COOK, POWER STROKE® DIESEL FORD STRIKE GOLD IN GATEWAY NCTS WIN

MADISON, IL - Terry Cook delivered on a promise Sunday when he drove his No. 29 Power Stroke Diesel Ford to a win in the Ram Tough 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Gateway International Raceway.

"When we signed our sponsorship deal with Power Stroke Diesel last year, we promised to be competitive and have a chance at winning races," Cook stated. "Well, we've been competitive, but we've been coming up just short of Victory Lane. Today, a lot of people realized their dreams when we were able to win this race. What a great day for all the people at Power Stroke Diesel and everyone on this K-Automotive team. Hopefully, this is just the first of a many wins we'll score together this year and beyond."

Cook notched the second win of his seven-year NCTS career and the first since 1998 when he won at Flemington, NJ. He grabbed the top spot on Lap 117 of the 160-circuit event and never looked back winning by more than eight seconds over runner-up Jason Leffler. It was the first win for the Power Stroke Diesel brand in the Truck Series and came in just the 17th race of the sponsorship association Cook and K-Automotive.

"The truck was flawless all weekend," said Cook, the first Ford driver to break into Victory Lane this year. "We had an optional test day Friday and we were good right off the transporter. We knew we had a shot to win right away. Everyone did an awesome job to get this Power Stroke Diesel truck ready to race this weekend. This is an incredible feeling."

It was a week of highs for the Pittsboro, IN resident as he and his wife, Amy, learned they would be having a child later this year.

 "This week has been a real roller coaster for Amy and I," said Cook. "We found out Amy was pregnant late last week and then I got sick in the middle of the week. If we would have had to race on Wednesday, I would have never made it. If you would have told me we would be able to cap off the week with a win, I never would have believed it."

Cook moved up seven positions to 12th in the Truck Series season standings with the victory. After a slow start to the 2002 campaign, the veteran driver is right back in the thick of the season championship chase, just 175 points out of the top spot with 18 races remaining.

"We had some tough breaks in the first two races, but nobody ever gave up," said Cook. "This K-Automotive team has poured their hearts and souls into this effort and the support we've gotten from Power Stroke Diesel has never wavered. Without them, none of this would have been possible. Like I said, this is a win that everyone can enjoy. "Cook and his No. 29 Power Stroke Diesel Ford will return to action Sunday, May 19, at Pikes Peak International Raceway. The event will take the green flag at 4 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time and will be telecast live on ESPN. MRN