Blk3GM's Winston Cup News

Steve Park: "Charlotte Week is Like going to Daytona
May 26, 1999
Charlotte Marks Beginning of Park's Second Full Season in Winston Cup
Pardon Steve Park if he wants a little seafood this week or if he talks about taking his Harley Davidson for a spin along the beach. He might think he's in Daytona. That's because Park, his new crew chief Paul Andrews, and his Pennzoil Monte Carlo teammates are looking at this week in Charlotte as their Daytona 500.

Not only will Charlotte mark the first points race the new driver-crew chief combination work together, but it also marks the 34th start of Park's Winston Cup career. For most drivers their 34th race would come at the season-opening race at Daytona in February. Instead, Park's accident at Atlanta last year knocked him out of action for 15 races making this week the start of the second season.

Park on Charlotte Like Daytona:

"Heck yes Charlotte week is like going to Daytona for us. This is the start of a new season. It's my 34th race, it's the first time with my new crew chief Paul Andrews, and it's the start of better things to come. I'm even going to have a new Pennzoil helmet. And, it means I'm not a rookie any more. The season is just starting for me."

Park on Beginning of Second Full Season:

"Remember when Darrell Waltrip filled in for me last year? He kept saying the secret to success in racing is experience or 'Sperience' as Darrell likes to pronounce it. I know what he means now. When I came into Winston Cup everyone talked about two words -- chemistry and experience. I knew they were important ingredients, but I didn't have a clue just how really important they are. Frankly, both have been hard to come by so far in my career. But I think the Pennzoil team has turned the corner. I think with time Paul and I can develop the kind of chemistry that has made his drivers winners in the past. Slowly but surely I'm starting to get that experience. It's all going to jell here."

Paul Andrews On Experience:

"Experience is everything in this sport and you can never have too much of it no matter who you are. Experience in these cars means learning to run with all the horsepower we have, learning the setups, tires and so on. It's a whole wide spectrum of skills. I don't think there is anyway you can learn those skills without getting in a Winston Cup car and doing it over and over. That's why it takes a while for these Busch and truck guys to get experience they need to do well in Winston Cup."

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