STRONG EFFORT FOR JOE BEAN & PERFORMANCE MOTORSPORTS

Source: Performance Motorsports
Date: 11/12/2001

The Albertson's Supermarkets, Coca Cola, King Taco Ford Taurus driven by Joe Bean started the night out in an envious position. After qualifying in the 6th spot out of 32 cars entered, the team hammered out a race strategy that would keep the # 77 running with the leaders and conserve tires and brakes for the end run. The Performance Motorsports Team holds the 250 lap race record set last year when Joe came back from a cut tire and more than two laps down to lap the field and win the race. "I know this race track real well and our shop is 10 minutes down the road." That win was a very popular one for the team as all their sponsors, a lot of their fan base and all their relatives were present for the win.

Joe quickly moved up a few positions and settled in running third for most of the race. " I really felt that we had a car that could win the race. We had a good run and some great pit stops." said Joe. As the race wore on it seemed like all the cars running picked up a loose condition, which makes the rear of the car want to come around exiting the turns. " We were getting a little loose there, but the car was still running great. I knew that Steve Portenga was hot on my tail, but I felt that I still had a lot left in the car. Going into turn 3 my spotter told me that there was one looking low. I got into the corner alright, but felt contact on my left door and I went around. The leaders got by me before I could fire the car back up." Joe still managed to run with the leaders, but by then he was running a lap down to them. The team ended up finishing in the 15th position.

Performance Motorsports also hosted a group of guys with an international flavor. Neville Lance, Darryl Lance, Bruce Peacock and Brian Pope came up from Australia to compete in the season finale at Irwindale Speedway. Neville qualoified in the 22nd spot and ran a good clean race ending up in the 18th spot. The car came in without a scratch on it. " I like running with these mates." said Neville. " I hope that we can come back next year and run a few races in this series like we did this year. This series is better than anything we have down under. The second thing that we come up here for is the food."

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