Martin Looks Ahead to 2001

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. - With only one race remaining on the Winston Cup schedule this year, Mark Martin is ready to put this season behind him and is looking forward to the changes ahead of him in 2001. In addition to a new primary sponsor, Martin and the team will also have a new shop in Concord, N.C., some new cars to race and a few new faces going over the wall on Sundays.

Beginning after the Atlanta race this weekend, Martin’s shop will be located in Roush’s new facility in Concord, N.C., adjacent to Matt Kenseth and Kurt Busch’s shop. They will continue to share shop space with Jeff Burton’s team, but the new facility has much more space and is designed for the team’s needs.

Two new crew members began going over the wall in September for the final 10 races. Rodney Fetters became the jackman, and Bobby Sada began carrying rear tires at Richmond, and since then the team’s pit stops have improved every week.

“I’m excited about our move, our people and the progress we’ve made on pit stops in the last few races,” Martin said. “All of the things we have done at the end of this season relate to our plans for next year. We have a really good head start on the upcoming season.”

Martin is also looking forward to next season’s racing. Since Goodyear plans to develop new tires for next season, Martin is very optimistic about his competitiveness in 2001.

“Goodyear has new tires which will probably be harder compounds at a lot of tracks,” Martin said. “That should put more in the drivers’ hands which is good for me and Jimmy (Fennig). We have had a tougher time finding the right set-up this year, but I think a different tire will help fix that problem next year. I am always in favor of making racing more about the driver and less about the technology.”

With all of the changes taking place for next season, Martin’s luck is bound to change as well. He and the entire team feel confident that they will be back in the championship hunt in 2001.

Roush Racing is a subsidiary of Roush Industries and operates nine teams; five in NASCAR Winston Cup with drivers Mark Martin, Jeff Burton, Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch and Kevin Lepage; two in the Busch Series with Martin and Burton; and two in Craftsman Truck with Busch and Greg Biffle.