knowledge on this team I think there is little doubt we can be a threat at this race. I had a really strong run at the Showdown last year and I've improved and gained a tremendous amount of experience since then."

This past week, Self traveled to Richard Childress Racing in North Carolina for their annual Media Day. During the event, Self toured the facilities and had the opportunity to meet his fellow RCR colleagues from the development level all the way up to the Sprint Cup. The trip provided him with a great amount of time with both his car owner and Richard Childress himself.

"It was an amazing experience going back to RCR," said Self. "I enjoyed meeting everyone and it gave me the opportunity to spend a lot of time with Jim (Offenbach) and Richard (Childress). I'm very thankful for the opportunity they have given me to further advance my racing career."

Of the 119 drivers to have started a NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown, 68 have made a start in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series or NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

The NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown features a unique format. The main event is broken up into three sections -- two 100-lap segments preceding a 25-lap dash to the finish. The race features secured starting spots for the 2010 champions of NASCAR's developmental series and race winners of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series from the 2010 season.

-source: ggrt