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Friday, September 7
Wallace to replace Park indefinitely
Associated Press
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| |  | | | Wallace |
RICHMOND, Va. -- Steve Park, whose brain was bruised in an
accident at Darlington Raceway, now plans to wait four to six weeks
before getting back in his race car.
The decision, made by Park at the recommendation of Dr. Jerry
Petty, the neurological specialist treating him at Carolinas
Medical Center, means Kenny Wallace will drive the No. 1 Chevrolet
until Park returns.
"He's doing fine, it's just they need some time for the
recovery period," Ty Norris, executive vice president of
motorsports at Dale Earnhardt Inc., said of Park during a hastily
called news conference Friday. "Our primary focus is getting Steve
better and we want him to be healed before getting back in the car.
"Steve wants to race as soon as possible, but knows it's better
for him to be patient."
Wallace, who replaced Park in the car last weekend in the
Southern 500 and is driving it again this week, spoke to Park about
the situation on Sunday night after the Darlington race and Park
was "totally cool."
"I definitely don't want to be in this race car in this
situation," Wallace said. "But DEI is an incredible racing
organization, so I'm going to keep this car up front in car owner
points for Steve and when he gets back, he's not going to miss a
beat. This is still all about Steve Park.
"I've always had opportunities in my Winston Cup career, but
nothing never like this. This is what I call an up-front car. This
is big."
Norris said Park continues to have equilibrium issues and
trouble focusing, and spent three days out of touch with anyone
while resting.
Park was injured in an accident during a caution period on lap
20 of the Busch race last Saturday. Park's car was running at about
45 mph, behind the pace car on the backstretch, when it veered
suddenly to the left after exiting Turn 2.
Park's car cut in front of Larry Foyt, who was accelerating to
move up to the head of the line of lapped cars on the inside lane.
Foyt's car hit Park's just behind the driver's door, sending it
into the inside wall.
Park had to be cut out of the car and airlifted to the hospital.
DEI officials are still investigating what caused the crash.
Park was 10th in the Winston Cup points race at the time of the
accident.
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