Pikes Peak presents yet another chance for Parker

LONG POND, Pa. -- Another weekend, another race track, another race car.

Such is the life of Hank Parker Jr. these days. This weekend, he'll be with his fourth different race team of 2003, driving Evans Motorsports' No. 7 Chevrolet in the Trim Spa Dream Body 250 at Pikes Peak International Raceway.

	Hank Parker Jr.

It's a one-race deal in the car, but Parker should be used to that. His resume includes two Busch races for Brewco Motorsports, one Busch race with Chance 2 Motorsports and one Craftsman Truck race with Spears Motorsports.

"I'm somewhat used to it by now," Parker said. "That's pretty much how my season's gone. I've raced two races with Brewco this season at Rockingham and Darlington. I raced Dale (Earnhardt) Jr.'s car at Charlotte, and I've raced one of David Starr's trucks. It's not that hard to work with a new crew."

It comes down to desire, Parker Jr. said.

"As long as everyone has a common goal in mind, it's not that hard to work things out," Parker said. "Sure, everybody I've worked with before has done things a little differently, and I'm sure that won't be any different this weekend, but as long as we all want to win, we'll be OK. I'm real excited to have this opportunity, and now it's up to me to make the most of it."

Parker should have come confidence heading into this weekend's event in Fountain, Col. He's the defending champion of the race, winning last year for Jesel Motorsports.

"I really appreciate the guys from Evans Motorsports and Kleenex putting me in the car this week," Parker Jr. said. "It's a great opportunity for me to show everyone that I still have what it takes."

TrimSpa Dream Body 250  •  Entry List  •  Pikes Peak track page  •  Busch Series Drivers  •  2003 Race Results  •  Driver Standings

Last year, Parker was able to stretch his fuel mileage long enough to outlast the field and win the second Busch race of his career.

But he wants folks to remember that it was more than fuel mileage that won the race.

"Everyone said that I won a fuel-mileage race last year, and maybe it worked out like that, but we had car that could run up front," Parker Jr. said. "I drove into the top five from the middle of the pack. I gave up my spot to come into the pits for fuel. Our strategy worked out when everyone else had to pit later on, but we could have raced our way back up front if we had to.

"I know that I haven't forgotten how to drive and hopefully I can put on a repeat performance of last year."

Parker has been a bit of the odd man out in 2003, as his Busch Series team from last year had to scale back its operation. That left him searching for a full-time ride, a hunt that to this point has been futile.

Instead of a secure seat, Parker has had to bounce from ride to ride. That's no way to make a name for yourself, but that's the game he has to play.

He should be on his game this weekend, however. The No. 7 car has a lot of potential, and Parker has raced well at Pikes Peak before, finishing fourth there in 2000, in addition to his victory last year.

"Pikes Peak is one of the coolest places that we race at," Parker said. "I'm excited to be returning there.

"The hardest thing about the track is keeping your momentum going. The track is worn enough that you slide through the turns. You've got to get enough forward bite, but without being too tight through the middle of the corners. The altitude hurts the horsepower of the engine, so it's easy to lose time if you make a mistake. If you slide, or if you miss your marks, you're not going to have the horsepower to make up for it. You've got to keep your momentum up.

"It's an awesome place to race. I can't wait to go racing there. I've raced well there in the past. I picked up a win there last year and I want to show everyone that I'm still capable of doing that."