Season Finale Exposes Unyielding Determination
Season Finale Exposes Unyielding Determination NEWTON, IA (10-16-06)-- This season has been an amazing learning experience for 19-year-old Dexter Bean. The determination and motivation that this young talent has, has skyrocketed this season. Bean has faced more challenges this season that could have altered his perspective on racing, but instead he took every situation and used it to his advantage just as good racers do. This weekend’s inaugural event at the Iowa Speedway is a perfect example of hard work and endurance! The weekend began with excellent practice results. Bean used the allotted practice time to dial in his car, get used to the track and iron out any mechanical wrinkles. By the end of practice the BlackJack Racing Team was nothing but smiles. Bean soared to the top of the chart, with a lap time of 23.270 seconds (135.367 mph), with Steven Wallace at a very close second place with 23.271 seconds. The team was hoping to clinch another Pork Pole qualifying lap but things didn’t exactly go according to plan. Bean ended up 19th during his qualifying effort. This did not affect anyone’s spirits because the whole team knew they had a great car. Bean anticipated a strong and competitive race and that is exactly what he got. The No. 6 Five Star Telecom-Chevrolet Monte Carlo fired its engine for the Prairie Meadows 250 at 1:30 pm CST. His car was running strong and he was gaining position when he noticed a vibration. Taking full advantage of the caution on lap 31, Crew Chief Chris Bires made the call to pit. Bean came in for tires, minor adjustments and fuel. Back on the track, Bean was comfortable with his machine. Bean advanced from 19th position and before we knew it he was the last car on the lead lap running in 7th position! The battle was on! Bean stayed focused and with each lap he made his presence known. Between Bean’s remarkable driving skills, spotter Tony Bagstad’s eagle eyes and an extraordinary pit crew under the direction of Crew Chief Chris Bires, there was no way this team was giving up. This strong willed team made it through what could have caused Bean to lose significant position. The end was in sight when Bean got caught up in a lap traffic accident! The caution was out on lap 198 and Bean got caught in the middle. Bires did an amazing job keeping the pit crew focused on what to repair and how to repair it. The No. 6 Chevy suffered damage to the front end and the right side. Thankfully it was a long caution, which gave the crew time to do a fantastic job repairing ‘Big Red’. Although cosmetically the car looked rough, Bean drove as if nothing had happened. At the end of the Prairie Meadows 250, the Rookie was pleased with a seventh place finish! This is the third top-ten finish in the last four races. It just goes to show that dedication and determination pays off in the end. The ARCA RE/MAX Series better be prepared for this young man in the 2007 season! He is ready for victory and won’t give up until he has it! “We had a good year! We faced a few bumps along the way but we made it. This was a great race; I just wish that we wouldn’t have been involved in that incident towards the end. Our car was great and the boys were awesome! I wouldn’t have been able to make it through this year without the support of my hard working team. I would like to thank Chris Bires, Tony Bagstad, Jeff Spraker, Shane McNamara and everyone else that helped me finish my first full ARCA RE/MAX Series season! I especially want to thank my long time sponsor Five Star Telecom and my parents. Without their support, this season would not have been possible. I can’t wait until next season! We are coming back strong!�?? stated the appreciative rising star. Although the ARCA RE/MAX Series 2006 season has come to an end, that doesn’t mean that Bean is done racing. Keep a close eye on this young man! Big announcements are in the near future! To keep up with Bean and BlackJack Racing, log on to www.dexterbean.net. Stephanie Knutson 10-16-06 T: 608-634-4242 M: 608-606-9259 Stephanie@dexterbean.net ________________________________________________________________________ Check out the new AOL. Most comprehensive set of free safety and security tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from across the web, free AOL Mail and more.