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Steve's Pre-Race Notes and Quotes - Memphis
Source: Orleans Racing
Kimberly Meesters
Date: 06/15/2004
LAS VEGAS, Tuesday, June 15, 2004 – The following pre-race notes, quotes and statistics are for Steve Park, driver of the No. 62 Orleans Dodge in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, prior to the O’Reilly 200 at Memphis Motorsports Park June 19.
PRE-RACE NOTES:
Charlie Wilson has been named crew chief of the No. 62 Orleans Dodge. Wilson served as the interim crew chief at Charlotte, Dover and Texas before being promoted to the position on a permanent basis June 15. He previously served as crew chief for Orleans Racing’s NASCAR Grand National West Series Dodge driven by Scott Lynch. Wilson, of Bakersfield, Calif., led the West team to a championship in 2003. That same year, he served as crew chief for Lynch’s only Craftsman Truck Series starts, Las Vegas and Homestead. Lynch finished 12th in both events. The team has not named a replacement for Wilson on the West team.
Danny Stockman, the front tire carrier, has been promoted to truck chief. Gary Brannon, jackman for Scott Lynch’s NASCAR West Series team, will serve as the jackman at Memphis. The team is searching for a full-time jackman. Craig Nemes has moved to catch can.
Park will sign autographs June 19 from 10-11 a.m. at the Dodge merchandise trailer trackside.
This will be Park’s first start at Memphis Motorsports Park. This will be the third start for Orleans Racing at Memphis and the 65th Craftsman Truck Series start for the team.
Park is 16th in points after seven races. He finished 27th in Daytona, 12th in Atlanta, 26th in Martinsville, 27th in Mansfield, 12th in Charlotte, 13th in Dover and 10th at Texas.
Park led 17 laps at Dover, the first laps led for Orleans Racing this season. He finished 10th at Texas to post the first top-10 finish for the team this year.
Team’s Memphis Results
Year/Race
Series
Driver
Start
Finish
Status
June, 2003
NCTS
Brendan Gaughan
11
8
Running
June, 2002
NCTS
Brendan Gaughan
11
13
Running
Park’s Memphis Results
Steve Park has no starts at Memphis Motorsports Park
PRE-RACE QUOTES FROM STEVE PARK: “I’ve never raced at Memphis Motorsports Park. I can’t comment on the track from experience, but I have heard good things about it. I’ve heard it is a good facility, so I am looking forward to the race. I have spent some time in the city of Memphis. I’ve been to the Peabody, which is the landmark hotel for Memphis. I watched the ducks walk through the lobby. I enjoy Elvis, and I am a big R&B fan. There is a lot of tradition in Memphis. I am driving my coach there, so I may get to town a little early and do the tourist scene and check out Graceland.”
PRE-RACE QUOTES FROM CHARLIE WILSON: (About being promoted to crew chief) “I am very happy that the team even considered me for the position. I’m very excited about going on the road with our Craftsman Truck Series team. When I joined Orleans Racing, I made it a goal to become the crew chief of the second truck that Scott Lynch drove. Now I’m very excited to have the opportunity to work with Steve Park. I still have a special interest in the West team and Scott Lynch, but it is not physically possible for me to crew chief both teams. We are looking hire a full-time crew chief for the West team. I’ll still help them as much as I can. My main goal is to get Steve Park back to victory lane, for Steve and for the team. We have spent a lot of time this season focusing on personnel issues. We are ready to put our focus back on the race trucks, and to get back to the winning ways of last year.”
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