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“Three Drivers within two points with just three races to go – ROTY Breakdown”

(MOORESVILLE, NC) October 21, 2011 – The NASCAR Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year battle is shaping up to be one of the closest in the history of the sport. Going into the final 3 races of the season there are 3 drivers with a very real chance of winning the coveted award. Timmy Hill currently holds a 1 point advantage over Blake Koch, and just 2 points over Ryan Truex.

“It’s going to be tough but I know our car is really fast right now. We made great progress with it at Charlotte and I think it will be good at Texas too,” explained Koch. This was the first race out for Chassis #104 and the team plans to run it again at Texas and Homestead. “If we can win Rookie of the Race at Texas I will be tied with Timmy, which would be awesome. Ryan (Truex) is coming too and will be tough to beat in these final races. We’ll see how it turns out but I’m just so proud of the Daystar team and the season that we have had so far.”

Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidates earn points based on their best 16 finishes of the season. After Charlotte, all 3 drivers have completed their 16 races. This means that any strong finishes now can replace bad finishes from earlier in the season. Drivers earn 10 points for being the highest finishing rookie in a particular event, 9 for the second highest finishing rookie, and so on. Winning Rookie of the Race honors in the last 3 races will be key to filling your 16 race resume with the most “10” point races. A top ten finish by one of the drivers would also be very beneficial, with bonus points being awarded for those results.

There are also points at the end of the year for the highest finishing driver in the 2011 NNS driver point’s standings. Timmy Hill will most likely gain 1 point on Koch and 2 on Truex for this portion of the Rookie points.

The final way to earn points involves the voting of a NASCAR panel on 3 different topics. The first is each rookie’s conduct with the technical inspectors in the garage area and the pits, and with other NASCAR officials. The second criteria is each rookie’s conduct and awareness on the race track, while the final topic is each rookie’s personal appearance and relationship with the media. Driver’s can earn up to 10 points for each criteria, meaning up to 30 points, and a very important piece of winning Rookie of the Year.

Earlier this season at Texas, Blake Koch was able to earn Rookie of the Race honors with a 25th place finish. Timmy Hill ran 28th and Ryan Truex did not compete in the race. At Phoenix, Ryan Truex was the top finishing rookie with a 14th while Blake and Timmy struggled to 27th and 29th place finishes. That was the first Nationwide Series start of the season for both drivers so they should fare much better the second time around. The only driver of the 3 with experience at Homestead is Blake Koch, who ran for MacDonald Motorsports in 2009 to a 34th place result.

“Winning Rookie of the Race will be the key for these final 3 races,” said Koch. “I would really like to get my first top-ten finish as well and I will be doing all I can to try and accomplish that.”

Every lap is going to count in these final three races and each driver will be giving it their all to beat the other two. All three drivers have been racing all year with one main goal, to add the name, “2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year,” to their resumes.

Follow Blake on Social Media…..Keep up with everything that Blake is doing by following him on Facebook and Twitter. Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/BlakeKRacing and twitter @BlakeKochRacing.

Vote for Blake for NNS Most Popular Driver….. Remember to vote every day for Blake Koch for NASCAR Nationwide Series Most Popular Driver. The link to vote is http://nationwide.nascar.com/news/110705/2011-mpd-nationwide/index.html.

About Daystar Television Network

Daystar is a Television Network committed to spreading this 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 on www.Daystar.com.

About MacDonald Motorsports

The MacDonald family name has been in the racing circles since owner, Randy MacDonald, started his own driving career in the 1980’s. The provisions made by Randy’s father, Merril “Doc” MacDonald, and mother Pat helped Randy start racing professionally and establish his own company. Randy’s father Doc helped him create business relationships and carry out other important functions of the team until finishing his own race in March of 2007. Despite his death, Doc’s impact on the team will not end, as MacDonald Motorsports continues on in his honor and memory.

- MacDonald Motorsports Press Release