Cook’s Strong Debut with Wyler Racing Cut Short

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (February 18, 2008) – Terry Cook and the Wyler Racing team saw their Daytona dreams dashed after being involved in a five-truck incident that sent the heavily damaged No. 60 Wyler Racing Toyota Tundra to the garage after just 25 laps of the Chevy Silverado 250.  Cook later re-entered the field to finish 30th.

Starting on the outside of the front row after an impressive qualifying effort Thursday night, Cook looked to have the truck to beat heading in to Friday night’s 250-mile race.   When the green flag dropped, Cook was cautious, conserving his truck in the opening laps. 

The No. 60 Wyler Racing Toyota Tundra was running fourth when the first caution of the night came out on lap 10.  Cook radioed to crew chief George Church that he was “struggling in the draft” and “wearing out the brake pedal” prompting Church to make slight adjustments while taking only right side tires and fuel during the first pit stop.  Cook restarted lap 14 in 10th, but slid back to 14th after a three-wide battle to stay in the top-10.  Church radioed Cook advising his driver to “be patient; we’ll get up there.” 

The first big wreck of the night came just 20 laps in to the race, collecting 10 trucks along the backstretch, and bringing out the red flag in order for clean up to be completed. 

Cook was able to avoid damage, moving the No. 60 Wyler Racing truck up to 6th when the race resumed on lap 23.  But luck wouldn’t hold on for long.  Riding the highline coming to turn three, Cook took a hard hit to the driver’s side then slammed the outside retaining wall.  Cook was transported to infield care where he was quickly released without injury.  The Wyler Racing team made quick work repairing the No. 60 Toyota Tundra.  Cook was able to return to the race, finishing 64 laps down in 30th.

“I had a big run on Joey Clanton and got two-wide down the backstretch,” Cook said.   “Any time these trucks go two-wide -- being behind them can really (make you) suck up to them.  I had a big run at him and went three-wide down the backstretch.  I just about had the 09 cleared -- and my spotter said I didn’t have him cleared -- so I stayed up top by the wall through turns three and four.  Next thing I know I was in the outside wall hard.  I’m sure the 09 and 71 (Mike Bliss) got together and one of them came across the track and took me out.  It’s really a shame because we were just 27 laps into a 100 lap race.”

Cook and his Wyler Racing team look to rebound with another strong performance this Saturday, February 23, 2008, as they travel to the west coast for the San Bernardino County 200 at California Speedway.  Live television coverage will be provided by FOX at 3:00 p.m. ET with radio coverage coming to you live on MRN Radio.