championship wasn't enough, Mark announced today that he will
compete in three races during the Oct. 29-31 Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500
weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway.Mark will return to his roots on Friday, Oct. 29, competing in the ASA 150 for Atlanta-based World Financial Group, with associate sponsorship from longtime AMS sponsor Gresham & Associates. Mark, 45, began his racing career in the American Speed Association (ASA), logging 143 starts, which produced 22 race wins and four titles.
Mark will continue logging miles during the Oct. 30 Aaron's 312 Busch Series race in his Roush Racing Ford sponsored by Cottman Transmissions. First on the all-time Busch Series win list, Martin already has three victories and two pole positions in Atlanta Busch Series events.
On Sunday, Oct. 31, Mark will return to his Viagra Ford for the Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500, the seventh of 10 races in the Chase for the NEXTEL Cup.
The only race that Mark will miss all weekend at Atlanta is the Crown Royal IROC season championship.
"But I'll be working on my champion's invite for next year," Martin said with an impish grin.
IROC offers invitations to the top 12 drivers in the country across different disciplines to compete in an all-star racing series. Mark, a four-time IROC champion, would automatically be invited to join next year's field if he wins the NEXTEL Cup championship this season.
It will make for a long weekend for Mark, but one that he is eagerly anticipating.
"This will give me a whole lot more chances to win in Atlanta," Mark said.
Among the three races, including practice and qualifying Mark estimates that he will run more than 1,200 miles at Atlanta Motor Speedway - but he's not sure whether to call that an advantage or not.
"If I follow the plan and win all three races, I guess we'll consider it an advantage," Mark said.
