Related Story Park to return to BGN in 2000

(Rockingham, N.C.) - Whelen Engineering, Ted Marsh Racing and Steve Park - three of the Northeast's most prominent names in NASCAR - announced today (10-23-99) they will join forces in the Busch Grand National Series for the Miami race this year and a limited schedule in 2000.

Park, the second-year driver of Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s #1 Pennzoil Monte Carlo, will make his first appearance in a Busch car since the 1997 season when he won the three races, the rookie award, and finished third in the season point standings driving for DEI.

"Sure I'm excited about getting back in a Busch car. My last Busch race was in Homestead in 1997 so it's been a while. A lot of people are going to ask me about Marsh Racing because they aren't as well known down here as they are up in the Northeast. They've done a lot of good things in the Busch North Series and modifieds and they even ran well in a few Busch South races with Ted Christopher this year," said Park.

"A lot of those guys with Ted Marsh worked in the Navy on submarines so you are talking about a bunch of pretty smart guys. If they can get a sub to run surely they can get our Whelen car running like it should."

Marsh Racing has fielded winning cars in NASCAR's Busch North and Featherlite Modified series and won championships at tracks throughout the Northeast. The Connecticut based team has fielded cars for Ted Christopher in the Busch North Series in 1999 and selected Busch South races.

"We think the world of Steve Park," said Ted Marsh. "He is like we are. He started in the short tracks of the Northeast and has slowly worked his way up to where he wants to be. I think it's realistic to expect us to have some pretty good runs and maybe even threaten for a victory or two."

Whelen Engineering has provided innovative emergency lighting and siren products in the automotive, aviation, industrial, civil defense and traffic management markets. The Chester, Conn. Company and its employees have sponsored Christopher and Geoffrey Bodine's racing efforts in recent years.

"Both Ted Marsh and Steve Park embody the traits we at Whelen like to associate ourselves with," said Phil Kurze, motorsports manager for Whelen. "Both know the value of honesty, integrity and hard work plus they are both a lot of fun to be around and enjoy life. Our goals are to win and have fun."

Steve Park Quotes

Return To The Busch Series:

"Sure I'm excited about getting back in a Busch car. My last Busch race was in Homestead in 1997 so it's been a while. A lot of people are going to ask me about Marsh Racing because they aren't as well known down here as they are up in the Northeast. They've done a lot of good things in the Busch North Series and modifieds and they even ran well in a few Busch South races this year. A lot of those guys with Ted Marsh worked in the Navy on submarines so you are talking about a bunch of pretty smart guys. If they can get a sub to run surely they can get our Whelen car running like it should.

Winston Cup Drivers In Busch Competition:

"I know there is an awful lot of talk about Winston Cup drivers going to the Busch Series. There is pro and con to that argument. When I was a Busch regular I liked it when the Winston Cup guys would come and race. I had a cool battle with Jimmy Spencer at Bristol one night where I learned a lot and then we had one at Talladega with Mark Martin where Earnhardt was in my ear talking me through each lap. I had Mark on my nose and Dale in my ear. Those are two learning experiences I will never forget."

Reasons For Running Busch Races:

Our goal is to win races. But, there are also benefits to running Busch races in addition to winning races. You get more track time. On any given weekend we run a Busch race this should increase my time on the racetrack almost twice as much. Plus, if you do well in a Busch car it can give you confidence you can take back to the Winston Cup garage. Some may say you risk something and that's true but racing is all about overcoming the risk. I'm not worried about anything like that. The only thing that concerns me is those one-lap qualifying sessions where you have to beat more than 60 cars. That is tough. But I think we will have something for them. This should be a lot of fun.

Whelen As A Sponsor:

"Everyone will ask who is Whelen. Well they are a Connecticut company that has sponsored Northeastern drivers like Geoffrey Bodine and Ted Christopher. They make the emergency warning light for police and fire trucks and a whole lot more. I've tried to convince them to get me a lightbar for my Harley Davidson. That would be cool to have a Harley with a lightbar. I think I'm going to have to win a few races for them before something like that happens."

1999

Second-place finishes in Busch Grand National North races at the Twin 100s at New Hampshire International Speedway in September, Frontier 150 at Watkins Glen International in August, and the Pennzoil 100 at NHIS in September. Raced in three Busch South races.

1998

Busch Grand National North victory at the Country Music Television 100 at NHIS in September.

1997-96

Busch Grand National North victories at Dodge Dealers 200K Lime Rock Park in October and the Country Music Television 100, at NHIS in August, Burnham Boilers 150 at Watkins Glen in August. In 1996 earned Busch Grand National North victory at Pennzoil 125, NHIS in September.

1999 Whelen Marsh Racing Fact Sheet

Sponsor Whelen
Driver Steve Park
Owner Marsh Racing
Crew Chief Ted Marsh
Team Manager Brad Wheeler

Race Shop
Marsh Racing
81 Mile Creek Road
Old Lyme, CT 06371
(860) 434-3712

Media Relations & Park Appearances Drew Brown
1675 Coddle Creek Highway
Mooresville, NC 28115
(704) 662-8000 Ext. 206

Whelen Motorsports
Motorsports Director Phil Kurze
Route 145 Winthrop Rd.
Chester, CT 06412
(860) 526-9504 - phone
(860) 526-4784 - fax
[email protected]
www.whelen.com