Dexter Bean Looking To Conquer Salem

Topics:  Dexter Bean, Eddie Gilstrap Motors ARCA Fall Classic

Chris Knight
BlackJack Racing
September 12, 2007

SALEM, Indiana (September 12, 2007) - - If there’s one race that ARCA RE/MAX Series (ARS) sophomore driver Dexter Bean has been looking forward to it’s the series return to Salem Speedway in Southern Indiana.

The wicked half-mile facility has been kind to the Westby, Wisconsin native lately and as Saturday’s Eddie Gilstrap Motors ARCA Fall Classic by Advance Auto Parts draws near the BlackJack Racing driver knows that the 21st event of the 2007 season provides an excellent chance from him to record victory number one.

“I’ve been waiting for this weekend for a while,” said Dexter Bean, driver of the No. 6 Five Star Telecom Chevrolet. “We’ve run well at Salem . I just love this place. It reminds me of a Bristol Motor Speedway but on the ARCA circuit. This place holds a lot of memories to me and this is one of the best opportunities for me to score a win.”

Speaking of memories, the rising star has a lot of them at Salem Speedway.

Bean is the defending pole winner of the Eddie Gilstrap Motors ARCA Fall Classic by Advance Auto Parts. Last year, driving the familiar red and white Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Bean thundered around the legendary track in a quick time of 17.838 seconds at 112.008 awarding the 20-year native with his first career ARCA SIM Factory pole award. In that event, Bean went on to lead a personal race high 64 laps before finishing 11th after being spun out late in the race while running in the top-five.

This past spring, Bean brought the same Chevrolet Monte Carlo back to the track looking for the same type of magic. After practicing strong, Bean qualified on the outside pole and would control the event for 30 laps before setting for a career-best second place finish.

Reviewing his notes, Bean and his BlackJack Racing team are ready for their fourth trip to Salem Speedway and have all eyes on stealing the show.

“We had a good race going in this event last year and ended up with an 11th place finish. In April, our race was nearly perfect. This weekend, we want to have the same type of performance, but conquer the one obstacle that has stood in this team’s way, a win. We’ve been close this year a couple times. My guys on the BlackJack Racing team have worked hard this season and I know a victory would mean a lot to them with just three races left to go this weekend.”

Crew Chief Chris Bires has elected to bring back the same Chevrolet Monte Carlo that he competed with in on all the short track races this season including Salem .

“This car has proven to be a strong one for this season and we’re hoping for the same type of performance this weekend under the lights,” continued Bean, who sits third in the championship standings. “I’m excited to get back night racing too. It’s a lot of fun and usually provides a great show for the fans. If you can’t tell, we’re really excited about the race this weekend; it should be a lot of fun!”

Sitting third in the ARCA RE/MAX Series championship standings heading into the 21st event of the season, Bean knows he controls that spot but still has his sights set on the top two positions.

“It’s going to be no easy task the last three races to try and climb into the top-two. Frank (Kimmel) and Michael (McDowell) are running extremely well this season and they are going to be tough to beat. We’re just going to keep the same mentality we’ve had all season and if we inch up further in the standings, great, but if we bring home third, I’ll be satisfied with that too.”

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.

Entering Salem , Dexter Bean has 48 ARCA RE/MAX Series starts to his credit with five-top five finishes and 16 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 2006) 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 remainder of the season and for 2008. For sponsorship inquires, please contact BlackJack Racing at 608.634.4242.

The Eddie Gilstrap Motors ARCA Fall Classic by Advance Auto Parts (200 laps/110 miles) is the 21st of 23 races on the 2007 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule. The 79th ARCA race held at Salem Speedway is a one-day show. Practice begins Saturday, September 15 with an hour and a half practice session planned from 1:30-2:35pm. ARCA SIM Factory pole qualifying is set for later in the day at 4:00pm Local Time. The event will take the green flag shortly after 7:15pm Local Time. The race will not be televised but additional race coverage is available online at arcaracing.com.

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

Dexter Bean, BlackJack Racing, Salem Speedway , Notes of Interest:

· Dexter Bean will make his fourth career start at Salem Speedway. In his most recent start in April, Bean finished second after starting second including leading 30 laps.

· 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 has set a new personal record this year excelling past his 2006 ARCA RE/MAX Series stats after posting three top fives and 10 top-10 finishes after 20 races this season. Last year, Bean had recorded two top-fives and five top-10s.

· Following Salem , BlackJack Racing is scheduled to compete in the open test at Talladega Superspeedway on Tuesday, September 25 in preparation for the ARCA RE/MAX 250 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 5, 2007.

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