Park improving, not suffering from double vision
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Steve Park
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By Tim Packman, Turner Sports Interactive
January 9, 2002
4:11 PM EST (2111 GMT)
CONCORD, N.C. -- When it comes to seeing things in a new perspective, sometimes it is worth the wait.
Just ask Steve Park.
"My vision is about 95 percent healed," Park said. "The last five percent is coming back to me stronger each day. Heck, doing those eye exercises every day for an hour or so is finally paying off.
"The double vision is gone and the only part that still bothers me is when I look from the horizon down. That still gets a little blurry sometimes, but it's a lot better than it was a few weeks ago."
Park sustained his injuries during a September Busch Series race at Darlington. The field was under caution when Park's car suddenly swerved into the path of Larry Foyt, who was lining up for a caution restart.
Park, who normally drives the No. 1 Chevrolet for Dale Earnhardt Inc. in Winston Cup, hasn't been behind the wheel since the wreck. Kenny Wallace has been filling in, and will do so until Park is 100 percent ready to return.
"I'm not ready to get behind the wheel of a race car yet, but my goal to do so is getting closer each day," Park said. "I had a doctor's appointment on Monday and they said things are looking better. Tomorrow (Thursday) I'm going to a specialist at Duke University. "
He is planning to attend the second Winston Cup test session at Daytona next week. Park has driven his personal vehicle for two months -- his reaction and coordination tests have all come back with no indications of lingering effects.
Park, 34, has found one way to help pass the time before his return. He has a new puppy.
"I got a yellow Labrador Retriever right after Thanksgiving," he said proudly. "His name is Harley and he's now about eight weeks old. I've got him housebroken already, which was one thing I was worried about.
"The real difficult part is over."
The same could be said for Harley’s owner.
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