California Race Report
   

Terry Cook scored his 15th Top-10 finishof the 2002 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with a hard-fought 10th-placeeffort in the American Racing Wheels 200 at California Speedway Saturday.

     "We never found the right chassis combination, but it's the first Top-10

we've had in a long time," said Cook, driver of the No. 29 Power Stroke

Diesel Ford. "We were pretty much around 10th in our practice sessions and

that's where we ended up. This finish today is something to build on and will

give us momentum heading into the next race at Phoenix."

     Cook started 13th and managed to stay near the front-runners despite a

tight handling condition in the early stages of the race. His K-Automotive

team's concern quickly turned to a windshield tear sheet that was stuck to

the front grill of Cook's Power Stroke Diesel Ford. Luckily, the tear sheet

blew off before the Indianapolis resident pitted under caution at Lap 20.

     "We struggled from the time we rolled off the transporter looking for the

right combination," said Cook. "We tried everything we could as we pitted to

improve the handling of the Power Stroke Diesel Ford."

     The adjustments worked to a degree as Cook moved into the Top-10 and

stayed there through the next set of pit stops on Lap 64. Over the final 35

circuits, Cook battled a host of challengers fending off David Starr to earn

the 48th Top-10 finish of his seven-year NCTS career. Cook earned $14,800

for the effort and is eighth in the 2002 Craftsman Truck Series championship

standings, 95 markers out of fifth with two events remaining.

     "We're happy to walk away from here with a Top-10 finish," said Cook.

"This run is something to carry us forward to Phoenix where our one-mile

program produced wins at Milwaukee and New Hampshire earlier this season. We

are taking Droopy Dog - one of our favorite trucks - that's won three of four