The 2002 Bud Shootout

"We were going for first or last place," said Mark shortly after Saturday nights The Kraft 6 Car

Budweiser Shootout. "It doesn't matter unless you win, so we went for it. The strategy worked, and it was a great team effort; we just didn't have the car to stay there once we got there."

Mark, driving the Kraft Ford Taurus in this year's shootout, was running in eighth place on lap 51 when the field came into the pits. Most teams took tires, but the No. 6 team opted to take a splash of fuel only. The gamble worked, as Mark came out of the pits in first place.

Mark the No. 6 Kraft Ford Taurus led the next four laps before falling to second place on lap 56. Mark remained in the top four for the next several laps, but with no drafting partners, fell out of the draft and dropped to 17th-place by lap 61.

"We took a shot," said Mark. "In this type of race you might as well go for the win and that is what we did.

"We just didn't have nearly as good of a car for this race as we do for the 500," added Mark. "We only had time to build two cars. One is really good and one is not as good. Obviously, this was the car that isn't as good."

Still, Mark was happy with the car's handling and the ability to stay with the draft.

"We were able to run well at times tonight," added Mark. "The car was okay, but the 500 car for next week is so much better."

Mark is excited about the remainder of Speedweeks, including Sunday's qualifying, Thursday's twin-125's and Sunday's Daytona 500.

"I'm excited," said Mark. "We have a good car and I feel good about the rest of the week."