Written by: Ashley M.

PAST SUMMERY

In the 2005 season, Mark finished 4th in pts with 1 win, 12 top 5s, 19 top 10s and a completion of 95.5% of all the laps in the season that was surpose to be his final year. It was gonna be his final year until Jack Rouch needed him to stay another year. He also made the chase in 2004 and also finished 4th in pts. He has finished runner-up for the title 4 seperate years ('02, '98, '94 & '90) and has total of 34 wins in his career.

RESTRICTOR PLATE

In 3 of the 4 restrictor plate races, he had accidents. His race without being involved in The Big One was the Daytona 500 so if Mark can stay out of The Big One, he could be a top 10 finisher in the restrictor plate races.

SHORT TRACKS

In 4 of the 6 short track races, he was not involved in a accident which promoted him to a bunch of finishes in the teens. So if Mark can stay of the mini trouble he is having and get a bit better at the finishes, then you have a short track top 10 finisher.

ROAD COURSES
Both of his road course finishes were in the top 15 in 2005 (15th and 7th). So to that I say keep it up since that's a good way to do it on the road courses.

FLAT TRACKS

All of Mark's flat track finishes were in the top 10 except one @ N.H so to that I say keep it up also.

COOKIE CUTTERS

Most of Mark's cookie cutter finishes were in the top 15 except one bad finish and a handful of top 10s so I'd say the cookie cutter goal for 2006 is make sure they are all in the top 10.

OVERALL

All Mark has to worry about is the short & restrictor plate tracks which make up 10 of the 36 races in a season so he doesn't have lots to work on. All he has to do is avoid trouble at those two and improve on his other track finishes a bit and you have a even tougher championship contender.

(C)Ashley M, Dec. 2nd 2005

(R)The NASCAR Palace, Dec. 2nd 2005