this: more time with his family, a full-time ride in the Craftsman Truck
Series and most importantly, to leave Nextel Cup racing on his own terms,
at the top of his game.Perhaps that is why he remains so conflicted about putting all of his future plans on hold to run the No. 6 Ford one more season, as a favor to car owner Jack Roush.
"I came out of Talladega very frustrated with myself for getting into the situation of having to go forward and needing to go forward one year," Mark said. "But I'm really at peace with it because of what Jack Roush has done for me and for what my team has done for me."
At the heart of Mark's divided loyalties was the promise he made to his wife Arlene and son Matt. After years of being on the road, being away from his family, Mark was ready to give them the time they so deserved.
"I said I was going put my family first and as soon as it came up, Jack Roush went to sit down with Matt and Arlene," Mark said. "That's how I'm getting around putting my family first, because if they said no, then I wouldn't do it.
"They were fine with it, (although) they're on their own."
Mark's second goal -- the start of his Truck Series career -- is in stasis.
"I have been disappointed from time to time that I wasn't able to go on and do my truck racing like I planned," he said. "What I am excited about is I have already tested my truck.
"Kevin Harvick has agreed to move the No. 6 over to my truck, which I would say that is a super stand-up guy, and I have agreed to race that truck six times next year. There is a plan for that truck to run a full schedule and to build that team and have it more ready for me in '07 than it would have been in '06."
Mark's third goal was to simply enjoy what would have been his final season in Nextel Cup. In that way, 2005 has met or exceeded Mark's expectations.
Despite starting 35th in Sunday's Subway 500, Mark is fifth in the standings, 51 points behind Tony Stewart and Jimmie Johnson. With a win at Kansas two weekends ago and 16 top-10 finishes, Mark has avoided leaving the sport in the way so many drivers do, struggling to run near the front.
"That hurts me bad," Mark said. "I love this sport. I love the tradition. They were the heroes when I was growing up, wishing I could drive. I don't want to see that.
"I'm so happy to see (open-wheel star) Gil de Ferran do what he did. I'm so happy for Rusty (Wallace), who may still win the championship. He's got as good a shot at it as anybody in the Chase."
This was supposed to be a year-long retirement party for Mark and Wallace. While Rusty is savoring his final five races as a full-time driver, Mark is trying to remain focused on the present -- and let the future take care of itself.
"Rusty and I are good friends," Mark said. "We have the roots that go back 30 years, so I appreciate that. But, at the same time, this is right for me. I'll feel great this time next year."
In a way, Mark is the antithesis of Rusty Wallace. While Wallace can see the bright side of nearly any situation, Mark is more of a pragmatist.
"I am not a pessimist," Mark said. "I just look at things differently than some guys. I'm the opposite of Wallace.
"Wallace is an eternal optimist, but I couldn't live that way. If I thought every race I was going to win, I'd be brokenhearted 99 times out of 100. I don't want to be brokenhearted. I want to say, 'Man, we've got a good car and I'm going to give it everything I've got.' That way, if I run second, I don't have to be brokenhearted."
