Post by labontefanboy on Mar 22, 2014 12:27:58 GMT -5
Steve Park to attempt comeback with BDR
Once hailed as a rising star and the next big thing, Steve Park's reputation has taken a serious hit in the past 5-6 years. Park's promising career that began with the 1997 Busch Series Rookie of the Year Award, but a series of highly unfortunate events coupled with awful luck began in 1998. A vicious practice crash early in 1998 at Atlanta Motor Speedway knocked Park out of number of events, as he suffered a broken leg, collarbone, shoulder blade, and two chipped teeth. He returned later that season and went on to win 2 races, at Watkins Glen in 2000 and an emotional victory at Rockingham of 2001, one week after car owner Dale Earnhardt's fatal crash in the Daytona 500. Just a couple races later, however, Park was critically injured in a Busch Series crash at Darlington, where he suffered massive brain injuries. He returned early in 2002, but numerous crashes caused him to bounce around between multiple teams over the next 3 years, eventually falling out of relevance around 2006. However, with the support of Toyota, Caterpillar, and Bill Davis Racing, Park will attempt a full comeback in 2008, driving the #22 CAT Toyota for the full season, replacing Aric Almirola. "I can't express in words the gratitude I have for Bill and Gail for giving me a chance," said Park. "My career had looked like it was over, and suddenly this phone call has given me a chance to start over. I'm beyond happy to be back in the Cup Series next year and I look forward to starting to work with my future team members later this season." (ESPN.com) (5/30/07)
Once hailed as a rising star and the next big thing, Steve Park's reputation has taken a serious hit in the past 5-6 years. Park's promising career that began with the 1997 Busch Series Rookie of the Year Award, but a series of highly unfortunate events coupled with awful luck began in 1998. A vicious practice crash early in 1998 at Atlanta Motor Speedway knocked Park out of number of events, as he suffered a broken leg, collarbone, shoulder blade, and two chipped teeth. He returned later that season and went on to win 2 races, at Watkins Glen in 2000 and an emotional victory at Rockingham of 2001, one week after car owner Dale Earnhardt's fatal crash in the Daytona 500. Just a couple races later, however, Park was critically injured in a Busch Series crash at Darlington, where he suffered massive brain injuries. He returned early in 2002, but numerous crashes caused him to bounce around between multiple teams over the next 3 years, eventually falling out of relevance around 2006. However, with the support of Toyota, Caterpillar, and Bill Davis Racing, Park will attempt a full comeback in 2008, driving the #22 CAT Toyota for the full season, replacing Aric Almirola. "I can't express in words the gratitude I have for Bill and Gail for giving me a chance," said Park. "My career had looked like it was over, and suddenly this phone call has given me a chance to start over. I'm beyond happy to be back in the Cup Series next year and I look forward to starting to work with my future team members later this season." (ESPN.com) (5/30/07)
