Steve Park: Q & A
Note:
This interview was conducted several days prior to Steve Park winning his 1st
ever Winston Cup race at Watkins Glen. Park becomes the 13th
different driver to win in the NASCAR 2000 season. CONGRATULATIONS to Steve and
the entire #1Pennzoil Chevy crew!
TB: You look like you’re having fun in your 3rd
year in Winston Cup. True?
SP: Oh yeah. It’s funny you ask that question
because I was telling some people recently that I’m having fun in Cup, but
also remember the days when racing in the Busch Series was a lot of fun without
as much pressure. In Busch, we raced hard, won races, and had a little more time
off for ourselves. I guess I miss it a little. Also in Busch, you did what you
loved, but had more spare time to hang out with friends and family and Winston
Cup has taken some of that freedom away, especially after adding two more races
to the schedule. My Mom always told me to be real careful what I wish for, I
might just get it!
TB: It doesn’t sound much like you’re complaining
though.
SP: No, definitely not. I’m not going to sit here
with you and complain too much about it. All I’ve ever wanted to do in my
whole life is to race in Winston Cup and now I’m here. It’s kind of an odd
lifestyle that you either have to be born into or grow into. There’s a lot of
responsibility on and off the track dealing with your hectic schedule and it
requires a lot of time and energy. I’m usually at the track 4 days per week
and only home for 3 days, with one or two of those days making appearances, so
you actually only have approximately one day for yourself. By the time I get the
lawn mowed and my dirty laundry done, it’s time to hit the road again.
TB: It sounds like a lifestyle that isn’t suited for
everyone.
SP: That’s right, it isn’t. It’s tough and anyone
looking to get into Winston Cup needs to be fully aware that you live out of a
motorhome traveling from city to city. I honestly don’t know how some of the
older drivers have done it so well for so many years other than a complete love
for the sport. For example, I recently had a weekend off and I ran in the Busch
Series in St. Louis, so I can’t get away from what I love to do, even on an
off day. I live in Charlotte and call that home, but probably spend more time in
my motorhome than my actual house.
(Laughs) I actually do have a house, I’m not homeless nor
live at a racetrack like many people think I do.
TB: Does your mindset change in any way once you get
to the racetrack?
SP: Yes it does. Once everything of the week is behind
me, I get to the track, get into the car and strap in, I’m by myself out there
doing exactly what I want to be doing, racing cars! All the other stuff you
endure because it goes along with the actual racing. In order to be a total
success you have to be able to juggle everything, but enjoy it at the same time,
you can’t get overwhelmed. I truly love what I do and I am having fun, but it
requires a lot of time.
TB: Is working for Dale Earnhardt a totally positive
thing or does it add unwanted pressure to perform even better considering
Earnhardt’s illustrious career?
SP: In my mind, it’s all positive. Considering I’m
just in my 3rd year of Winston Cup, we’re a young team and feel
lucky to be associated with people who’ve been around the sport a long time
and knows the ins and outs of Cup racing. Having a name like Earnhardt with us
gives us opportunities to acquire great people, facilities, and parts to be
successful. We know the right people are in place now and it’s just a matter
of time before we win. We started this 2000 season on a high note and have been
through a bit of a slump lately with mechanical failures and such, but we’re
hanging in there. We definitely look forward to the rest of the season and
honestly feel a win right around the corner.
TB: So, Dale Earnhardt is a good boss?
SP: Yep, he’s a great boss! He’s very
understanding and patient with us and he understands the highs and lows that
accompany any team in Cup better than anyone. Dale’s not just a guy with a ton
of money he wants to throw away. He knows it takes more than just dollars to be
competitive, it takes good people and smart people. We’re growing as a team,
Dale understands that, but we sure do want to reward him with a win this year.
TB: I saw where you described your season as a roller
coaster ride. Could you explain?
SP: In the earlier part of the season we were in a
position, maybe 2-3 times to capitalize and possibly win, but we had a few
mechanical problems that took us out of the competition and that’s very
frustrating for the entire Pennzoil team. We’ve qualified well and ran well in
the beginning of 2000, but still haven’t reached Victory Lane. Then other
times, we seem to have a great setup with the car, it stays together for the
entire race, but we still didn’t run well. We just want to stay in the
position to win, run in the top-5. Consistency is key when it comes to winning
races in any division. If you consistently qualify in the top-10, run in the
top-5, we feel we’ll get a win soon.
TB: Would you like to talk a bit about your sponsor,
Pennzoil?
SP: Glad you asked. Pennzoil has been so great to this
team even though we’ve yet to give them a ride into Victory Circle. Pennzoil
has never had a Cup race win before and we’re dying to be the first to give
them a win. They deserve it for sticking by us through thick and thin. It would
be their first win and mine. I can’t say enough good things about Pennzoil and
Dale and Teresa Earnhardt for their support.
TB: Does your team have plans to run any interesting
new paint schemes in 2000?
SP: None that we know of right now. We really don’t
plan that kind of stuff too far in advance, it usually just pops up and we do
it. We had the "Mission To Mars" paint scheme, which
turned out to be premature because they delayed the opening of the movie, so
that was pretty much a bummer.
TB: Is there something a little different about your
paint scheme this year?
SP: Yes, we added a little more yellow to the roof of
the car. I think our car looks great, it stands out with the contrast of the
yellow and black.
TB: I recently saw you and the late Kenny Irwin
socializing in Dover, would you like to say anything on the safety issues
swirling around NASCAR right now in light of the tragic deaths of Adam Petty and
your friend, Kenny?
SP: I think it’s good what NASCAR is doing trying to
address the safety issues considering what’s happened lately with track
deaths. I don’t know if it’s the exact right solution we need, but it’s a
step in the right direction. NASCAR is addressing the problem and it’s one of
the fastest fixes we have right now with kill switches and such. Those additions
won’t change the performance of a car and it won’t open up an area where a
team can put traction control or use it as a device for cheating. It may just be
a tragic coincidence what happened in New Hampshire with stuck accelerator’s
or whatever’s been going on causing fatalities, so yes, I think it’s a step
in the right direction. The deal with Kenny, man, just too sad, you know?
Again, CONGRATS to Steve Park, the Pennzoil Chevy team, and
Dale Earnhardt, Incorporated for a thrilling victory at Watkins Glen.