Last fall, Mark
announced that the 2000 season would be his final year running a limited
schedule in the NASCAR Busch Series. Mark will wrap up his Busch career
with a 14-race schedule this season. Winn-Dixie, Mark's primary sponsor
since 1993, decided to commemorate Mark's final year in the Busch Series
with a new paint scheme for 2000. It captures the greatest moments in
Mark's Busch career all on one Ford Taurus.
"There have been years in my career when Busch racing was the only thing
that brought me success," Mark said. "This series has been good to me
over the 13 years I have competed in it. Jack Roush noticed me after
winning my first race at Dover in 1987 and offered me the opportunity to
drive his Winston Cup car. I've gained a lot from the Busch series and I'm
honored to be in their record books."
Mark is the winningest driver in NASCAR Busch Series history with 40
victories. He broke Jack Ingram's record of 31 wins at North Carolina
Speedway in October 1997. In 187 starts, Mark has 40 wins, 81 top-five
and 109 top-10 finishes. He has also claimed 23 poles. His career earnings
total $2,345,255. Mark's best year in the Busch Series came in 1993 when
he won seven races of the 14 he entered.
"It was a tough decision to retire from the Busch Series on a regular
basis," Mark said. "I am at the point in my career that I am ready to
just focus on my Winston Cup efforts. I signed a new contract with Roush
Racing through 2005, so I don't have any plans on retiring from racing
altogether for quite a while. I will miss competing in the Busch Series. I
have raced against some really good drivers and it is an excellent source
to find some of the upcoming stars of the sport."
Feb. 26, North Carolina Speedway
March 4, Las Vegas Motor Speedway
March 11, Atlanta Motor Speedway
March 18, Darlington Raceway
April 1, Texas Motor Speedway
May 5, Richmond International Raceway
May 27, Lowe's Motor Speedway
June 3, Dover Downs International Speedway
August 19, Michigan Speedway
September 2, Darlington Raceway
September 8, Richmond International Raceway
October 7, Lowe's Motor Speedway
October 21, North Carolina Speedway
November 11, Homestead/Miami Speedway