---

NASCAR: Loy Allen Takes Over at Mark III Motorsports

22 April 1998

Charlotte, NC - Loy Allen will take over as driver of the Mark III Motorsports Busch Grand National No. 78 it was announced today. Allen succeeds Hank Parker, Jr. who resigned last week after Parker and the Mark III team had trouble finding the right chemistry. "Sometimes you can't put your finger on the problem," team owner Dan Browder stated. "We wish Hank the best and hope a change will be good for both of us."

Loy Allen will pilot the Mark III entry for the Touchstone Energy 300 at Talladega this weekend in what is initially a one race deal. "We're going to see how it goes this weekend and decide where we want to go from there,"

Browder said. "Loy is a capable and experienced driver. We probably could not have picked better track to begin our relationship," Browder continued. Allen, who has a good deal of Winston Cup experience, won three pole awards (Daytona, Michigan and Atlanta) in his rookie Winston Cup season in 1994. He was the first rookie to win the pole for the Daytona 500. Allen has run a limited schedule of Winston Cup races in each of the last three years.

"Loy is looking for a place to prove himself ," Browder said. "He has bounced around a little the past few years and really has not been given the chance he deserves. Given the right situation I believe he is capable of winning this weekend. I'm really impressed with his qualifying record in Winston Cup. Obviously he knows how to find the gas pedal," Browder continued.

Allen's last Winston Cup start was last year in February at Rockingham for the Goodwrench Service 400. Allen made only his second Busch appearance in October of last year at California Speedway driving the Randy Porter/Sammy Kershaw entry.