Justin Marks and his No. 98 GoPro Chevrolet Silverado

Marks came to the team for the Atlanta event to help the newest addition to the ThorSport Racing stable get more track time before next season’s attempt at Rookie of the Year with driver Dakoda Armstrong. After practice and qualifying on Friday afternoon, crew chief Dan Stillman called for changes to remedy the handling troubles Marks described prior to the 200 mile battle later in the evening.

Evidence of the changes appeared within the first five laps as Marks came over the radio and informed his team the GoPro Chevy was really loose. Holding on until the first pit stop, he maintained his position within the top 20 and steered clear of some early trouble on the track. On lap 23 the GoPro crew supplied their driver with four tires and several adjustments to tighten him up all the way around the 1.5-mile circuit.

Marks was silent on the radio following the first round of adjustments until the next caution period on Lap 37 when he radioed to Stillman that the adjustments had his ThorSport Racing machine headed in the right direction, but still needed some final tweaking. Just 23 laps later, Stillman brought his driver back down pit road for a set of sticker tires and more adjustments. Marks went back to work on traffic and began picking his way through the field towards the top-10.

The final chance for adjustments came during the last scheduled pit stop of the night with 30 laps remaining as Marks peeled off the track to bring the No. 98 to the attention of his crew. A solid stop by the team would be followed by a report from their driver that he had completely lost fuel pressure as soon as he returned to competition. Marks brought the truck down pit road and the crew lifted the hood and quickly discovered the failure in the fuel system. Stillman directed his crew to pull the truck behind the wall to fix the broken part, taking just 14 laps to remedy the issue and get Marks back to racing. Unfortunately, he was not able to gain any positions and ended the night in 28th position.

“We didn’t start the night off where we wanted to be, but the guys did a good job and we made gains all night,” Stillman commented. “I wish we could’ve run the whole last run on the track because we had the truck really handling well after that final pit stop.”

“We were really loose in the beginning of the race but we got better and better after every pit stop. We just had an unfortunate parts failure in the fuel system there and the guys did a great job getting it fixed and getting us back out there for the points,” Marks said following the race.

“I’m really excited for this team and for Dakoda. I can tell there’s a good pace in this truck and it just needs to be discovered with this group of guys and this package. It was going to be a good solid night for us but what’s good is the 98 got some experience and stayed fresh for the next race for Dakoda Armstrong. ”

Rookie driver Armstrong will retake the wheel of the No. 98 Chevy Silverado at Chicagoland Speedway in two weeks when the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series resumes competition.

About ThorSport Racing:

ThorSport Racing, based in Sandusky, Ohio, is the longest tenured active NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team. ThorSport Racing’s first came at the Milwaukee Mile on July 6, 1996. NASCAR’s only Ohio-based team, which has run full season schedules annually beginning in 1998, currently runs the No. 88 Menards Chevrolet Silverado driven by Matt Crafton, and the No. 13 Safe Auto/Curb Records Chevrolet driven by Johnny Sauter.

ThorSport Racing has wheeled into Victory Lane with Terry Cook, Matt Crafton, and Johnny Sauter since its inception and has finished a dominating seven times within the top 10 in points with both trucks. In April 2011, Sauter wheeled into Victory Lane at Martinsville Speedway. In 2009 and 2010, both Crafton and Sauter finished in the top five in driver points. In 2011, ThorSport Racing has moved into a state-of-the-art, world-class, 100,000 square foot racing facility in Sandusky, and has also expanded its operations with the addition of a third NCWTS team, the No. 98. The team is set to run select races in 2011, and full-time in 2012 with Rookie of the Year contender Dakoda Armstrong.

About Justin Marks

California native Justin Marks began his love of racing after attending local races and the Indianapolis 500 with his father at the age of 14. His racing career sprouted from local street stock racing and grew into a successful SCCA and Rolex Sports Car Series career. Marks finished 16th in the 2001 Rolex Sports Car 24 Hours of Daytona in his first career professional race, and later collected a total of 12 wins in the SCCA and Rolex Sports Car Series combined. In 2009, he competed once again in the 24 Hours of Daytona and came home with a victory.

Marks moved on to ARCA Racing Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck and Nationwide Series competition in 2007, where he competed in select races over the next two years. Last season, he raced full-time in the ARCA Racing Series with Win-Tron Racing, collecting one win, seven top-five and 13 top-10 finishes. In the first half of 2011, Marks competed in 12 events for Turn One Racing and GoPro, collecting the pole at Dover and two top-10 finishes. For the latest news on Justin, please visit www.JustinMarksRacing.com.

About GoPro

Based in Half Moon Bay, California, GoPro is the world’s leading activity image capture company. GoPro’s HD HERO line of wearable and gear mountable cameras are used by more consumers and video production professionals than any other camera in its class. GoPro’s products are sold in over 60 countries and in the USA through professional channels and retailers including Best Buy, Sports Authority, Bass Pro Shops, Cycle Gear, and online at gopro.com.

