BEATTIE FINISHES WINCHESTER UNSCATHED
September 23, 2001 - Winchester, IN

The ATI Performance Racing team knew going into this weekend's race that Winchester Speedway is one of the most brutal short tracks in existence. J.C. Beattie Jr. proved to be one of the toughest drivers surviving the Fall Classic. Beattie kept the car out of trouble all day long and brought the # 09 home unscathed when half of the field bowed out before checkered flag.

The weekend for the ATI # 09 got off to a rough start in Saturday's practice session. A shock bolt broke and J.C. scraped the wall, which resulted in broken left and right front spindles. The ATI crew made repairs, which limited Beattie's practice session. J.C. then had to go out for qualifying with no practice laps on the car, which is a tough task for any driver. He picked up some time in qualifying, but still qualified towards the back of the field.

"J.C. did real well considering not having any laps on the car," commented crew chief Dwayne Hudson.

"We had a good car again this weekend," said Beattie, "the guys worked really hard on the car all day." The ATI Performance Racing Team was optimistic going into the start of the Winchester 400 after a slow start in practice on Saturday.

Following a great start, trouble struck on lap 20 of the 400 lap event, as the power steering line broke and the ATI crew had to go to work. The power steering line had to be replaced, which kept J.C. on pit road for an extended period of time. They got the car back out 10 laps down and J.C. stayed out of trouble the rest of the race bringing the ATI # 09 home in 13th. Leaving Winchester Speedway with a car in one piece after 400 laps is a great day.

Joey Clanton won the 32nd annual Winchester 400 beating Florida short track veteran Mike Cope by a car length at the finish. "To win at Winchester is really special," said Clanton, "it is one of the toughest short track races there is."
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Mike Garvey finished third with Gary St. Amant and Butch Miller rounding out the top five.

The 2001 ASA/AC Delco Series comes to an end Saturday, September 29, at 8:00 p.m. EST at Indianapolis Raceway Park. The race will be broadcast live on TNN.

Race Results:

1.) Joey Clanton # 83 - 400 laps
2.) Mike Cope # 25 - 400
3.) Mike Garvey # 1 - 400
13.) J. C. Beattie Jr. # 09 - 377

Fans in the Baltimore area can listen for J.C. Beattie, Jr. on The Checkered Flag, a radio program covering NASCAR, CART, IRL, and Maryland racing. The Checkered Flag can be heard on WNST 1570 AM, Saturdays between 9 and 11 AM. Be sure to check www.jcbeattie.com or www.asaracing.com often for the latest information on J.C. Beattie, Jr. and the ATI Performance Racing team.


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