Park, Earnhardt's original driver, fired from DEI

Elwood · May 6, 2003

By JENNA FRYER, AP Sports Writer

May 6, 2003

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Steve Park was fired Tuesday by Dale Earnhardt Inc., ending the tenure of the first full-time Winston Cup driver hired by the late Earnhardt.

``Steve was instrumental in DEI's first NASCAR Winston Cup program,'' said Earnhardt's widow, Teresa. ``Our loyalty to each other was hard to overcome. However, the time came where we simply had to make a change.''

The team hired Jeff Green on an interim basis. He was fired Monday by Richard Childress Racing. Green drove a Busch Series car for Earnhardt in 1995, the first year Earnhardt stopped driving it himself.

``We feel Jeff can bring a fresh perspective to this team,'' Teresa Earnhardt said. ``He's worked with our teams in the past and knows that we're dedicated to winning.''

Park has had a tumultuous two years since Earnhardt's 2001 death. Six months after Earnhardt was killed in a wreck during the Daytona 500, Park was seriously injured in an accident at Darlington.

Park bruised his brain and was sidelined seven months. After he returned to the No. 1 Chevrolet in March 2002, he struggled through poor performances while ignoring speculation he wasn't healthy enough to be back in the car.

DEI gave him a one-year contract extension to take him through this season, but there was speculation he wouldn't make it to the end of the deal. After winning the pole two weeks ago at California Speedway, Park blasted his critics.

``Amid all the media rumors about me losing my job ... our contract's up at the end of the year,'' he said. ``I guarantee you I plan being in that car until the end of the year.''

But he wrecked on the first lap and finished 41st. He also wrecked out of Saturday night's race in Richmond and is 33rd in the standings with just one top-10 finish.

Earnhardt put Park in the first Winston Cup car he ever fielded in 1998. He eventually expanded to a three-car operation, hiring son Dale Jr., and Michael Waltrip, and made DEI one of the top teams in NASCAR.

When he hired Park, a relatively unknown driver from NASCAR's modified series, Earnhardt bragged that his new protege would win a race before his 15th start in the Busch Series.

Park did, leading the final 71 laps at Nashville Speedway and winning in only his 12th start.

The victory was the first for DEI in more than three years -- dating to when Earnhardt drove the car himself.

Park was the 1997 Busch Series Rookie of the Year for Earnhardt, then made his Winston Cup debut the next season. He ran just 17 events, though, because he was badly injured in a crash.

But he came back to give Earnhardt his first win as a Winston Cup car owner with a victory at Watkins Glenn, N.Y., in 2000.

Park's only other victory came in 2001 at North Carolina Speedway -- a week after Earnhardt's death.

Elwood · May 6, 2003

I hate to see Park lose his job, I kinda liked him, but I can see why they did it. BUT I hate the replecement!!!!!!! That part really sucks. I'd rather see Kerry get a shot than see Green driving for DEI.

Kansas Kid · May 6, 2003

I always figured that DEI's management had went steadily downhill since Dales death, and this really confirms it. Why in the #### they fired Park to replace him with Green is beyond me, even if it is just for one race. Guess this means I won't be buying any DEI merchandise anymore, since Park was my favorite driver.

antig24 · May 7, 2003

I saw this coming, I hope that park still gets to run jr's chance 2 bgn car.

SilveradoWV · May 7, 2003

I didnt like Park at all, he was the worst IMO at DEI at least thats the way it seems. I honestly think that wreck really hurt him and had an effect he would never be able to overcome therefore hurting his performance week in and week out! The replacement (Green) is probably worse and I do not care for him, but I do like DEI so if he can consistantly finish in the top 15 and win races I will have to live with him being at DEI. Wonder if park will go to RCR?

gave20 · May 7, 2003

Here's an idea for DEI, make a trade with the 23 team, give them Greene and let Wallace drive the #1 car. He was the only one who could do anythign with it, except for DW he drove good the few times he was in the cockpit.

SilveradoWV · May 7, 2003

There is a solution I agree with, put DW in there and give him a shot!

JonesNTN · May 7, 2003

Park should have been gone last year. I honestly believe his poor reflexes are what causes all of his bad luck. I personally would like to see Kurt Busch or Ryan Newman come over to Team Chevy! DEI needs someone a liitle more like Jr., a little less talk and alot more action. So does RCR BTW.

Elwood · May 7, 2003

I would love to see Kenny get in the car. That's the first person I thought of for RCr too, but he's finally got a deal with some decent length to it in Cup with another team.

As for Newman, I love him, but I like him where he is, since Penske South is one of my 2 favorite teams (DEI the other).

I would personally like to see Jamie McMurray run the #1 car if Kenny Wallace can't. Or a young driver who needs a shot, let him have the rest of the year to get some experience and a chance to impress people. I think RCR and DEI should both do this.

I didnt like Park at all, he was the worst IMO at DEI at least thats the way it seems.

He only has one win less than Waltrip does. I tend to think he is the least talented of the three, HOWEVER it's not as big of a gap as it's made out to be if you look at the stats.

General Lee 01 · May 7, 2003

I think Park never has fully recovered from his wreck.

His speech is still slower than what it was before the wreck.

The only person I blame for Park's lack of performance, is his doctor who cleared him to race last year.

With that said.....

Since Park has came back, he has 0 wins, 1 or 2 top-5s, and 10(or more) DNFs.

I want to see him be successful again just as much as Kyle does. But you can't hide from the truth, and that is, he just wasn't doing good enough.

SilveradoWV · May 7, 2003

His speech is still slower than what it was before the wreck.

I have also noticed this, and agree with the rest of your post!

Elwood · May 7, 2003

But you can't hide from the truth, and that is, he just wasn't doing good enough.

I agree with that, and I fully understand why they fired him. I probably would have too, but I wouldn't have replaced him with Green, even temporaily. Take the opportuniy to put a new face in the car at least for the rest of the year, maybe they'll find a really good young driver that way.

Shadowfax · May 7, 2003

Well now its been released, Park is the top canidate for the #30 car for RCR. Reports are saying the deal is all but done. Kinda weird too.

At the end of the 96 Season Green left DEI when he was driving Dale's BGN car, the driver to replace him was Steve Park. Flash forward to now, and Jeff Green is once more at DEI in Parks ride while it appears now that Park is going to end up in Jeff Greens ride...

BTW before his accident, Park was looking more and more like the better of the 3 DEI drivers. His win at the Glen in 2000 carried a momentum over into 2001 where he was consistently running in the top 10 and he was most defintely the better of the DEI drivers until he got hurt. Before he was injured he had the talent and the skill, afterwards though its questionable.. I still root for him though, have since the Busch days. I don't give up on my drivers, never gave up on Neil Bonnett, ain't gonna give up on Park.

Guess that means I have to buy AOL gear now....