Terry Cook A Fast Qualifier at Darlington Raceway

(MOORESVILLE, N.C.) – When the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) holds its qualifying on Thursday at Darlington Raceway, look for driver Terry Cook in the No. 10 International Trucks and Engines Ford to be on top of the charts.  In the series three years of competition at the track deemed “Too Tough To Tame,” Cook has yet to start lower than eighth.  Cook has 78 career top-10 starts as he looks toward a fourth consecutive top-10 start at Darlington Raceway.

 “You have to be aggressive,” said Cook.  “Qualifying is all about giving it all she’s got for those two laps.  You have to have faith in your truck and your team in that they put a setup underneath that can stand that kind of speed.  Qualifying at Darlington in the trucks is a place you can flat out hold the throttle down through turns one and two and you lift a little in turns three and four.  The track has a lot of grip with fresh tires but you have one, maybe two laps to propel yourself through the corners like that so you need to get all you can get.  Fortunately, I’ve been able to do that in the past there in qualifying.”

 Cook’s qualifying this year has seen the nine-year series veteran start twice in the top 10, including his pole-winning effort at Daytona International Speedway.  The Sylvania, Ohio native has five-career wins, including a 2002 stronghold victory at Gateway International Raceway, a track with two distinctly different corners like Darlington Raceway.

“I don’t think you can compare Darlington to any other racetrack we compete on,” said Cook.  “From an aerial view, it may look like Gateway and some others tracks but it sure doesn’t drive anything like Darlington.  There’s enough banking in the corners that you can really get after it.  Gateway is a flat track so there’s not a lot of comparison between the two.  What can you say about Darlington; it’s ‘Too Tough To Tame.’

 “You have to respect the racetrack all night long.  Not only do you have to race the competition, you have to race the track.  You have to do everything you can to stay out of trouble. The minute you get overconfident or get a little too ‘racey,’ you’ll end up getting in the fence.”

 

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.