JC BATTLES BACK AT ELKO
June 18, 2002 - Baltimore, MD

ATI Performance Racing trekked to Elko Speedway in Elko, Minnesota for the next stop on the Midwest portion of the 2002 ASA Tour. Not only was this JC's first visit to the .375 Mile oval, it was also ASA's first visit to Elko Speedway in its 34 year history of short track stock car racing. The green flag was set to fly at 2PM EST for the Minnesota Governors Cup 300 presented by Coca-Cola.

The ATI Chevy Monte Carlo was coming into its own during practice on Saturday. By the third practice session the #09 was ninth fastest on the chart out of a 30-car field. A long day of tuning and adjustments by the crew produced positive results throughout practice.

The standing room only crowd was ready to see some exciting side-by-side action in the inaugural Minnesota Governor's Cup 300 on Sunday. JC knew he had his work cut out for him because there is no time to wait around on a .375-mile track. Before you know it, you're lapped. Beattie was quick out of the gate and picked his way through the pack early on in the race. The ATI #09 was then slowed when the transmission began to leak onto the exhaust sending smoke and fumes into the cockpit. With the help of some cautions and determination, JC battled the smoke and fumes the whole race and continued to work through the field. At the end of the day JC crossed the strip in 18th place.

"It was a tough race and we fought all the way until the end," said Beattie. "This is a nice track and a real nice facility. I am looking forward to coming back here in the future."

Joey Clanton held off a hard charging David Stremme and returned to victory lane for his 6th win of the 2002 ASA season. Mike Garvey, Kevin Cywinski and Gary St. Amant rounded out the top five.

The 2002 ASA Racing Series heads south to I-70 Speedway for the Missouri 300 presented by Jani-King and Price Chopper on Saturday, June 22, 2002. The race will take the green flag just after 8 p.m. (Central) and will be telecast on a same-day tape delay basis on TNN The National Network starting at midnight (Eastern).


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