For Luis Martinez Jr. his introduction into the world of NASCAR this summer has been a very exciting and often times trying experience.  Through it all the youngster from Long Beach, California has continually met the challenges and continues to evolve. 

With a week off from Whelen All American NASCAR Weekly Racing Series competition at the Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, Martinez joined the Golden Gate Racing Team (GGRT) as a second driver to their Camping World West Series program at the series tenth race of the season at Utah’s Miller Motorsports Raceway.  Making his debut alongside teammate, and series regular David Mayhew (#21 – BayBioDiesel/RCR Chevrolet), Martinez would be piloting the #31 Chevrolet Monte Carlo entry with sponsorship from King Taco.


Qualifying:   
Heading into qualifying, Martinez and the rest of the GGRT team were optimistic on his chances for qualifying.  Earlier in the day he showed his road racing talents during the Practice sessions and at one point ran as high as tenth. Martinez entered qualifying with that confidence and did not disappoint.  Under the hot Utah Sun he muscled the # 31 King Taco machine around the 3.06-mile track and after 21 cars had taken to the track he found himself at the top of the timesheets.  He eventually slipped to fifth after the last qualifying group had completed their laps.  Martinez and the team were nevertheless pleased with the qualifying results.  The fact that this was his first time qualifying in this car made the feat that much more fulfilling.
   
Race:
Starting on the inside of row 3 in the 28 car field, Martinez took the green flag and lost one position but quickly reclaimed it on Lap # 2.  On Lap # 5, after a blistering pace, Martinez scooted into the fourth place slot.  Martinez would find himself battling for the fourth place position once more after a yellow flag but as he had done a couple of laps earlier, he  again retook that position and soon began hunting down series regular Austin Cameron (#18-NAPA AutoCare Toyota) for third place.  The rapid pace continued until another yellow flag came out with 10 laps left in the race.  At the restart Martinez and another driver got together resulting in right front damage and a flat tire to the # 31.  Unable to continue Martinez was forced to park his car outside of Turn # 3.  He would go on to finish in the twenty-second spot while teammate Mayhew finished eighth.  While the outcome was disappointing for Martinez, the efforts by the series rookie proved what others already knew; that he is a fierce and determined driver capable of running competitively.

Martinez plans to make a second appearance with the GGRT team at the Camping World West Series race at the Toyota Speedway at Irwindale on August 16, 2008 which is Martinez’ home track.

Luis Martinez Jr – Driver: “It was an amazing weekend. I had high hopes for myself this weekend and I believe I've fulfilled them. The whole Golden Gate Racing Team really put an amazing effort to make this King Taco #31 Chevy very competitive.  Now I am ready to try my luck at the Toyota Speedway at Irwindale in two weeks."

About Position One Motorsports: After competing in the Formula TR Series in 2007 and 2006 and finishing 3rd in the Championship both years, Position One Motorsports enters the 2008 racing season looking to continue its success as a participant in the Whelen All American NASCAR Weekly Racing Series events at Southern California's Toyota Speedway at Irwindale.  Housed in a state-of-the-art facility in Southern California, Position One Motorsports continues to support an array of go-kart ventures.