NASCAR BGN: Park Replaces Wayne Grubb for Texas BGN Race
23 March 1999
Former Busch Driver Sees Both Sides Of Debate Over Cup Drivers In The BGN SeriesMooresville, N.C. - Dale Earnhardt Inc. announced Monday that #1 Pennzoil Monte Carlo driver Steve Park will race the Grubb Motorsports #83 Busch Grand National car at Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday. Regular driver Wayne Grubb suffered a broken shoulder at Atlanta two weeks ago.
Saturday's race marks Park's first BGN race since he earned three victories and the rookie of the year award on the Busch Series in 1997. That season propelled Park and his DEI team to the Winston Cup Series where the young the Pennzoil team is in its second year.
Park said the Saturday Busch Series races served as a place for that series' regulars to learn the skills without the spotlight needed just to run with the tougher Winston Cup Series as well as gauge their progress against some of the sports toughest competitors like Mark Martin, Jeff Burton and others. For Winston Cup regulars, Saturday's race is a way to learn the newly configured Texas track.
In 1999, the Busch Series has seen as many as 18 Winston Cup regulars make races. That influx has meant several Busch regulars were sent home from the 43-car starting field prompting considerable debate.
Your Return To Busch Series on Saturday?
"I can't wait to get back into a Busch Car. We are doing a favor for Wayne Grubb and his team, but they are also doing us a favor. This is a chance for me to get more seat time on a track that I have only raced on once. We were leading that race in Texas for a while in 1997 before a lap car got us in trouble. That place owes me one, but our main goal is to get our Pennzoil Monte Carlo running like we want it to and I think running on Saturday at Texas will help us on Sunday. Experience is everything in this sport. If I can climb out of that Busch car on Saturday with a better understanding of that track then that makes everything worthwhile.
"Wayne got hurt at Atlanta and I certainly know what that is like. I broke my leg at Atlanta and missed a lot of time. I also know the worst part of that was watching another driver get in your ride. You really want the team to do well, but you also want to be part of it. He's going through a tough time now, but he will be OK. I think I'm stronger for what I went through; so will Wayne."
Busch Drivers Racing Winston Cup Drivers
"I always liked racing against the Winston Cup guys. I figure if you are going to be the best you have to beat the best. In 1997, Mark Martin and I had a heck of a race at Talladega. I watched what he did in those final laps and learned a lot. I remember thinking that I had Mark in front of me on the track and Earnhardt in my ear talking to me on the radio. It's hard for a young driver to get a better lesson than that."
It's The Show That Matters
"I understand the Busch guys point when they complain about Winston Cup drivers running in their series. When I was in the Busch Series we were always good enough that we didn't have to worry about making fields. If we were struggling and the Winston Cup guys participation meant we had to go home then I might feel differently.
"But, more importantly than what any of the drivers or teams think is what the fans think. If the fans want to see guys like Mark Martin, Jeff Burton, and the Labontes race on Saturdays then they should get that chance. Guys in the Busch Series are future stars, but some of those guys coming down to race against them are already stars. Their participation makes for a better show. They family that can't afford or can't get tickets for Sunday can come on Saturday and get to see their favorite driver. We can't get so caught up in all this and forget the fans."
Is There A Danger In Running On Saturday?
"I think if it were late in the year and you were battling for a point's championship then I could see where you wouldn't want to risk anything and not race. But, we are in the risk business. Racing can be dangerous at times and we all know it. I know I would never skip a race because I was afraid I might get hurt. I think most of the Winston Cup drivers feel the same way."
1999 Season So Far?
"It's been both good and bad. The good is mostly on Sundays where, for the most part, the Pennzoil car has run pretty well. We went from 29th place to 17th place in 45 laps at Darlington on Sunday then went back all the way to 30th spot because we were pitting on the backstretch. After that we climbed up to 12th when the rain came. That seems to be the story of our year. Just when something bad happens something good soon follows and vice versa. If we run everywhere like we did at Darlington and Las Vegas then we are going to be fine.
"We need to improve qualifying. That has hurt us. When you start at the back you have to be pretty good because if you get bogged down in all that traffic the leaders can get up on you in a hurry and lap you. This is a lot tougher than anyone can believe. If you are going to do well in Winston Cup you have to be perfect. There is just too much competition to be even a little off and I'm talking about both qualifying and racing."
Life As A Car Owner:
"I used to think driving was the hardest job in racing, but I'm the car owner for my Dad's (Bob Park) race team on the SMART (Southern Modified Auto Racing Teams) tour. He works in the gear shop at DEI and this was something that started as a hobby but has turned into a pretty serious effort to do well. They run mostly in the Carolinas and Georgia and it's a pretty neat deal. Those guys race hard. Dad works on the car after hours. But buying equipment and getting the crew together takes a lot of time. The hardest part is looking for sponsorship. As a driver, all I have to worry about getting the Pennzoil car right and doing all the appearances, but trying to find a sponsor for Dad is a pretty demanding job and honestly we haven't had much success yet. We are still calling everyone we know and working hard to find a sponsor.
"I can't imagine what it is like to be a Winston Cup owner. I guess I'll leave all those headaches to Earnhardt. I've got all I can handle trying to get Dad's modified deal up and running."
Race: Sunday, March 28, 1999 in Fort Worth, TX for the Primestar 500
TV: CBS 2:00pm/et
Purse: $4,057,094
1998 Race Winner: Mark Martin
Track/Race Length: 1.5 mile oval, 334 laps, 501 miles
Practice: Friday, Mar 26th, 12noon - 1:15pm/et and 2:05 - 3:25pm/et:
Saturday, Mar 27nd, 10:00 - 11:00am/et
First Round Qualifying: 1 lap for positions 1-25, Friday, Mar 26th at 4:30pm/et, TV-? and live via PRN radio/internet
Record Pole Speed: Jeremy Mayfield, April 1998, 185.906 mph
Last Year's Pole Sitter: Mayfield
Second-Round Qualifying: Saturday, Mar 27th at 11:45am/et for 1 lap, positions 26-36
Happy Hour Practice: Saturday, Mar 27th, for one hour after the BGN race (time permitting around 5pm/et), TV-?