- ThorSport Racing Press Release

Eddie Sharp Racing (ESR)

“We’re happy to help Will take the next step. He doesn’t have any stock car experience, so he needs to run the race, feel everything out, and go from there. We’ve tested with him, but the race will be very different, so we’ll take it slow, help him learn, and see what happens,” car owner Sharp said.

Friday’s race at Madison will mark the first for the Santa Rosa, California resident. After kicking off his racing career at 19, he started out in open wheel machines within the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). He finished a solid 10th in points in his rookie season, followed by an impressive climb to fifth during his sophomore run. After two and a half seasons behind the wheel of an SCCA entry, he opted to move to full bodied stock cars, expanding his racing experience.

Will Gallaher

“Coming to ARCA is a big step for me. Having only three days behind the wheel of an ARCA car, and only six days in any race car with a roof over my head, it has been a steep learning curve. I really feel like Eddie and the team has taught me a lot already and I am eager to continue my development as a stock car driver,” Gallaher said.

Dan Bormann, who is the crew chief on Justin Lofton’s No. 6 Toyota in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will be calling the shots for Gallaher this Friday in Madison.

Though this week’s race in Madison is just the beginning, Gallaher says his ultimate goal is to see if this is something that he would like to pursue. Following this Friday’s race, he will continue his stock car education by mapping out more test runs with ESR.

More on Will Gallaher:

William (Will) Kim Gallaher

DOB: September 4 1989 (age 21)

Hometown: Santa Rosa CA

Born in Seoul Korea, adopted at four months old

Currently enrolled at Dominican University in San Rafael, CA. where he is in his junior year majoring in Business Administration.

- Eddie Sharp Racing Press Release

Cunningham Motorsports

(May 18, 2011-Mooresville, NC)

Prior to his driving experiences, Buice was a crew member on Alan Kulwicki’s 1992 NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship team and has served as crew chief for Joe Nemechek at Nemco Motorsports in 1996. He was also a crew chief for both Melling Racing and Travis Carter Motorsports. Buice currently runs the day to day operations at Shaver Motorsports. Looking forward to the race, Buice commented, “We are excited to work with Paul Andrews and Cunningham Motorsports at New Jersey this weekend.”

The ModSpace 150 race activities begin with a 90 minute practice session starting at 11:15am EST on Saturday. Final practice is scheduled from 1:45-2:45, with Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell following at 4:30. The field will take the green flag for the 67 lap event on the 2.3 mile road course at 1:00pm EST on Sunday, with live timing and scoring available at ARCAracing.com.

- Cunningham Motorsports Press Release

Andrew Smith Racing, Inc.

Smith, the 2008 Legends National Champion, has been competing this season in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, but will now turn his focus toward bringing home another championship in the annual INEX event.

“The first time I met Ryan, I was impressed with his knowledge about the cars and I felt that we could win a bunch of races together. Until now, we haven’t had the chance to see what we could do as a team. He and I have a lot of respect for each other and I think we’ll be one of the teams to beat. We both want to win.” commented Smith.

For his part, Ryan Farbo (Director of Operations, Farbo Motorsports), was equally excited about this new partnership: “We are extremely excited to be teaming up with Andrew Smith for the 2010 Legends Nationals. Andrew has proven to be an exceptional talent behind the wheel, and we can’t wait for him to showcase our capabilities as an organization.”

While no other races for the new partners have been scheduled, the possibility is certainly there.

“Over the last several years, Farbo Motorsports has been sculpting its brand around the garage,” explained Farbo. “After fine-tuning our set-up process and proving our formula for victory, we are ready to reach out to new partners that are in search of achieving that same level of success. Partnering with Andrew is going to lead to good things.”

About Farbo Motorsports:

Farbo Motorsports is a full-service racing operation offering complete set-up, transportation, driver development and media relations support. Built on a foundation of meticulous principles, NASCAR-level expertise and extensive marketing knowledge, Farbo Motorsports rises above its competitors on the track, as well as off. For more information, visit our website at: www.farbomotorsports.com

About Andrew Smith:

Andrew Smith competes in numerous racing series across the United States, including the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, INEX Legends Series, SCCA and NASA, as well as in dirt Late Models at tracks across the Southeast. Follow Andrew at his website – www.andrewsmithracing.com.

- Andrew Smith Racing, Inc. Press Release

Mooresville, NC (June 28, 2010) … It’s been nothing short of a miracle,
but Carl Long and the Fleur-De-Lis Motorsports team are ready for their
NASCAR Nationwide Series debut in the Subway Jalapeno 250 powered by
Coca-Cola at the Daytona International Speedway on July 2nd.

Fleur-De-Lis Motorsports was formed by Craig Partee to compete in the
four NASCAR Nationwide Series COT races in 2010. Partee, owner of
Fleur-De-Lis Construction in Seneca Falls, New York, has an extensive
background in motorsports as a driver in SCCA and a crewmember in the
NASCAR K&N East, Nationwide, and Sprint Cup Series. After months of
planning, Partee purchased a former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series COT
chassis from DEI, Inc. on Tuesday, June 1st. That same day, Partee
arranged a motor deal with Automotive Specialist Racing Engines.

