Pg 1

September of 1997 was my second trip to Dover, DE for the fall races, both BGN and Winston Cup, but my first time ever in the garage. The company I work for had primary sponsorship on the BGN car of a promising young driver, and even though I seldom watched Busch races, I took the opportunity for a garage tour on the BGN side. We had fun looking at all of the cars, but unfortunately, we had arrived at the scheduled time for the mandatory driver's meeting. Randy LaJoie dodged us as we entered the garage area and we met with and toured the hauler of Matt Kenseth, but there were no other drivers to be found. As we were making our departure, a golf cart came along, bearing a handsome young gentleman in a Burger King driver's suit. I didn't know who he was, but he LOOKED like a driver, so I asked him to stop for a picture. He was congenial and stopped, although I didn't get to speak with him, just got the pic and he drove off, and as he was driving away, I heard someone say, "There's Steve Park". As soon as I heard the name, I knew that he was the driver of the AC Delco #3 Chevrolet owned by Theresa and Dale Earnhardt. He was in a Burger King suit because he was headed out to attempt to qualify #14 Burger King WC car. He wouldn't be successful at that attempt on that day, but we all know that he has enjoyed great success since then.

That afternoon I watched the race and started out cheering for our company sponsored driver, but was quickly surprised at the skill with which Steve moved through the field. I remember turning to a friend and saying, "For heaven's sake, he can drive that car too!!!" And a Steve fan was born.

Shortly after my return, I had RPM2Nite on the TV when I heard his name mentioned. I went to watch and found him to be well spoken and friendly. I decided to search the internet for information about his new cup ride and found Tracy Schlientz. Tracy had created a beautiful and extensive, though unofficial, website for Steve. That was the beginning of one of the dearest friendships I have ever known, and the source of a lot of fun too.

Since that time, Tracy has accompanied me to Dover for the fall races, I have traveled all over the East coast collecting pictures for her, I started watching a BGN race when time allows, and I have met Steve several more times. I even had the honor of bringing Steve and Tracy together face to face for the first time in Atlanta (March '99), and meeting his wonderful parents, Bob and Dottie Park.

Each time I have traveled to an appearance or watched him sign for fans at the track, I have been further impressed by his appreciation of the fans. I have a dozen more stories about Steve, like the time he came to my home town to speak for our local Elks' club father and son dinner, waving to him across the track while he was on crutches at Martinsville last year, the time he stayed after the appointed hour to sign for fans who'd been waiting for five hours to see him, listening to a fan tell me why Steve had replaced Davey Allison in his heart after a void of many years, but I'd need a whole website and I'll leave that to Tracy. I'm sure you've noticed that she's very good at that.

Another terrific thing happened on that momentous day in Atlanta, Tracy met the administrator of Steve's official site and he had obviously seen her work and been impressed with it. I said to her with a laugh as we left the garage, "Tra, I think we've just launched your Winston Cup career." If you have ever visited www.steve-park.com and read the byline on the race reports, you know that is exactly what happened.

That first day the garage at Dover came after watching the sport for two thirds of my young life, but was also the beginning of a fascinating journey for two blossoming "Racing Divas". And, you know what? I don't think we're done yet.

Also see the photos Sherry sent in 1997 which first brought us together!

I have been a Steve Park fan since his AC-Delco days through his attempts at qualifying the Burger King car up to now. I went to my first race last year *1998* in Michigan, it was Steve's 2nd race back since his accident. I missed my chance to meet him when he was coming out of the Pennzoil hospitality tent. My husband says Steve waved at me, I had a Pennzoil t-shirt and hat on, but I was trying to get to the tent to catch a glimpse of him and I wasn't paying attention to the car that was coming through that just so happened to have Steve in it. I wasn't very happy when I missed my chance. Needless to say, this year when I went to the Pepsi 400 in Michigan, I was on a mission: Meet Steve or die trying! I did what I set out to do!!! He was so nice to everyone that wanted an autograph, smiling and joking around. I was actually at a loss for words when he got to me. My friend had to ask him for me if he would mind getting his picture taken with me. Steve being as nice as he is, said sure. Let me just tell ya, this is something that will stay with me forever. You can't tell from the picture, but there's a fence between us. But you can tell from it that I had the biggest smile I've ever had on my face! I had to extreme pleasure of running into him 3 different times while I was there. The only thing I really wanted autographed was my "Steve Park" hat and the first 2 times I "bumped" into him I didn't have it with me. I thought I'd never get it signed until the morning of the Busch race. My husband and I went to the Pennzoil trailer so I could get a can coolie. Just by accident we saw a small sign that said Steve would be there at 10:30 to sign autographs. It was only 9:00 so we had about an hour to kill before we would stand in line. I couldn't believe the line that was there! Not only fans with Steve Park on but every driver you can imagine. It was great! When it was our turn I asked Steve to sign my new coolie, and even going further, I asked him to sign it "To Joey" and he was SO nice to do this. This also meant that I had to buy another one 'cuz I won't use this autographed one now. I even had my hat!! Now my Steve hat has both Steve and his boss, Dale Earnhardt on it. Steve really made my weekend, I'm still smiling! I just hope he doesn't think I'm crazy for yelling his name every time I saw him ;)
Thank you so much for letting me share my story with everyone.

