Rumors about Steve Park’s job security in DEI’s #1 Pennzoil Chevy were circulating even before the Cup race at Texas. But Ty Norris, vice president of motorsports at DEI isn’t ready for talk of change, saying the team needs to do better and that DEI is going to keep trying to do better. Norris said Park has been real dedicated, coming by the shop and talking to the crew. The communication is open and positive. Norris had no comment when it was mentioned that Shane Hmiel’s [#48 in the Busch Series] name has been tossed around as a possible replacement for Park.(paraphrased from the Winston Cup Scene – subscription required to read online)(4-4-2003) UPDATE: Driver Steve Park just shrugs his shoulders at the rumors over him being replaced in the Pennzoil Chevy by Busch Series regular Shane Hmiel. Park admits the performance of the team is not where they would like it to be and that’s what produces the rumors. Park said, “The Inquirer and all the trash newspapers that are out there sell, so I guess bad news sells better than good news.” Maybe we’ll do a story on how much money Steve Park donates to charity and all the work he does away from the racetrack to raise money for different charities ‘you never see anything like that’ all you see is that Steve Park is out of the Pennzoil car and so we’re fixin’ to prove them all wrong.” Since Shane’s father Steve is DEI’s Technical Director Park says it makes for a great story, but he’s staying in the racecar.( PRN’s Garage Pass )(4-11-2003)
