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NASCAR WCUP: Lucky Coin Can't Combat Turn Two As Steve Park Flips At Sears Poi nt

28 June 1999

Lucky Coin Can't Combat Turn Two As Steve Park Flips At Sears Point 

A few minutes before Sunday's Save-Mart/Kragen 350, #1 Pennzoil Monte Carlo
crewmember John Furino stooped down on the Sears Point Raceway surface and
scooped up a shiny copper penny.

"Hey it's head up so that means good luck today," said Furino. "Our luck is
turning."

Up to that point in the weekend, the Pennzoil team enjoyed very little luck.


Driver Steve Park spun in turn two on each of his qualifying laps on Friday
and Saturday and the team was starting the race in 39th position. That meant
the team was forced to pit on an island on the opposite side of the track
from the main pits.

It was going to be a difficult day as Park hoped to charge from the back of
the field in his first race on the twisty, narrow, California wine country
racetrack. 

"We have had a good car here this weekend and I've made only two mistakes,"
said Park. "Unfortunately, both have come on our two qualifying laps. We
were pretty good in final practice so maybe we can be better for the race."

He was better for the race. In the first 20 laps Park had gained a few
positions through some on-track passes as well as quick pit work. But no
lucky coin was going to change what happened next.

Going into turn 2 on lap 24, the rear end of Park's Pennzoil car slid wide
sending the second-year driver hurtling into the tire barrier where he
flipped ultimately landing on top of the tires. Park climbed from the car
unhurt, but the new roadcourse car the team stayed up late each night this
week building was destroyed. 

"I don't know what happened," Park said. "That was some wild ride. I'm a
little stiff and sore, but I'm OK. I don't think I really like this place."

Jeff Gordon narrowly edge Mark Martin by .19 seconds to win his fourth race
of 1999

Park's day ended in the tire barrier and he was credited with a 42nd place
finish. The team returns to action on Thursday when qualifying begins for
Saturday night's 400 mile race at Daytona.

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