Martinsville Speedway Brings Terry Cook Back To Short-Track Roots in International Trucks and Engines Ford

(MOORESVILLE, N.C.) – Like many race car drivers, Terry Cook began his career on the short tracks near his hometown.  The Sylvania, Ohio native began winning heat races, then features and track championships at Flat Rock and Toledo Speedways.  Today, Cook finds himself as a veteran driver in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 10 International Trucks and Engines Ford.  He heads to Martinsville Speedway this week, a .526-mile short track, where he will not settle for another top-10 finish, rather, a return trip to Victory Lane.

“I certainly think we can win this weekend at Martinsville,” said Cook, who finished third back in May at Mansfield Motorsports Speedway, a .44-mile short track.  “If you don’t think you can win, you might as well not show up because all of us in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series go to the track thinking we’re going to end up in Victory Lane.  We truly believe the International Trucks and Engines race team can capture our first victory of the season right there at Martinsville.”

Cook knows how to drive Martinsville Speedway very well.  With eight previous starts, Cook has three top-10 starts and finishes, including a third-place finish in 2001.  However, Cook will face a newly-paved racing surface and will have to adapt quickly if he is to return to Victory Lane.  What does he feel are the key ingredients to winning this weekend?

“Track position, qualifying and getting the right setup under the truck will be very, very important at Martinsville this weekend,” said Cook.  “We don’t talk a lot about horsepower although you have to have a good engine.  It’s one hundred percent mechanical grip and chassis handling.  The guy that can do those two the best will be the guy in Victory Lane.  We’re going there with a freshly-paved racetrack and everyone I’ve talked to has said the track is extremely fast with a little bit different configuration.  They’ve got the concrete further in the straightaways so the transition into and off of the concrete is actually more in the straightaways rather than in the corners.”

Cook knows the bottom groove will be the place to be and starting on the pole could not be a better place for the nine-year series veteran.  He has started on the pole eight times in his career but never at Martinsville Speedway.  His last pole position came at Daytona International Speedway, the season-opening race.  With four races to go, it is about being first in practice, qualifying and the race.

“We’re excited to have the chance to redeem ourselves,” said Cook, who finished 22nd in the spring race.  “The setup underneath the International Trucks and Engines Ford is something we’ve never run at Martinsville Speedway before.  We’ll have to wait and see once we get some practice laps and a good qualifying run in but you’ll see bunch of teams go to Martinsville this weekend with a completely different setup from what they’ve had there in years past.”

 

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 entered its first season of competition in the 2004 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.  Now with the addition of the No. 14 VB / Aplus at Sunoco Ford Taurus with driver John Andretti in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, co-owners Greg Pollex and Keith Barnwell become only the second team to field fulltime entries in NASCAR’s top-three series.  For more information, please visit www.ppcracing.com.