Their bond formed more than 15 years ago. Roush, then a 40-something former Ford
engineer, wanted to expand his racing pursuits to NASCAR and needed a hungry, yet
savvy, stock car driver to share his dream.Mark, a four-time American Speed Association champ, first tried his hand at Winston Cup racing at 22 but had never secured a full-time ride in the series. Roush gave him the first legitimate chance to showcase his talent.
"Jack identifies with people who want it really bad and are willing to work really, really hard and really deserve an opportunity" Mark says. "And those are the types of people that Jack likes. He likes to give people a chance to realize their dreams. And he is indescribably loyal to people who have the right heart and desire and work ethic."
Not only did Roush find a driver who shared his level of dedication, he found someone he could help make better. Roush, who was a teacher early in his career, can take willing students and help them reach their potential.
That's evident from following him around the garage as he visits each of his teams, comparing results or tinkering with an engine. He has a knack for identifying weaknesses and providing solutions.
It's just a shame that it took a near-tragic event to bring this story to the forefront. Roush, whose passion for flying is equal to his love of racing, crashed while piloting a friend's plane. He ran afoul of some power lines and plummeted into a lake in southeastern Alabama April 19 while on his way to celebrate his 60th birthday.
As of Tuesday, Roush was making progress in his recovery from a head injury, a collapsed lung and multiple fractures of his left leg and ankle. He expects to go home this week and begin rehabilitation at the University of Michigan Medical Center.
Mark and teammate Jeff Burton traveled from Talladega, site of the weekend's race, and were at the hospital in Birmingham when Roush arrived. For Mark, who lost his father, stepmother and stepsister in a plane crash in 1998 and a nephew in a car crash less than two years later, the news was almost too much to bear. But Roush is a fighter, and although the recovery process will be lengthy, his prognosis is positive.
"My prayer, and this is a little bit personal and private, my biggest prayer for 2002 was that I wouldn't have to bury any of my friends or family," Mark says. "I'm just so grateful that my prayers are coming true so far. Jack's going to be back 100 percent." Mark's voice reveals his relief. In a sport in which families often take a back seat to competition, Roush has been both friend and mentor to Mark. That's why Mark insisted on being with Roush after the race at Talladega and visited him again on the way to California.
"I don't have many friends, and Jack has been a good one," Mark says.
"I don't have any brothers, and he's really not old enough to be a
father figure in my life, but outside of my dad, never have I been
around a guy that I respect as much as Jack. It's hard to find friends
or build relationships in this business, and ours has lasted for 15
years."He's been a solid figure in my life. We're cut from the same cloth. Our desire to win and our motivation are a lot alike. We've been through a lot together, and we've stayed shoulder to shoulder through it all."
Their road through Winston Cup has been paved with success and heartache. With 32 victories, 39 poles and more than $30 million in prize money, Mark's No. 6 team is the strongest in the garage never to have won the championship, but it has finished second three times, in 1990, '94 and '98. In '90, Mark's third year with Roush, Roush was fined money and points for an illegal manifold. Mark lost the title to Dale Earnhardt by 26 points. In 2001, for the first time since their initial season together, Mark finished outside the top 10 in points. He described the experience as "humiliating." Of Roush's four teams, only Burton, who finished 10th, made the top 10. Although the organization turned a corner toward the end of the year, Roush seemed to take the slump personally.
Immediately after the season, Roush reinvented his teams. He swapped Mark's veteran crew chief, Jimmy Fennig, with Ben Leslie, who was crew chief for Kurt Busch through his rookie season. The results were terrific, and the change has brought the old Mark back to life. The switch also gave Busch his first career Cup victory this year.
"I'm so excited to work with these guys," Mark says. "They've given me their all, and it's the best I've felt about racing in a long time. I've felt pretty sorry for myself in the past. I've wondered if I'll ever be lucky enough to win a championship. After the crash I had Sunday (at Talladega), I realize that I can't always control what happens on the racetrack. I just have to worry about what I can control.
"It's still early in the schedule, but I know this team will only get better as the season rolls on."
