2006 like he wants to drive a nail through his big toe. It is abundantly
clear that visions of pickup trucks are dancing through his head.Yet here he is, 17 races removed from a ceremonious South Beach retirement party, contemplating a return to the Cup circus for a 19th round.
On one hand, I'm not the least bit surprised. Jack Roush is in a crisis situation. And Mark, ever loyal, would sever a limb at the drop of the Cat's hat if Roush needed him to.
On the other hand, I'm astonished he would so much as consider it. He doesn't want to return, so why do so just because someone else wants him to? He's earned the right to politely decline.
Moreover, this time last year it seemed nothing, not even a championship, could coax Mark into spending another unnecessary minute in the Cup Series.
But this situation is different. This situation, by his estimation, is quite necessary. This situation involves the No. 6 Ford, his lifeblood for the past 18 years.
"When (the media) asked me, 'If you win the championship, will you consider coming back?' No! No! This is different. That's a different reason," Mark said.
"These guys, whether we make the Chase here or not, give me their guts. The 6 car is always going to be my car, to me. It is responsible for my career. It's part of me."
Mark's devotion to car, team and owner run deep. Therefore he feels he owes it to all parties involved to personally bequeath the machine to his hand-picked replacement, Jamie McMurray.
It's safe to say that Mark will be in the No. 6 Ford Fusion next year if McMurray is contractually bound to Chip Ganassi's No. 42 Dodge.
"I won't drag it out a long time -- although when I do make a decision, it will be that I will stay in it until Jamie gets there," Mark said. "It may be September 1st before we know. It could be December.
"In a non-perfect world, if he comes available before the season started, and I made that commitment, I'd get out of the way, obviously."
So if Mark were in Ganassi's position, what would he do?
"I respect Chip, and if I was Chip Ganassi, I'd keep Jamie McMurray in my race car, probably," Mark said. "He's the most sought-after driver in the garage area, in my opinion. And that's why we got very lucky to have signed him."
In today's me-first society, such acts of selflessness are virtually extinct. And this is no small decision. If Mark returns he will forego the Salute to You program, which he admitted would be a "source of embarrassment" to him.
And that's the easy part. His family must also endure another year in the Cup grind. Make no mistake, Mark's decision weighs heavily on his family's blessing. They say no, he says no.
He commented often throughout the past year that he has grown weary, even j aded, of the constant running involved with 36 races and countless appearances. Does he really want to make that commitment again?
Regardless, I pray he goes with his heart.
Because as much as I respect him for even considering it, it is imperative he looks out for his own best interests first.
It's easy for me to say, but this decision should be about No. 1. Not No. 6.
