Terry Cook Finishes 12th at Darlington Raceway

(DARLINGTON, S.C.) – Terry Cook finished 12th in Saturday night’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event at Darlington Raceway.  Cook, driver of the No. 10 International Trucks and Engines Ford, started 23rd and slowly worked his way up into the top 15 with outstanding pit stops by the ppc Racing crew.  On the final restart, Cook avoided disaster when another competitor spun at the front of the pack.  Cook grabbed a gear and crossed the start/finish line in 12th in the second-to-last event on the 2004 schedule.

“The lapped traffic tonight was just brutal,” said Cook.  “The groove is so narrow here at Darlington that the lapped trucks have to realize if it’s not their day, they need to give.  Nevertheless, we brought the International Trucks and Engines Ford with a decent finish.  We were just way too tight all race long so we kept freeing it up every pit stop and it kept getting better.  This is a really good finish for the International Trucks and Engines team.”

Cook made his first pit stop on lap 30 under the caution flag to make several adjustments as cool temperatures set in over the Darlington, S.C. area.  Cook returned to pit road six laps later for four tires and fuel, where the ppc Racing pit crew clocked off a 16.2-sec. pit stop to gain five positions on pit road.

Cook moved into the top 20 after making his third pit stop and second for fresh tires on lap 62.  Another 16-sec. pit stop gained more positions on pit road with Cook restarting 18th.

The Sylvania, Ohio native maintained his top-20 position on the track and continued to radio to Crew Chief, Wes Ward the handling of the truck under the green.

Ward made the call to pit for the final time on lap 93 for four fresh tires and the necessary adjustments to improve his position.  The pit stop put the No. 10 International Trucks and Engines Ford in 14th, picking up three positions on pit road.

Then, on the final restart, one truck spun on the fronstretch, spinning just in front of Cook while running 14th.  Cook grabbed a gear and raced to the start/finish line in 12th.

“I like racing here,” said Cook on Darlington Raceway.  “I like racing at any racetrack that is different than the norm.  Whether it’s Flemington, Nazareth, Gateway, Darlington or just a road course, I just like tracks that are different.  I know Darlington is off the schedule for next year but I hope it comes back in 2006.”

Cook and the ppc Racing team will head to Homestead-Miami Speedway Friday afternoon for the season finale Ford 200.  Cook, who has three top-10 finishes in his last four starts at the 1.5-mile Florida track, looks to end the 2004 season on a high note with another top-10 finish . . . and possibly win No.1 in his inaugural season with ppc Racing.

 

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.