BEAN SEEKS TO MAKE HISTORY

Jan Qualkenbush, owner of Jan's Towing knows this weekend's race at Irwindale will be a good one. Good enough to put his name on it. Thus, the Inaugural NASCAR Winston West Series Race will go down in the history books as the Irwindale 250 Presented by Jan's Towing.

Qualkenbush is ahead of his time in recognizing the benefits of sponsoring a NASCAR Winston West car. While many sponsors may be discouraged by the lack of TV coverage, others are finding the local community is more than ready to try the products or services they see on these cars. It is after all, no secret that the fans of NASCAR support the products in a way of supporting the driver.

And where television has fallen behind, other forms of media have stepped up the coverage, especially radio, print and online Internet sites. The local papers and press cover all the Winston West drivers. With the drivers, spread out from California to North Carolina there is a vast audience.

With that said, Qualkenbush and Glendora Auto Tech owner, Joe Nava, will show off their #77 Ford Taurus with driver, Joe Bean. Bean is currently 7th in the standings. He is a proven race winner and Saturday just may be the night he brings the Rudolph Foods/ Mission/Jan's Towing/Irwindale Speedway Ford to fame by winning the Inaugural event for his car owner and race sponsor. Read below what Joe Bean thinks about the race and facility.

Team: Glendora Auto Tech Motorsports
Car #: 77
Driver: Joe Bean
Owner: Joe Nava/Jan Qualkenbush

RacingWest: What are your impressions of the facility by either seeing it or hearing about it?
Joe Bean: It is a beautiful facility. High class, sort of like a mini California Speedway.

RW: What do you expect from the fans at Irwindale Speedway? Will they know the Winston West drivers?
JB: Believe it or not, the Winston West series has a big following here in Southern Calif.

RW: Did you have time to take advantage of the test days at the new track and if so, what did you think?
JB: We have been able to run a few laps during the past few weeks to promote the race for Irwindale Speedway. The racetrack has been gracious enough to sponsor us for this event and one of my car owners is actually sponsoring this race. So if anyone has time please stop by our pits and thank Jan Qualkenbush for helping make it happen.

RW: How has your team prepared for this new track?
JB: Our team is pretty well prepared for most races, so we will be prepared for this one as well.

RW: What do you see as most challenging about Irwindale Speedway?
JB: Surviving the 250 laps. Actually, with this being a new event here I think a lot of the drivers are looking to make their mark on the record books.

RW: Since the track is banked like Tucson, but it is 1/2 mile like Mesa. What kind of setup will you use?
JB: We will be using set-up closer to the Tucson set-up.

RW: It is rumored that Irwindale may be hard on tires. What is your plan to manage tires at this track?
JB: Tire management is always part of our race strategy. I think it's important to conserve your car and tires but it is also important to stay up front on the lead lap. The real trick is going to be saving he right front tire.

RW: What changes do you regularly make between practice, qualifying and the race? Will this new track be any different?
JB: It all depends on whether or not NASCAR impounds the cars after qualifying. We have a good race set-up, but have come up a little short on qualifying.

RW: There are possibly 3 groves at Irwindale. Typically to win you must start up front; can any car win from the back with three groves?
JB: Most definitely. Three grooves might be pushing it a little in the latter stages of the race with all the marbles up there, but you never know.

RW: Does it work better for your team to race in LA as opposed to other destinations on the Winston West Series?
JB: This racetrack is in our back yard. Our race shop is based in Glendora, which is about 10 minutes down the road. I hope this gives us the home field advantage.

RW: Will your team be doing any special promotions for sponsors during this weekend? Or where can fans get your autograph?
JB: Our team has been on a whirlwind of promotions this past month. We participated in a city event down in San Diego for BBB's Galore and for the last 2 weeks have been out at Irwindale displaying our shower for the fans. We also had a chance to sneak in a few laps. We just got back from a promotion at the Tustin Thunder where we also took our show car.

RW: Do you carry a good luck charm with you in the car?
JB: I heard the team used to have a driver that wore lucky underwear, but I don't believe in lucky charms.

RW: Finally when not racing what is your regular job?
JB: I own California Precision and CPR Engine Development in San Diego.