Gus Dean Looks For Passing Grade At Anderson

WILLIAMSTON, March 9, 2011: After an exceptional performance in the World Series of Asphalt Stockcar racing Crate Model division at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway last month, Gus Dean heads to Williamston, South Carolina this weekend to prepare for his Pro All Star Series (PASS) debut at Anderson Motor (S.C.) Speedway.

Dean, the Bluffton, South Carolina native heads to the racetrack with the same mentality he took to the Sunshine State which includes learning and earning the respect of his peers. Just like New Smyrna, short trace ace A.J. Frank returns to the role as crew chief and driver coach for the first PASS contest of the season.

“I’m pretty optimistic about this weekend,” said the 16 year protégé. “Overall, our week at New Smyrna was quite a success all things considered. Obviously this weekend is just a normal racing schedule but I know exactly what I have to do.”

A barrier that Dean who in 2007 earned American Kart Racing Association’s Junior II National Points Series Championship and his Gus Dean Racing (GDR) team will face will be the rising star’s familiarity with a Super Late Model (SLM). After competing in both the Crate and Pro-Late Model divisions, the Electric City 150 will mark the first outing in the more challenging SLM.

“Anytime you race a new type of car, you can have some jitter bugs,” explained Dean. “Luckily, I have a great team and A.J. (Frank) as my mentor, so I’m prepared for any initial obstacles we may initially face.”

With no prior experience at the tight and treacherous AMS and hearing that the track is somewhat similar to Florence Speedway, a track he competed in the Allison Legacy Series, Dean realizes that plenty of seat time is crucial.

“There’s going to be a lot of tracks this year I’ve never been to,” admitted Dean. “Thankfully, I have prepared myself adequately both mentally and physically to adapt to my new surroundings. My goal for this weekend is very similar to New Smyrna, learn, earn and finish.”

For the second consecutive race, Whirlpool Cooling and Heating will leap aboard the team’s No. 56 Chevrolet Impala as the primary sponsor. “With a lot of teams just struggling to the race track, I am super blessed to have a great crew and a sponsor like Whirlpool Cooling and Heating. Their support has been incredible and their faith in me to represent their company is something you really can’t describe. Hopefully, Saturday, a good finish will let them know how much I appreciate them.”