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NASCAR: Steve Park Injured In Atlanta Practice Crash

6 March 1998

By Terry Callahan The Auto Channel

Rookie NASCAR driver, Steve Park, broke his right leg in a crash while practicing for the Primestar 500 in Hampton, GA Friday morning.

Park drives for seven time Winston Cup champion, Dale Earnhardt, with Pennzoil as the primary sponsor of the car.

The crash occurred in turn four of the Atlanta Motor Speedway. Park, age 30, was in the middle of the turn when a suspension piece broke on his Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The car veered right quickly and hard into the outside wall. He hit the wall two more times before coming to rest on the pit lane.

Safety crews worked for nearly fifteen minutes removing Park from his damaged racer. It was quickly announced he had a broken right femur (thigh). He was awake and alert at the scene. He talked to safety crews throughout the removal process.

The talented rookie was transported to via helicopter to Georgia Baptist Hospital for treatment of his injuries.