For the second time in 2002, the ASA Racing Series was in Cedar Rapids, Iowa for the Iowa 300 at Hawkeye Downs Speedway on September 8, 2002. With the season winding down and the points race heating up, there was no room for mistake.

We all remember the frightening incident in the spring race at Hawkeye Downs which saw JC scramble to escape a smoke filled racecar after an oil pressure hose caught fire. JC sought to put the spring race behind him for good and also rebound from engine troubles that plagued ATI Performance Racing one week ago at Minnesota St. Fair.

The ATI Chevy Monte Carlo started the weekend off slow in practice on Saturday. Starting 30th and knowing the ATI #09 was not up to par, JC decided he had to be patient and drive smart for 300 laps. Beattie ran a solid race and kept the #09 out of trouble while he patiently worked through the field. The crew made a few different adjustments during pit stops, but the car did not respond. At days end, JC gained 13 positions and collected a 17th place finish. The only other car that advanced more positions during the race was winner Gary St. Amant who started 15th and finished 1st.

Gary St. Amant won his second in a row after taking the lead from Joey Clanton on the restart after a caution on lap 269. Kevin Cywinski finished third with Garvey, Pyle and Carlson rounding out the top five. Clanton's lead shrinks even further to 12 points over St. Amant with three races remaining.

There is only one month remaining to cast your vote for JC Beattie Jr. as the most popular ASA driver. Log-on to www.51sportsracing.com and vote for JC Beattie Jr.

The ASA will make its first appearance at Illiana Motor Speedway in Schererville, IN on September 22, 2002 for the CITGO/MDA 300 presented by Texor Petroleum Company. The race will be telecast live on TNN The National Network starting at 2:00PM EST.

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