Winston 500 2000

The knuckles at Talladega were even whiter than usual last weekend, as aero and restrictor plate changes served to pack the cars up even more than in years past. The race featured plenty of position swapping; Mark started in 27th position, fell as far back as 32nd, and led the race by lap 49.

While planning to pit on lap 168, Mark's car was Mark spins

clipped by Bobby Hamilton. After a lengthy spin and some serious driving, Mark gathered the car up and continued into the pits to have the damage repaired. The crew cut away the damaged sheet metal and sent him back out in 26th place with 15 laps to go. Mark moved up to ninth place within three laps, was shuffled back to 14th with five laps to go, and then put the pedal to the metal to finish seventh. Dale Earnhardt won the race, and Mark's was the highest-finishing Ford in the field.

"I'm so glad nobody was hurt out there today," he said. "Every one of those drivers out there deserves a gold medal. Everybody was careful and did a good job. I had a little problem getting into the pits once and I guess whoever was behind me didn't know I was going to pit. That happens sometimes. We made a great recovery and I'm glad to have this race behind us."

QUEST FOR A POLE:
Mark has been the pole-winner for the fall Rockingham race in each of the past two years. He hopes to continue that tradition this weekend, guaranteeing himself a great starting spot as well as a slot in February's Bud Shootout. Mark has five poles in his Rockingham Winston Cup career -- more than any other driver.

"I sure would like to be part of the Bud Shootout again this year," Mark said. "Not just because I've been in it every year since 1989, but because it is some extra practice time at Daytona. We can always use extra time at the first race of the year."

JR-57 GETS THE CALL:
Mark will drive JR-57 this weekend. The car was last raced at Darlington in September, where Mark led 29 laps but finished 14th when he pitted just before the rainstorm that shortened the race.

"This is a good car," he said. "It was one of my favorites when it was brand new, but we wrecked it in The Winston the first time we raced it. We rebuilt it and brought it back to Michigan in August and then Darlington. I'm hoping it will be strong this weekend since I really want to get back to Victory Lane again. It's been too long in the Winston Cup car."

ONLY TWO TO GO:
Mark will make the next-to-last start of his Busch Grand National "Farewell Tour" on Saturday at Rockingham.

"I'd really like to win there one more time before the Winn-Dixie team ends," Mark said. "I've won 11 races there so far and the guys want to make it an even dozen. I won't be coming back any time soon for a baker's dozen if we win this weekend."


Congratulations, Dale Earnhardt , for the win at the 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Winston 500 in Talladega, Ala.