Park Update

[Elwood]

From Yahoo Sports :

Kenny Wallace to replace Park indefinitely

By HANK KURZ Jr.

AP Sports Writer

September 7, 2001

 

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- 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.

 

I hate to hear this, but at least he's being sensible.  Better to miss a few extra races now, then to go out when he's not really ready and get hurt worse and maybe hurt others in the process.