Thank you, Steve Park, for making my boyfriend feel like a kid on Christmas morning this past weekend at Louden! My dad was able to get garage and hot pit passes for the last time because he will no longer be working for the former sponsor, Primestar. Admittedly, I never followed NASCAR, but I figured this would be my once in a lifetime opportunity to be where the action is. My boyfriend, John, on the other hand, is a NASCAR nut, not to mention a huge Steve Park fan! He was thrilled to be invited to the pits. Before we left for the race, John asked me if it was OK to wear his Steve Park shirt and hat since my dad was associated with a Roush car. I laughed and said it didn't matter because you can stand by whatever team you'd like, including Pennzoil! Needless to say, he wore them to the race. After arriving at the speedway, we packed our stuff, ready for a long walk. John had purchased two souvenir books and put them in his backpack. I said, "Why don't you carry them? Maybe you'll run into a driver, like Steve Park, for an autograph." He replied, "I won't be needing them for awhile." As we walked towards the infield, a white Jeep Cherokee suddenly stopped beside us. A man in a Pennzoil shirt who noticed John's shirt and hat asked, "Who's going to win today?" John answered, "Steve Park." Next, the rear window rolled down and a young man in sunglasses asked, "Who did you say was going to win?" It was Steve Park! John was so excited! So was I! He chatted a bit (while I pulled out the books I said should have been carried!), signed an autograph, and shook hands! John even pointed out to Steve that they were born on the same day (August 23)! There wasn't time for a picture because of traffic behind the Jeep. What an awesome way to start the day! John was sure glad he wore his Steve Park hat and shirt!

      I have been a die hard Steve Park fan since the beginning of his rookie year in the Busch series when I joined the fan club. I got a really exciting phone call one night it was Steve's mom Dotty Park, apparently when i filled out my fan club membership I forgot to include my shirt size and she was calling to get it from me at first I thought it was joke my friends were playing on me cuase it came right after Steve won Michigan and I had told them about this article I read where Dale Earnhardt first called Steve, and Steve thought it was a joke and hung up on him.
      I have been keeping a scrap book of his (Steve) it goes all the way back to the 1st race of Busch series it contains clippings and race info. of all his races in Nascar.
It is labeled " GREAT EXPECTATIONS "

GOOD LUCK STEVE FROM YOUR # 1 FAN

Dawn sent in a few pictures of Steve at the Pennzoil Motorsports Show. (make sure to take a look at the rest on that page) She wrote in:

I met Steve over the weekend at Ft. Washington. He's the greatest!!!! I'm one of those crazy kind of fans & I'm sure I drove him nuts but it didn't seem to bother him. He was so kind. I'm attaching some of the pics I took, please post them & mention that I'm a big fan.

Last September, we went to the WMUR show in Louden, NH, where I first met Steve. He seemed like a well groomed sort-of guy. Well, I got to ask him a question on live TV. My question was "What happened to your hand and will it be OK to race on Sunday?" because his wrist was in a brace. He told me that it was "a lot minor" than it looked. He had pulled a muscle on Friday night racing, even though he won. As you can see in the picture, I met him quite close, and he actually asked if we had the camera with us and if I wanted my picture taken with him. Now someone like Jeff Gordon wouldn't say that!

Then we got the chance to go again this July, and Steve was once again there. But first, they had my moms fave, Darrell Waltrip. After his segment of the show was done, he went to the middle of the tent to sign autographs. We were at the front of the tent, next to the middle aisle. So I got up to get his autograph. Then a little girl stepped up to him and asked him for a hug! So my mom said "Can you give a big girl a hug, too?" So she got her hug. Then Steve came on. I winked at him when he was looking my way, and then he waved back! So I got on TV once again with my good question "Are you disappointed that you couldn't make your comeback here?" When they ask someones question, the camera pans over your way and you stand. So after his segment was done, I got up and ran over to him, even though I already had his autograph. So I asked him to sign my shirt (the one with all the sigs) with "To Stacy." Then he said that he remembered me from last year! So, then I said "YOU DO?!" And then that same little girl that gave DW a hug came over to Steve and asked him for a hug. So then I said "Can I have a hug, too?" AND HE GAVE ME A HUG!! I just couldn't believe it! That will be the highlight of my life forever. I have never been so happy!

Well, I'm sure my brother would appreciate it if you could put a link to his site http://members.xoom.com/paradigm86/.