Good job Steve Park

Kansas Kid · July 8, 2002

Its about time Steve stepped up to the plate and let Ty Norris and Dale Jr know what he thinks of them publicly calling him out, what seems like every week since his return. I know for a fact that Steve doesn't deserve to be treated like a second rate driver, and after this interview it is apparent that Norris and Jr think of him in that way. I think it is about time for him to move on and get back to kicking butt, only with a different team.....

SilveradoWV · July 8, 2002

only with a different team.....

I am all for that, the one part in the article where he talks about cars falling apart and engines blowin, he acts like thats DEI's fault??? When the other 2 DEI teams arent having their cars fall apart and engines blowin I would say it is Driver or Team related! I dont care much for Steve anyway so I would like to see him gone! And if he gets in another ride and does good thats great, but at least he wouldnt be bringing up the rear like he is now! I am not saying Dale Jr and Michael are great and have no problems, becasue Jr has been crashing and everything lately. But a part of being a good Driver/Team is being able to cope with changes, and Steve is still cryin about they changed the tires and everything! Michael has definately improved lately and Dale Jr always has a good car before he has bad luck, but it seems like whenever Steve has his bad luck the car wasnt that good anyway!!

Elwood · July 9, 2002

I like Park, but that interview sounded to me like he's doing alot of whining. The rumors were about him and waltrip both, and Waltrip shut them up when they started. If Park wants them shut up he needs to do like Waltrip did and perform better. Sounds to me like hes gone already in his eyes, so why doesn't he just go ahead a go.

I heard Hornish Jr. from IRL could be in that car next year. That would give DEI three teams still, a ROTY canidate, and the team they'll be giving tech support to for Innovative Motorsports and Kenny Wallace.

Kansas Kid · July 10, 2002

Just so you guys know why this interview was even conducted, I will fill you in. In the pre-race press conferences before the Pocono race, Dale Jr reminded the media that Parks job was on the line and he was going to have to perform better. Then on Wednesday during the off-week, Teresa Earnhardt held a meeting with everyone at DEI. They were all specifically told that there was to be no more talk of drivers futures to the media, and the included Dale Jr and Ty Norris. At some point during the activities at Daytona, Dale Jr told the media that he wanted Sam Hornish in the 1 car because Park was not performing. But the problem was that Hornish had another year left on his contract.

Now can anybody here say they wouldn't have been just a bit pissed off, if they were in Park's situation? People continue to talk about stuff, after being specifically told not to and then you find out why you were offered a one year contract (so they can get the driver they actually want)? In that situation, everything he said is justified in my opinion.

The whole 1 team has problems, which neither the 8 or 15 have encountered. Mainly personnel changes during the off-season and of course the driver change. Expecting a team with that much change to perform like the 15 has over the last 10 races, is just plain stupid. Heck, even the 8 team has been just plain horrible since Talladega. And if you watch the race, it was often because the cars didn't handle. So it isn't just the 1 team having problems.....

Elwood · July 10, 2002

No it is not just the #1 team having problems. But it is the #1 team that is finishing the worst of the two teams, so if a change is to be made it should be that one. And the other two teams aren't crying about changing tires, etc. they're dealing with the problems and getting on with it.

Now that I've said that, let me say this..... I like Park, and I would've liked to see him stay with DEI (until this interview). I will still like him no matter what car he runs, just maybe not as much. But from everything he has said I think it would be best for him and everyone else involved if he would just move on.

SilveradoWV · July 10, 2002

Dale Jr reminded the media that Parks job was on the line and he was going to have to perform better

It all goes back to what you said about performing better! I think I remember the same thing about performing better was told to Waltrip ealier also, and therefore they have been performing a lot better! I dont care much for park, but It is a TEAM, and if he can run in the front then he has every right to stay at DEI but as of yet he still cannot perform!