Salem: Mike Koch race report

Mike Koch Takes the Lead at Salem!

MOUNTAIN HOME, Arkansas (April 6, 2009) Mike Koch and the gang made it to Salem this past weekend and showed they're not playing games this season. They pulled into Indiana with a Ford for the first time. It's been a long time since we've made it to the track and after the theft of several of our cars we didn't know if we would ever make it back. But with the help of several different teams the K&K Racing Hauler finally pulled in to make it's 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series Debut. The yellow and blue car made it off the hauler rip roaring and ready to go with the Hixson Motorsports number 28 on the side. Qualifying proved that the team has improved tremendously since it's inception into ARCA in 2003. Mike pushed the car hard and qualified 19th.

For the race, the roles of the past reversed themselves. Driver for K&K Racing during 2004 and 2005, Tim Turner, came back to the track and took on the role of spotter for Mike Koch. Mike got a great start to the race and showed that the car was really ready to race. By lap 67 Mike and the team had placed the number 28 Karl's Plumbing Ford in the lead by some good pit strategy. It all looked good until lap 71 when a cut tire caused Mike to spin which also involved Frank Kimmel. Mike made it into the pits and got new tires but something else was starting to happen. By lap 112 it was all over, the brakes on the 28 car had finally given out which eliminated the 28 from competition.

After the race Mike Koch commented "We came prepared and with a good car. The Ernie Elliott motor was strong and ready to run. It was just great to get back to the track after last season." Mike ended up finishing 21 in the Kentuckian Ford Dealers 200 by Federated Car Care.

-credit: kkr