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SWS: What dreams may come for Frank Deiny Jr

Las Vegas, Nevada (January, 21 2003) For some, dreams are nothing more then hazy subconscious images, for others they are a roadmap to success. Frank Deiny Jr. has dreams and he has followed them from Quarter Midgets to the NASCAR Featherlite ...

Las Vegas, Nevada (January, 21 2003) For some, dreams are nothing more then hazy subconscious images, for others they are a roadmap to success. Frank Deiny Jr. has dreams and he has followed them from Quarter Midgets to the NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series.

Deiny grew up in California in literally the back yard of Saugus Speedway. The son of racing pioneer, Frank Deiny Sr., founder of Speedway Engineering, racing was a way of life for the Deiny's. In 1992, Deiny moved back East to chase his dream at the next level.

Since racing was all he ever wanted to do, the move to Virginia was the only thing to do. Racing in NASCAR's Late Model division he ran more than fifty races each season at several of the regions premier racetracks. "I gained a ton of experience real early," Deiny said. "There are so many drivers back here you have to learn car set-up and how to qualify. The great thing about the racing on the East coast is that most all of the feature races at a "Saturday night" short track are at least 100-laps. You get experience real fast and real often."

Deiny has parlayed that experience into what most would envy. He no longer drives his own cars, but is a "hired gun" where local racing is under the watchful eye of racing's big leagues. Deiny has also used his talents at Townsend Race Products where sells racing products, builds shocks, and is the company's test driver for all new race cars that are produced in the shop. In 2002, he achieved a long-time goal he has had since moving East, and that was to win the Taco Bell 300 at Martinsville Speedway.

"That was the biggest day of my racing career," Deiny said of his win at Martinsville. "Everyone knows about the Taco Bell 300 no matter where you live. It is a race that means so much. I had a pole there in 2001 and qualified 12th out of 130 cars last year. I just had a feeling that it was mine last year."

His experience at Townsend has offered Deiny the unique opportunity to log laps, not only on the weekends, but during the week. "I probably run more than 500 laps in a week," Deiny said. "Racing two or three nights and testing cars is a big advantage and I learn something new every lap I run."

Deiny may have more laps under his belt in a month then most drivers race all season. He is counting on that experience as he makes the move to the Featherlite Southwest Series for 2003. Deiny will join the Star Nursery team out of Las Vegas, Nevada in hopes of winning yet another championship on his way to Winston Cup.

"I ran five races for the Star Nursery team last season and I really liked what I saw," Deiny stated. "They have a great operation and are well funded. I really get along with Bobby (Meyn), and Craig Keough is a class guy."

Keough, owner of the Star Nursery team, is one of the most respected owners in the Featherlite Southwest Series and wants to see his team win another championship. Kurt Busch won the series championship in 1999 driving for Keough before heading to the NASCAR Craftsman Trucks Series. "My goal is to get a young driver to the next level," Keough said. "Frank is a driver that is definitely on his way. If we can help him, then that helps us as a team."

Deiny will maintain his residence in Mechanicsburg, Virginia and travel to all Featherlite Southwest Series events this season. He will also continue driving his Late Model on off series weekends at special events. His focus is squarely on winning the 2002 Rookie-of-the-Year crown and the Featherlite Southwest Series championship. Those may be lofty goals for some but for Frank Deiny Jr. they are just the fulfillment of dreams.

-nascar-

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