rpm.espn.com: Park, Wallace both deserve rides

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Monday, January 28
Park, Wallace both deserve rides
ESPN.com

We asked our users whether Park could bounce back in 2002 or if Wallace has finally found a home. Here are some of the comments:

DEI should keep Wallace in the car for 2002 and have Park return to the No. 1 car in 2003. Don't forget, it took Ricky Craven two full years to get back to 100 percent. I want Steve to come back and be able to win. He doesn't need to rush it.

Brent Phillips
Xenia, Ohio

I don't think there should be any doubt that the best decision is to keep Kenny on as a driver. Why anyone would want to disrupt something that is working as good as he and Paul Andrews is a question that I could never answer. If Steve can't be back in the car by the first ten races then he should be placed in another car for the remainder of 2002.

Robert Hockenberry
Beaver Springs, Pa.

Can Park bounce back? Yes, but I believe that it will be gradual not instant. He will have to work to overcome some lingering effects from his injuries. As far as Wallace is concerned, DEI should seriously consider keeping him around even after Park's return. He has shown that, given the right equipment, he is a force to be reckoned with. That kind of talent shouldn't be sent home.

Jennifer Lopes
New Bedford, Mass.

I'd like to see Steve Park back behind the wheel of the No. 1 car but I feel that Kenny Wallace should be rewarded for his ability to come in and do such a great job with a ride of his own with DEI. Maybe he should be driving the No. 15! Hmmm ...

Mark Beringer
Boothwyn, Pa.

Much like any other sport you can't replace an incumbent due to injury without some serious problems. As much as these two drive with the same style you have to lose some chemistry when replacing Park. After watching Steve drive here in N.E. for a while, I can tell you first hand this guy can drive the wheels off anything from a modified to a truck, and that's something natural that's tough to replace. All this without even mentioning that Steve has the best performances in the car, this tells me that they either keep Kenny in a fourth car or he uses this opportunity to find a ride for 2003.

David Hazel
Tolland, Conn.

Either Driver. Park is definitely a strong competitive driver, hopefully he will bounce back. However, I believe the scenario is good for putting Wallace in the Pennzoil car and bringing in another car for Steve if he isn't ready. Give Wallace the full year in one car, one team, and he will prove he's championship material. He's just plain good!

Greg Herzog
Jacksonville, Fla.

I think that Wallace or Park will eventually replace Waltrip in the No. 15 either sometime during the season or for 2003.

Brad Fox
Celina,Ohio

Steve Park will come back and take the No. 1 car to victory lane again. He just needs to be sure that it is safe for him to do. I'm glad that he is keeping his health his number one concern, and that both DEI and Pennzoil understand.

Steve Meeks
Lexington, Ky.

I think Steve will be back and be better than ever. He has smartly taken the time to recover completely and will be as dedicated and determined as he was before the accident to be the winning driver he was and to show what else he is capable of.

Anne Taylor
Martinsburg, W.V.

The No. 1 Pennzoil car is Steve's. There should be no questions as to who will be driving it.

Jeff Uftring
East Peoria, Ill.

I know how it must hurt Steve Park to sit out, but to race before he is ready would be foolish, even dangerous not only to himself but to others on the track. We pray he will come back 100 percent because he is a joy to watch and such a nice guy. Kenny Wallace is superb and such a nice guy I am hoping that when Steve Park comes back, DEI will find it in their hearts and their pocketbooks to keep Kenny Wallace on board -- because DEI has the best equipment and any one of their cars/drivers can win at any given race! Kenny Wallace is a winner. Steve Park is a winner! As are Junior and Michael!

Patty Holton
St. Paul Park, Minn.

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