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FOUNTAIN, CO - Terry Cook finished fourth in the Rocky Mountain 200 at Pikes Peak International Raceway catapulting the No. 29 Power StrokeŽ Diesel Ford by International team into the Top-10 in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series point standings.
"The Power Stroke Diesel Ford was good all day long," said Cook. "It wasn't quite as good at the end of the race as it was at the midway point of the race, but Bob and Ron Keselowski put a great truck together and made the right calls. I had a good truck under me and we were able to hold onto a Top-5 finish. To qualify fourth and bring home a fourth-place finish for Power Stroke Diesel is another confidence booster for this team. We came here to win, but we're very happy with fourth."
Cook wasted little time breaking into the Top-3 and stayed with the leaders until the handling on his Ford began to go away by the Lap-30 mark. Despite the problem, Cook managed to stay in the Top-10 until the team opted to remove a right-rear spring rubber during the first round of pit stops at Lap 44.
"We were tight into the corner and loose from the center off," said Cook of the handling dilemma. "I was doing everything I could to hang on. We decided to take out a spring rubber and take on four tires when we pitted. It put us back to 16th in the field, but it was worth it because I was still able to gain ground and get back up to the 10th spot 15 laps or so later."
With the leaders in sight, Cook worked his machine back to sixth before pitting again for fresh rubber and fuel on the 112th circuit. By Lap 158, Cook was back in the Top-5 and sailed into fourth position the next time by. Cook then maintained the position over the final 40 circuits earning $14,625 in the process. The seven-year NCTS veteran is now 10th in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series point standings, 118 markers out of first.
"We really wanted to back up our victory at Gateway two weeks ago with a win at Pikes Peak International Raceway, but we will take this solid finish," said Cook. "It feels great to be back in the Top-10 in points and back on top of our game again. We've had great success these past two weeks and the team has rallied."
Cook and his No. 29 Power Stroke Diesel Ford will take the green flag in the MBNA America 200 at Dover Downs International Raceway Friday, May 31 at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The event will be telecast live on ESPN. MRN Radio will also carry the event on more than 350 stations nationwide including the American Armed Forces Network. |
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