Steve Park: Line-X Bedliners 200 preview

BROOKYLN, Mich. -- For Dodge Motorsports, Saturday's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race in Michigan is as close to a "home game" as the NASCAR circuit allows. Michigan Int'l Speedway practically sits in the auto manufacturer's backyard -- less than two hours away from DaimlerChrysler Headquarters -- and the two-mile oval has given Dodge Rams the allure of a home-field advantage in recent years.

Dodges have scored all three NCTS pole positions in the track's four year history (no race was scheduled in 2001, and qualifying was not held in 2002). From Stacy Compton's top effort in 1999, to Jamie McMurray's in 2000, to Jason Leffler's record-breaking qualifying run last year, Dodge Rams are familiar with starting Michigan races up front.

But, they're no strangers to finishing the race in that position too. The past two races at M.I.S. were paced by the winning Dodge Rams of Brendan Gaughan and Robert Pressley, respectively.

Steve Park, who has taken Brendan Gaughan's place driving the No. 62 Orleans Racing Dodge Ram, hopes to share in the same success as Gaughan, the winner of last year's race.

"I like Michigan," Park said. "We had a really good run there last year with RCR in the NEXTEL Cup car. It is a fast racetrack. It is really wide and is good for passing. It usually produces a good three-wide race for the fans. This is one of those racetracks that I've competed on in cars but never trucks, so I'm looking forward to seeing how the Craftsman Trucks race there."

Park and his team are depending on the continued strength of their Kroyer Racing Engines, which were such a crucial part of Gaughan's success in 2003, and continue to be in 2004 for the No. 62 Orleans Dodge Ram.

"Our Dodge Ram couldn't have been any better," Gaughan said after his victory in Michigan last year. "There was no need to make any adjustments all day long."

Park is currently 14th in the points standings heading into Michigan, 396 points out of first place. He is steadily gaining ground in the points race, having gained eight spots in eight races after top finishes of fourth, fourth and sixth in recent weeks.