Terry Cook Earns Top-10 Finish in International Trucks and Engines Ford in Las Vegas

(LAS VEGAS) – Terry Cook once again showed his strength on the mile-and-a-half racetracks, this time at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  His ninth-place finish Saturday night in the No. 10 International Trucks and Engines Ford is his 70th-career top 10 in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.  Cook ran fast lap times late in the event after taking four fresh tires with 42 laps to go and restarting in 22nd.  The nine-year veteran driver hauled the mail to the checkered flag and afterward talked about his stellar run through the field.

“The International Trucks and Engines Ford was awesome,” said Cook.  “Tires were huge tonight.  We came in and did a track bar and an air pressure adjustment and then this truck turned into a rocket.  The key tonight was to be fast.  We just fought the balance of the truck and fortunately dodged a couple of bullets when people spun in front of us.  The last run we put fresh tires on and we thought we were going to be all right but on the restart I had to jump on the brakes to avoid hitting the 14 truck and lost a bunch of track time.  Had we not lost that track time we would have easily finished in the top five.  We’ll take a ninth-place finish and take the momentum to Fontana (Calif.) for the next race.”

Cook and the International Trucks and Engines Ford team focused on a race setup during the lone practice session on Saturday and started a disappointing 27th.  When the green flag flew, Cook began his trek toward the top as he cracked the top 10 on lap 33.  His first pit stop came 11 laps earlier, taking on four sticker tires and fuel, where the crew made several adjustments to provide Cook better grip in the corners.

Cook was as high as fourth on the lap-43 restart and held his position for the next 10 laps before slipping to 10th on lap 68.  When the third caution flag flew on lap 75, Cook took advantage and headed for pit road.  Crew chief Jamie Jones made the call to take on scuff tires to save their final fresh set for their final pit stop . . . and it paid off.

When Cook pitted for the final time on lap 102, the Sylvania, Ohio native knew he could go to the front, having to restart deep in the field.  Cook narrowly avoided disaster on the restart, jumping on the brakes to avoid hitting another competitor.  The lost time only fueled Cook to move toward the front as he picked off one competitor at a time.  Cook was 15th on lap 120 and returned to the top 10 with 15 laps to go.

In the end, Cook finished ninth, his third top-10 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in six starts and his seventh this year with ppc Racing and the No. 10 International Trucks and Engines Ford.

 
About International Truck and Engine Corp. . . .

International Truck and Engine Corporation is the operating company of Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV).  International Truck and Engine is a leading producer of mid-range diesel engines, medium trucks, heavy trucks, severe service vehicles, bus chassis and a provider of parts and service sold under the International® brand.  The company also is a private label designer and manufacturer of diesel engines for the pickup truck, van and SUV markets.  Additionally, through a joint venture with Ford Motor Company, the company will build medium commercial trucks and currently sells truck and diesel engine service parts.  A subsidiary, IC Corporation, produces integrated school buses.  International Truck and Engine has the broadest distribution network in the industry.  Financing for customers and dealers is provided through a wholly owned subsidiary of Navistar.  Additional information can be found on the company’s Web site at www.internationaldelivers.com.

 
About ppc Racing . . .

Based in Mooresville, N.C., ppc Racing enters its first season of competition in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with driver Terry Cook and the No. 10 Ford Power Stroke Diesel by International race team.  ppc Racing continues its competition in the NASCAR Busch Series, its fifth season, with driver Jason Keller in the No. 22 Miller High Life Ford Taurus.  With co-owners Greg Pollex and Keith Barnwell, ppc Racing earned the 2000 NASCAR Busch Series championship and has scored 27 wins and more than 150 top-five finishes as it enters the 2004 season.  For more information, please visit www.ppcracing.com.