"Rising Star"

Adam Dean Reflects on Galaxy Kingsport Speedway, Looks Ahead to 2002

BRISTOL, TENN. (October 2, 2001) – At age twenty, Adam Dean has already accomplished a lot in his brief racing career. The current Galaxy Kingsport Speedway competitor captured two 'Rookie of the Year' titles last year in legends cars at Galaxy 411 Speedway and Galaxy Kingsport Speedway. This year, the Abingdon, Va., resident is in the top five in Shoney's Late Model points at GKS and in the thick of a battle for another 'Rookie of the Year' title. This week's East Tennessee 'Top Dawg' Championship 150-lap late model race will be Dean's last scheduled appearance at GKS as a regular competitor.

Dean has been close to victory many times this year. Two weeks ago, he was leading the late model feature before being shoved out of the way by second place VanDyke, who went on to win his first late model feature. The theft lit a fire in Dean's eyes, and he is ready to come back stronger than ever in this week's 150-lap, double points event. The Shoney's Late Model division at Kingsport is the only division in which Dean has not won in his career.

"I'm very optimistic about the 150. My car seems to work best on long runs so I think we'll be near the front at the end of the race," commented the driver of the No. 81 Food Country USA/Century Control Systems Pontiac. "The car's been handling very well lately. We've done some testing over the past few weeks and we found a few things that really helped the car such as spring and track bar changes. The car is really quick around the center part of the corner now and I think that's the key to getting around GKS."

Dean's team owner, Wade Lopez, has already tasted victory this year. Jeff Berry and VanDyke have also been to victory lane, leaving Dean as the highest non-winner in the point standings. The previously forged rivalry with VanDyke that was reheated two races ago, the chase for the 'Rookie of the Year' title, along with his status as the 'highest non-winner,' have caused him to put a lot of pressure on himself. It's something he's used to.

"There's a lot of pressure on me to win this week," Dean revealed. "I've put the pressure on myself because I haven't won yet this year and I feel like we should at least have two or three by now.  That, combined with a relatively tight points battle for 'Rookie of the Year,' just adds to the anxiety that I feel this week. 'Rookie of the Year' would be a nice accomplishment, but either way I'm happy with how we've performed. If not for many weeks of bad luck, we'd be much closer to the leaders in points than we are right now. "

"I think the biggest factor in the success of our team this year lies in two areas," continued Dean, whose associate sponsors include Buckes Enterprises Heating and Air and Pro Image Graphics. "The first factor is that we have top quality crew members. Although I don't communicate the needs of the car as well as I'd like to, my crew chief (Dave Roope) has been able to provide me with a great handling race car every week.  I also can't thank Wade enough for taking me under his wing and giving me the opportunity to work with the best people in racing."

The fact that Dean will most likely not return to Kingsport as a regular competitor for some time does not help matters, either. Previously committing to the USAR Hooters ProCup Series, the team has opted to change directions and focus on the Gatorade All-Pro Series, NASCAR Touring for 2002, which leaves Dean little time to compete on the Tennessee 3/8 mile track. Obviously excited about the opportunity, he also has some things he will miss about the facility's events.

"The thing that I'll miss most about Kingsport is that it's probably the toughest track to drive that I've ever been to," said Dean. "One of the best qualities of the racing this year would have to be that the same cars weren't up front every week. There's a lot of variety in the competition. With some tracks there is just one driver that dominates, but not at Kingsport."

The Gatorade All-Pro Series, NASCAR Touring is a regional touring late model division of NASCAR that runs on various short tracks and speedways throughout the southeast. The cars are similar to what Dean has driven this year, but are fiberglass-bodied with much more horsepower. Not intimidated, Dean has stepped up to the challenge of longer races, faster cars, and different racetracks.

"Hopefully the 150 lapper will help to build my endurance for the longer races in the All-Pro Series," Dean remarked. "A few weeks ago, we ran a 100-lapper, and I was relatively fresh at the end. I'm looking forward to running another 50 laps. I'm also looking forward to getting into a car with more power. It'll be a great experience racing on tracks like Bristol, Nashville, Myrtle Beach, South Boston, and the like."

To help prepare for this mission, Dean and Highlands Motorsports will be traveling to various special events in the southeast with their late model stock cars. This will help expose Dean to various racetracks, some of which are All-Pro tracks, and the demands of traveling. On the other hand, this gives the team less time to concentrate on preparing for the Gatorade All-Pro Series. However, Dean has no worries and is confident in the abilities of his team.

"We're going to have a pretty short off-season this year," Dean emphasized. "We plan to travel around a little after the season ends at GKS.  It's going to take a lot of work to get ready for the All-Pro Series. Hopefully we'll be able to find some marketing partners for next year to make sure that we don't lack any quality in the equipment."

If Dean's past career accomplishments are any indication, it should be an eventful 2002 for the John S. Battle High School graduate. The same school that produced NASCAR President Mike Helton has one very hot, young prospect in Dean moving up through the ranks as a driver.

Media Contact/Further Information:

Tony "Tex" Stevens
Office: 724.223.0965
Cellular: 412.225.0348
Email: Tex@SpeedFX.com

Photos Courtesy of Randall Perry. All Copyrights to their respective owners.

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