NASCAR Cup

Park/Pennzoil Dover preview

Ã˜ Starting in his 103rd Winston Cup event, Steve Park in the Dale Earnhardt, Inc.-owned ...

Edited: Apr 15, 2002, 11:45 PM

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Ø Starting in his 103rd Winston Cup event, Steve Park in the Dale Earnhardt, Inc.-owned #1 Pennzoil Chevrolet Monte Carlo readies for the Monster Mile at Dover Downs International Speedway as the team takes to the 1-mile track at Dover Downs (Delaware) International Speedway on June 3; shown live on FOX beginning at 12:30 p.m. EST.

Ø Exactly 20 races ago, Park posted his best outing on the challenging cement track by taking the checkered flag in the fourth position. He now boasts an average finish of 11.8 at Dover in five attempts, which includes two top-10 finishes.

Ø In last year’s spring event, Park was the victim of a yellow flag while pitting, putting him a lap down. Tight conditions on the #1 Pennzoil Monte Carlo inhibited Park from moving easily toward the front. Only five cars remained on the lead circuit at the end of the 400-lap event and Park was one of six competitors four laps behind the leaders. His most recent outing, however, proved much more successful after the Pennzoil crew performed perfect pit stops – keeping Park toward the front. Fighting Ricky Rudd late in the race, Park settled for the fourth spot, unable to make a clean pass around the #28 car.

Ø After a loose lug nut kept them from claiming top honors during the Pit Crew Challenge at Rockingham late last year, the Pennzoil pit crew sought redemption this past weekend during the special Coke pit stop competition at Speed Street festivities in uptown Charlotte. Competing against nine teams, the #1 team executed the stationary stop faster than any other team to take home the $7,000 top prize.

Steve Park:
“We are encouraged about our performance for Dover,” said Park, who stands eighth in the Winston Cup points race. “Although we faltered just slightly in Charlotte, this Pennzoil team is known for rebounding when we need it the most. The rule change just threw us for a little loop.

“The track at Dover is very finicky. Getting grip into the corners is what you need most. Paul (Andrews) will have everything figured out by the time we get to Dover. The whole DEI group went back to the drawing board to look at all the data so we’ll be ready for this weekend. After last week’s run, I’m looking forward to coming back and putting in a good performance on race day.”

Crew chief Paul Andrews:
“Testing has shown that the new Goodyear tire doesn’t have a lot of grip on the cement tracks but we ran good in Bristol and the two tracks have similarities. It’s going to be a pretty big challenge to get the car the way Steve (Park) wants it but last year’s finish will give us extra confidence this weekend.

“We are struggling a little with the NASCAR rule change eliminating the bump stops but, with more practice, we keep running better. At least we’re getting a handle on it and should be in good shape for Dover.”

-PR

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