SWS: Phoenix III: Eddy McKean preview

McKean is Master of the Mile

JEROME, Idaho (November 2, 2004) Eddy McKean, the 2002 NASCAR AutoZone Southwest Series champion, is ready for the final round of the 14 race NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Southwest Series schedule to be staged at Phoenix (Ariz.) Int'l Raceway this Thursday. McKean currently sits fourth, just three points out of the third position, in the championship standings going into the final event at PIR this weekend. His sole focus is winning the race and claiming a podium finish in four years.

McKean has become the series master on the one-mile tracks the series visits each year and has made PIR is home scoring top three finishes in seven out of the last eight races staged at the desert mile. McKean's average finish in those seven races is 1.75. His only blemish at PIR is a 24th place finish in 2002 where he suffered two flat tires after running in the top five for most of the race.

This season at PIR, McKean won the opening round of the series and followed that up with a third place run last month. Though McKean struggled during the middle part of the season, he has scored four straight top ten finishes in the last four events including three top three finishes.

McKean will again welcome Wide World of Maps of Phoenix, Ariz. on board as associate sponsor for the race at PIR. The partnership paid immediate dividends last season as McKean scored two victories in the final three events and is hope for the same kind of success heading into the Cruise America "125". "I really enjoy running in the Southwest Series," McKean said. "Having Bob (Molner) and his Wide World of Maps company on the car is a big help. Bob has always supported this series over the years and I am real happy to work with him again."

Molner has been one of the most recognizable figures in the garage area for the past decade and McKean is thrilled to continue the association. "Bob obviously sees potential in our race team," McKean said. "It was great to win with Bob last season and I look forward to another victory on Thursday."

McKean Racing is sponsored by: Magic Valley Pipe & Steel, NAAKE Motorsports, Victory Circle Chassis, and Ironclad Performance Wear.

Founded in 1975 by Robert Molner and James Willinger, Wide World of Maps is the most complete map store in the Southwest, carrying every U.S.G.S. topographic map for Arizona, along with more than one million other maps, books and related items. The firm's Phoenix Mapping Service division publishes the metropolitan street atlases for Phoenix and Tucson, and produces custom maps for government and business. Their retail stores are located in Phoenix and Mesa. For information on anything map-related, call (602)279-2323.

McKean's career AutoZone Southwest Series stats include: 57 career starts, 4 wins, 22 top five and 32 top ten finishes.

McKean is also a three-time track champion at Magic Valley Speedway in Twins Falls, Idaho and a two-time NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series regional champion.

-mr-