Hardeeville Speedway Chhris Beach profile

HARDEEVILLE, S.C. (July 19, 2001) - Chris Beach, 16-year-old Hardeeville, S.C.-native, continues to rack up the victories at Hardeeville Motor Speedway. Last week's racing action from the track produced two prized victories for Beach, where he captured the Late Model crown, as well as the Legends Cars Pro division's race.

Starting at the rear of the pack for the 50-lap feature, Beach and the No. 03 Hargray Communications Chevrolet made their move to the front look easy as he bypassed each of his competitors to take the lead by lap 15. With Beach's toughest competition, Tommy Porter, Jr., battling behind him, it allowed Beach to pull away and lengthen his lead. A few cautions during the event allowed Porter, Jr. to close in, but Beach, in the No. 03 Late Model, was just too much as he captured his sixth victory of the year in his rookie season behind the wheel of a Late Model.

Doing double duty last Saturday evening proved fruitful for the spirited youngster. Before taking the green flag in the Late Model event, Beach picked up the victory in his No. 03 Hargray Communications Legends Car. The 25-lap feature race for the Pro division had some of the area's best Legends Cars drivers competing, with Beach among the favorites. Beach, who started at the rear, was leading the field by lap 19. Beach continued to fend of the second and third place runners for the remaining six laps. The Legends Cars race was Beach's second win in four starts this year.

"I could've never imagined winning six times in my rookie year of Late Models," stated Beach. "The car is hooked up each time I go out on the track, thanks to my crew and Robert Elliott Racing Engines. As far as the Legends Cars, I've got a lot of experience with them, and it's just fun to get back out and compete in those."

Beach hopes to travel to several of the Southeast's short tracks in the remaining 2001 season, competing in the Late Model division, in hopes of fine-tuning his driving skills. Beach has also made the trek from Hardeeville, S.C. to Charlotte, N.C. to compete in the Lowe's Motor Speedway Summer Shootout a few times this summer, driving his No. 03 Hargray Communications Legends Car.

Chris Beach began racing motocross at the age of nine. Beach moved up to go-karts and then to Legends Cars. Chris captured the 1999 South Carolina state championship for the Young Lions division and the 2000 South Carolina state championship for the Semi-Pro division in Legends. In 2001, Beach will race his Hargray Communications Chevrolet Late Model at several Carolina tracks, including Hardeeville Motor Speedway, while continuing his studies at the Thomas Heyward Academy.

-HS