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Introduction
In 2009, Mark returned to full-time NASCAR Sprint Cup racing with Hendrick
Motorsports to drive fast race cars and maybe, just maybe, win a race.
But the NASCAR veteran accomplished much more than that. At the age of 51, he garnered five victories and
battled for the Sprint Cup championship, finishing second for the fifth time of his career. Mark’s
success drew attention from fans of all ages – many who just wanted to see a Cinderella story come true.
Now into the 2010 season, Mark is geared up for another shot at the elusive Sprint Cup championship trophy
from behind the wheel of the No. 5 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet.
Mark began his racing career at the age of 15 in his home state of Arkansas. Competing on dirt tracks, he
won in only his third start and that same year – 1974 – won the Arkansas State Championship. In 1976, Mark
left his dirt days behind and moved to pavement racetracks.
In 1977, Mark started competing in the American Speed Association (ASA). He earned rookie of the year honors
that year and went on to win the championship the following three seasons.
The 1981 racing season saw Mark move into NASCAR’s elite series, and make five Sprint Cup Series starts in
which he earned two pole positions and two top-10 finishes. The following year, in his first full-time
schedule, he recorded eight top-10 finishes. Unable to continue funding his own team, Mark was forced to
auction off his equipment and race for a variety of owners before returning to ASA competition from 1984-1986.
He won his fourth ASA championship in 1986.
The thrill of NASCAR called again in 1987, and Mark agreed to drive a full Nationwide Series schedule. He
earned three victories that season, which piqued the interest of car owner Jack Roush. In 1988, Mark and
Roush joined forces, forging a working relationship that lasted 19 years.
During his time with Roush, Mark recorded 35 victories and won at all but six tracks on the Sprint Cup
circuit. He earned 230 top-five finishes and 361 top-10s, earning a top-10 finish in nearly 50 percent of
his starts. He also started from the pole 39 times.
Mark finished second in the Sprint Cup Series standings four times with Roush Fenway Racing, missing his
first championship in 1990 by a mere 26 points.
While making a name for himself in Cup competition, Mark was setting records in the Nationwide Series.
Though he’s completed just one full season of Nationwide competition – 1987 – Mark holds the all-time
series records for most wins (48) and most poles (30). In 2006, motorsports media acknowledged his
accomplishments by naming him the greatest Nationwide Series driver of all-time.
Following the 2006 season, Mark committed only to a part-time Sprint Cup schedule. He was ready to spend
more time at home in Daytona Beach, Fla., with his wife Arlene and son Matt.
In the two years that followed, Mark competed in 48 Sprint Cup Series races driving the Nos. 01 and 8
Chevrolets. He earned seven top-five finishes and 19 top-10s and also became a mentor for rookie drivers.
In 2007, Mark made his first Nationwide start for Hendrick Motorsports, driving the No. 5 Chevrolet led by
crew chief Alan Gustafson. Mark further impressed Rick Hendrick by finishing second in that race at
Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. Mark went on to earn his first win for Hendrick the following year at Las Vegas
Motor Speedway driving the No. 5 JR Motorsports Nationwide entry.
Hendrick’s admiration grew for Mark’s on-track skills as well as his ability to motivate and inspire his crew
members. Hendrick decided to pursue the NASCAR veteran, and in July 2008, Mark announced that he would
return to full-time Sprint Cup competition to drive the No. 5 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports.
Mark did not disappoint in his first season with the powerhouse team and posted one of his career-best
seasons with five victories, 14 top-five finishes and 21 top-10s. He also notched a career-best seven
pole positions.
In his return to full-time racing, Mark challenged for the 2009 Sprint Cup championship. He opened the
Chase as the points leader and maintained the top spot during the first three races of the postseason.
During the final race of the season, Mark was the only contender with a mathematical shot to reach
Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson, who ultimately scored his fourth straight Cup title.
Mark finished the season with several honors and notably was recognized as NASCAR Illustrated’s Person
of the Year presented by Old Spice. He also earned the Sporting News’ Dale Earnhardt Tough Driver award.
Mark was named to the All American Team selected by the Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association
and was nominated for the SPEED Performer of the Year title. Mark was also named the Sportsman of the
Year by his homestate’s newspaper The Arkansas Democrat Gazette.
Late in the 2009 season, Mark Mark announced that he would return fulltime to Hendrick Motorsports
through the 2011 season to drive the No. 5 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet. GoDaddy.com, the world’s largest domain
registrar and Web hosting provider, will adorn the hood for 20 races annually.
A healthy lifestyle advocate, Mark spends much of his free time on his extensive physical fitness
regimen. He is a licensed pilot, flying to and from racetracks around the country, and a successful
businessman. In addition to other interests, he owns a pair of Arkansas automobile dealerships, located
in Melbourne and his hometown of Batesville.
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