"MOTOR PROBLEMS END A STRONG RUN FOR PARKER, JR."


MOORESVILLE, NC (August 3, 2004) With the starting order being set on drivers points because of qualifying being rained out, Parker, Jr. rolled off the grid 18th.  By the second lap, he had driven his #21 Z Max Toyota up eleven spots to 7th. 

Hank would stay around the top-10 until the first caution at lap 24.  Radioing the crew to let them know the Z Max Toyota was tight in the center off, as well as it felt like the right front was going flat, the Innovative Motorsports crew prepared for Hank to come down pit road.  Tire specialist, David Cropps, took two pounds of air out of the right side tires that would soon be put on Hank's Tundra.  While still under caution on the next lap, Hank brought his truck into the pits for four fresh tires and fuel. 

Restarting the race in 16th position on lap 27, Hank would work his way up to 13th by the next caution at lap 38.  When Hank's crew chief, Wesley Sherrill, radioed him under caution to ask if the changes helped, Hank replied, "It's still tight in the middle of one and two, but the changes helped.  It started out a little free, but it was tightening up and felt pretty good."

Restarting at lap 41, Hank would remain just outside of the top-10 until his Toyota power plant let go on lap 59. 

"The Z Max Toyota was a rocket this weekend, " Parker, Jr. said.  "That motor was as strong as any we've had this year.  We had a truck that would compete, but unfortunately, the motor let go between (turns) one and two."  He continued, "All the hard work that the team has been putting in to making our trucks better, really showed this weekend."

Hank and the No. 21 Toyota Tundra return to the track on August 6, 2004, at Indianapolis Raceway Park.  Live television coverage will be on Speed Channel, with radio coverage on the MRN Affiliates and XM Satellite Radio.