Springfield Ahead With Dexter Bean Ready To Conquer

Topics:  Dexter Bean, Allen Crowe 100

Chris Knight
BlackJack Racing
August 15, 2007

“Wisconsin Native Searching For First Victory This Weekend”

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois (Wednesday, August 15, 2007) - - The ARCA RE/MAX Series is very known for it’s diverse schedule and with that being said, the first of two dirt races of the season begins with Sunday’s Allen Crowe 100. For sophomore ARCA RE/MAX Series driver Dexter Bean, it’s another chance to seek his first career victory in one of the most anticipated events on the schedule.

Last year, Bean stormed into Springfield having no prior dirt racing of any kind. You would not have known though, based on his performance. After practicing 10th, Bean then qualified 10th before running a very competitive race resulting in a 13th place finish.

This season, with much improved performances and sitting third in the championship standings, Bean hopes that his second trip to the Illinois State Fairgrounds leads into more spectacular results.

“The dirt is back,” said Dexter Bean, driver of the No. 6 Five Star Telecom Chevrolet. “I have to be completely honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I entered Springfield last year, but after the runs we had on the dirt last year, I don’t mind racing on it at all.”

Bean continued, “You cannot find another racing sanction in the United States that competes on speedways, short tracks and the dirt. I love competing in the ARCA RE/MAX Series and the race this weekend contributes to why this series is so important to so many people.”

Rolling into Springfield , Bean is on the stretch of two consecutive top-10 finishes after posting seventh place runs at both Pocono Raceway and Nashville Superspeedway last week. His solid runs have inched him closer to the top-two in the championship chase. With a little more than a handful set of races left, Bean knows there is no room for error and he has to stay on top of his game.

“We’ve been lucky to have a great season,” added Bean, a native of Westby , Wisconsin . “Last year we struggled with a variety of issues. This year, we’ve had our share of misfortunes, but we’ve been able to overcome those obstacles and we’re looking to continue our stretch of acceptable runs on Sunday.”

Bean also noted, “I like the races being one day shows. Everything starts really earlier in the morning, but we’re racing by 1:00pm and on the road heading home by 5:00pm or so. It’s a good thing for the teams. I have a couple of objectives for myself this weekend, but the main key is to put myself in position for the win. A win would mean so much to this team. They deserve it. I have the best bunch of guys on the tour and I would like nothing more than to reward them in a big way on Sunday afternoon.”

Crew chief Chris Bires has elected to bring their short track machine to Springfield this weekend. It is also the same automobile the team competed with in both dirt events last season. The car is also responsible for Bean’s short track career best of second at Salem Speedway this April.

“We’re bringing a really good piece to the track this weekend,” sounded Bean. “We have not raced this car since Berlin , so we’ve been able to fine tune it, making sure we have the car in tip-top shape heading into Sunday’s race. I have a good feeling. When I usually have a good feeling, we run exceptionally well.”

While BlackJack Racing is still searching for additional sponsorship of Bean's No. 6 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, the team is glad to have local longtime supporter Five Star Telecom on board as an associate sponsor.

Since their beginning in 1973, FST (Five Star Telecom), a long-time supporter of Bean's racing career has become one of the largest interconnect companies in the Upper Midwest , with multiple locations serving the tri-state area.

Rolling into Springfield, Dexter Bean has 42 ARCA RE/MAX Series starts to his credit with four-top fives finishes and 13 top-10 efforts. He holds a career best finish of second at Salem Speedway and Pocono Raceway (April 2007 and June 2007). He owns the 2006 ARCA SIM Factory pole award at Salem Speedway (September) while hoisting a career-best speedway time trials effort of fourth at Pocono Raceway (June 2006). Bean also has controlled the ARCA field for 138 laps in six races.

BlackJack Racing is still seeking additional primary and associate sponsors for the 2007 ARCA RE/MAX Series season. For sponsorship inquiries, please contact BlackJack Racing at david@mwt.net or 608.634.4242.

The Allen Crowe 100 (100 laps/100 miles) is the 16 of 23 races on the 2007 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule. The 25th ARCA race held at Illinois State Fairgrounds is a one day show. Practice begins Sunday, August 19 with an hour practice (9:00am-10:00am) session planned. ARCA SIM Factory pole qualifying is set for later in the morning at 11:00am Local Time. The event will take the green flag shortly after 1:00pm Local Time. The race will not be televised but additional race coverage can be found online at arcaracing.com

For more on Dexter Bean and BlackJack Racing, please visit DexterBean.net

Dexter Bean, BlackJack Racing Illinois State Fairgrounds Notes of Interest:

· Dexter Bean will make his second career start at Illinois State Fairgrounds ( Springfield ) this weekend. Last August, he collected a finish of 13th after starting 10th.

· Crew Chief Chris Bires is the brother of NASCAR Busch Series driver Kelly Bires and the brother in-law to NASCAR Nextel Cup Series driver Johnny Sauter and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Tim Sauter.

· Dexter Bean continued to set a new personal record last weekend excelling past his 2006 ARCA RE/MAX Series stats after posting his seventh top-10 finish of the 2007 season in only the 15th race of the year. Last year, Bean had recorded two top-fives and five top-10s. Thus far, Bean has notched two top-fives (second places finishes at Salem Speedway and Pocono Raceway) and seven top-10 efforts.

· Next week is one of the biggest races for BlackJack Racing and Dexter Bean this season. The ARCA RE/MAX Series heads to The Milwaukee Mile, the track the team calls home. Bean will be joined by family, friends and sponsors hoping to see Bean in contention for the win in the Governors Cup 200.

MEDIA CONTACT:
NAME: Chris Knight, BlackJack Racing
PHONE: 239.834.9797
EMAIL: Knight849@aol.com