Terry Cook Shows Competitive Edge at Martinsville Speedway in International Trucks and Engines Ford

(MARTINSVILLE, Va.) – Terry Cook showed his competitive edge in the No. 10 International Trucks and Engines Ford at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday.  The nine-year series veteran driver held a top-10 position in the Kroger 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event after using pit strategy from an early spin on lap eight.  Cook was running seventh with 15 laps to go when he was turned on the backstretch by another competitor.  Cook was able to recover and cross the checkered flag in 13th position.

“Today, unfortunately, we just flat out got dumped on the backstretch with less than 15 laps to go,” said Cook.  “We had to come in and change right-side tires and didn’t get a chance to change lefts because we were now so far back in the field.  We just couldn’t come back through the field to be where we wanted to be.  Had we not got wrecked there, we would have had another top-10 finish.”

Cook began the event 17th after qualifying was canceled due to inclement weather on Friday.  Cook knew he had a strong truck after posting the second-fastest lap in final practice, however, an early spin on lap eight forced Cook down pit road for service.  The ppc Racing pit crew changed left-side tires, then the rights to give Cook a chance at charging through the field.

Caution flags were numerous as Cook made what was supposed to be his final pit stop on lap 54 for tires and fuel.  Crew Chief Jamie Jones once again used pit strategy in the event as Cook moved into the top 20 by lap 70, then the top 10 by lap 112.

Cook never relinquished his top-10 position until lap 185 when another competitor tapped Cook in the left-rear sending the Sylvania, Ohio native spinning down the backstretch.  The incident forced Cook to pit road for tires and repairs.

“The first spin didn’t hurt us,” said Cook, who crossed the checkered flag in 13th position. “We were going to put ourselves in the top 10 but to get wrecked there at the end is very disappointing.  If there is any bright spot that came out of this weekend, we were competitive all weekend long with the two practice sessions.”

 

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.