Dexter Bean Second In Pocono After Stout Performance

Topics:  Dexter Bean, Pocono 200

Chris Knight
BlackJack Racing
June 11, 2007

“Bean Leads Most Laps; Makes Another Impression on ARCA Tour”

LONG POND, PA (June 11, 2007) - - Dexter Bean came up four laps short of his first ARCA RE/MAX Series victory Saturday after Petty Enterprises driver Chad McCumbee rallied back from a lap down to steal the victory.

Still, Bean showed his muscle on Saturday. Qualifying inside the top-10 forced many people to turn to the No. 6 Chevrolet Monte Carlo as a threat for the win. They were right.

At the start of the 80 lap/200 mile event, Bean quickly hovered around his seventh place starting position. After the first caution on lap nine for an accident involving Marc Mitchell, Bean made his march towards the front.

First passing Wisconsin ’s Paul Menard in the No. 15 Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet then battling the likes of Jeremy Clements, Mario Gosselin and Bryan Silas, the likable driver began creeping towards the lead.

Bean would take control of the field for the first time on lap 28. Aboard his BlackJack Racing machine, he would lead the next six laps before being overtaken by eight time ARS champion Frank Kimmel. The caution flag would fly a few laps later sending Bean to the attention of his Chris Bires led crew for four new Hoosier Tires, Sunoco Racing fuel and no adjustments.

Back on the campaign trail, Bean would have to out maneuver several cars that elected to stay out. Cautiously, Bean would begin his march back towards the top-spot.

Out dueling several of the top-markers teams of the series, Bean would regain the top spot on lap 64 and hold down the fort for an additional 11 laps before McCumbee who went down a lap earlier in the race soared back through the field to overtake the 20-year old just four laps from the finish.

Bean had to fight to finish second as pole sitter Tim Andrews made several attempts to pass the Westby, Wisconsin native but Bean held his ground and crossed the line second, his second top-five finish of the season and matching his personal career-best. Earlier this season at Salem Speedway, Bean finished second after starting on the outside pole.

“Man, I feel good,” said Bean following the event. “Everyone did an absolutely fabulous job today. I am so proud of everyone. We had great pit stops, the car was awesome. Chris (Bires) and Jeff (Spraker, spotter) were influential on my success today. We just didn’t have enough for Chad (McCumbee) who was in a NASCAR Nextel Cup Series car.”

Bean, who led the most laps on Saturday continued, “I knew when Chad got his lap back that he was going to be a threat for the win. And he was. I’m disappointed but happy all in the same sentence. I think we turned a lot of heads out there and maybe we can gain some additional sponsorship help as well. I really want to thank Five Star Telecom and Tesar, our motor builder for giving me some great horsepower. We definitely had some steam under the hood.”

With his fifth top-10 finish of the season, Bean maintains fourth in the ARCA RE/MAX Series championship standings but closed the gap on leaders Frank Kimmel, Justin Allgaier and Bobby Gerhart. Bean sits just 20 points from overtaking Gerhart and returning to the top-three.

“We gained some points and we’re heading to another favorite of mine, Michigan International Speedway. I’ve raced there three times and I’ve posted two-top 10 finishes. I’m hungry for a win next week. I really hope we can make it happen.”

Next up for the ARCA RE/MAX Series is the ARCA 200 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn , Michigan . Serving as the first of a triple-header weekend for the Michiganders, the 11th race on the 2007 schedule will take the green flag on Friday, June 15 beginning at 5:00pm with live coverage on SPEED.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

NAME: Chris Knight, BlackJack Racing
PHONE: 239.834.9797
EMAIL: knight849@aol.com