Park to test at Darlington/Wallace has another Cup ride lined up? UPDATE 4 park to return at Darlington: Steve Park will test twice this week at Darlington with hopes of being cleared to return to the #1 Pennzoil Chevy on March 17 at the same track in the Carolina Dodge Dealers 400. Though Park’s doctors were present during his three previous tests, Dale Earnhardt, Inc. has yet to receive formal clearance on Park’s behalf. Kenny Wallace remains under contract. Ty Norris, executive vice president of motorsports for DEI, says Wallace could compete in races after Park returns if the funding and cars become available and it makes sense for the other teams. Sources close to Wallace say he has been offered another Cup ride (not the #57) as soon as he can be released from his contract with DEI.(The Sporting News)(3-4-2002) UPDATE: Park tested at Darlington on Tuesday and crew chief Paul Andrews said if thing proceed well, Park could race at Darlington. On ESPN2’s RPM 2 Night, Kenny Wallace said is committed to DEI for now and will stay with DEI until Park is ok and would stand by in case Park has problems in a race.(3-6-2002) UPDATE 2: ESPN2’s RPM 2 Night reports that DEI will meet with Steve Park on Thursday to discuss plans – and that the testing at Darlington went well and that Park could be back in the #1 Pennzoil Chevy by Darlington.(3-7-2002) UPDATE 3: Officials from Dale Earnhardt, Inc., are expected to announce Friday at Atlanta Motor Speedway that driver Steve Park will make his return to the NASCAR Winston Cup Series March 15 [qualifying] at Darlington Raceway. Park plans to be at AMS Sunday for the MBNA America 500. According to a team source, he has satisfied all concerns his doctors or NASCAR might have regarding his return to the cockpit.(NASCAR.com)(3-8-2002) UPDATE 4: Injured NASCAR driver Steve Park will make his return to the Cup Series at Darlington next week. Ty Norris, vice president at Dale Earnhardt Inc., made the announcement Friday about Park’s return at Atlanta Motor Speedway, site of Sunday’s MBNA America 500. “We knew Darlington was the target date, but we never said it we didn’t want anyone to put any pressure on him,” Norris said. “Darlington was not chosen because it’s a good story or out of irony. It just happened that this rce fell in our time table for his comeback.” Park, who was not at Atlanta, was unavailable for comment. He successfully completed several private test sessions in the past few months under the watchful eye of NASCAR, including one at Lowe’s Motor Speedway with DEI teammates Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Michael Waltrip. Park also tested at Darlington last week. Norris said Kenny Wallace, who replaced Park in the #1 Pennzoil Chevy, might run selected races with the team during the remainder of the season.(ThatsRacin.com/AP)(3-8-2002)
