By: Zach Catanzareti, Staff Writer
Since making his most recent XFINITY Series start at Homestead-Miami Speedway last November, Blake Koch has been busier than you’d expect.
As he faced the reality of losing his ride with Kaulig Racing in the second-tier series, the hopes of another XFINITY ride have been put into discussion as the season is already four weeks old.
“It’s a hard time of year to re-group and re-build to be back on track in time for the 2018 season,” Koch told Kickin’ The Tires at Martinsville Speedway. “I wouldn’t take just any opportunity. It’s not like I haven’t had opportunities to drive anything, it’s just not what I want to do right now.”
Despite the new stage in his career, he has had a couple ideas pop to mind. One that could gain traction over most of the season is a drive in an “All-Star car” usually driven by Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers. When on the schedule is he eying? The playoffs, when Cup drivers will not be allowed to run in the series.
“The Cup guys can’t run those and a lot of teams are going [for the] owner’s championship,” he said. “So, they want an experienced driver capable of winning to drive those races. I’m one of the few current guys who are out right now. There are some talks with those opportunities.”
In the meantime, Koch, 32, is staying relevant in the national series by offering driver coaching for drivers like Matt Tifft in XFINITY and Myatt Snider in Camping World Trucks.
“All the things I’ve learned myself I’ve been able to share,” he said. “I am invested in it and [I feel] that adrenaline rush because it’s competition. I don’t want everything I’ve learned over the years to go to waste. I’d rather help people with the knowledge I’ve gotten over the 200-plus starts I have.”
One major factor Koch has learned in auto racing is the importance of marketing and business-to-business relationships. With his interest in the field expanding into 2018, he’s switching to business owner, a role that will officially take place in May.
“It’s something I’ve always needed and something I’ve always hated doing and what I always forgot to do,” he teased of the yet-to-be-announced business. “So, I came up with a solution and you’ll hear about it in May. I want to make sure it’s ready. Just working on buttoning up the website, I have everything else in place.
“It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time — where I can create some stability in my family. So, when I do get back racing, everything is not leaning on [racing] to put a roof over my family’s head and feed my kids.
“I want to focus on building my company and putting my family in a better financial situation to go racing and have fun. Make it a hobby again… race for trophies, not for a living.”