With basically three men – Partee, Crew Chief Morris Van Vleet, and
driver Carl Long – the team cut the body off the car, fixed the roof,
and had the front horns and rear wheel hubs changed to meet NASCAR
requirements for the Nationwide Series COT. The car was taken to the
NASCAR Research & Development (R & D) Center for certification on
Monday, June 14th. Later that afternoon, the car was approved and taken
to the body shop for further preparation.

Van Vleet, Partee, and Long picked up the car from the body shop and took it to the paint shop on
Saturday, June 19th. They got their Chevrolet from the paint shop
Tuesday night, June 22nd, and began building the car in Van Vleet’s
Mooresville, North Carolina shop on Wednesday, June 23rd. Seven days
later on Tuesday, June 29th, Fleur-De-Lis Motorsports will unveil their
#68 Chevrolet at Daytona International Speedway. For those of you
counting, that’s 29 days from purchasing the chassis to rolling the
newly-finished Nationwide Series COT entry out of the hauler at
Daytona. That’s quite an accomplishment for three men with a dream.

Of course, this project would not have been possible without the
support of several businesses. Fleur-De-Lis Motorsports will have the
support of Marro’s Truck & Welding, A+ Plumbing and Heating,
Fleur-De-Lis Farms, Fleur-De-Lis Construction, and The Garlic Garage
for the Subway Jalapeno 250 at Daytona.

“It’s been a very hectic and fast-paced month,” Partee stated. “I’m
approaching this team just like I’ve done with my business – with long
hours and hard work. My company believes in “turning dreams into
reality” for home and business owners. I’ve turned my dreams into
reality with this race team, and I believe that I can do the same for
our team members, sponsors, and supporters.”

“I’m excited about the opportunity to drive for Craig (Partee) and
Fleur-De-Lis Motorsports,” Long added. “I’ve known Craig for several
years and have worked with Morris (Crew Chief Van Vleet) in the NASCAR
Camping World Truck Series this year in selected races. I know how hard
these guys have worked to make this dream come true. It’s really been a
‘labor of love’ for all of us.”

Practice for the Subway Jalapeno 250 powered by Coca-Cola begins at 1
PM on Wednesday, June 30th, and will continue Thursday with two more
sessions at 2 and 5:30 PM. Qualifying is 1 PM ET on Friday with the
100-lap, 250-mile race set to start at 8 PM ET.

- Fleur-De-Lis Motorsports Press Release

Universe Racing

Shortly before her first birthday, Alex was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a type of childhood cancer. By her second birthday, Alex was crawling and able to stand up with leg braces. She worked hard to gain strength and to learn how to walk. She appeared to be beating the odds, until the shattering discovery within the next year that her tumors had started growing again. In the year 2000, the day after her fourth birthday, Alex received a stem cell transplant and informed her mother, “When I get out of the hospital I want to have a lemonade stand”. She said she wanted to give the money to the doctors to help them find a cure. True to her word, she held her first lemonade stand later that year and raised an amazing $2000 for what she called “her hospital”.

Throughout the latter stages of her battle with the horrible disease, Alex had raised over $1 million to help find a cure. Alex’s family-including brothers Patrick, Eddie, and Joey and supporters are committed to continuing her inspiring legacy through Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.

Supporting the effort that Alex started nearly ten years ago, Fox, of Hazelton, PA instantly decided to donate to the cause through his racing efforts. In conjunction with Universe Racing, Fox promised to donate $1 for each lap that he completes while driving the Universe Racing/FireHouse Dodge Charger in ARCA Racing Series prented by RE/MAX and Menards this season. Aside from the nationally acclaimed series Fox also competes in the populat Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) road racing events and plans to match the same amount for those races as well.

“I’m very fortunate to have the opportunities that I do in racing”, said Fox. “As soon as I heard about Alex’s Lemonade Stand I knew that this would be the charity that the race team and I need to not only support, but also help promote”. He continued, “Working with Alex’s family on such a great cause is an honor”.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand provides a meaningful and fun way to make a difference in the lives of others. As Alex once said, “holding your own Alex’s Lemonade Stand is easy and fun!” It is also an inspiring way for caring people of all ages to support our mission of curing childhood cancer, one cup at a time!

Please visit www.alexslemonade.org to read more regarding Alex’s Lemonade Stand. Donations are accepted through the website. Universe Racing can also be visited on the web at www.universeracing.net.

- Universe Racing Press Release

Win-Tron Racing Logo

Palm Beach is a new track to the ARCA Racing Series circuit and while that course could be a setback to some, the Lakeville, Minnesota team is grasping the opportunity as a chance to emerge with their road racing ace behind the wheel.

Marks, 28, cut his teeth on road courses in divisions such as SCCA regional and national road racing, Speed World Challenge GT Championship, Touring Car and Grand-Am Cup and the Rolex Sports Car Series. He’s also earned four wins and five poles in Grand-Am Cup and finished third in Rolex Sports Car Series points in 2004.

With his road course background and the team’s ever-growing confidence – it would be an understatement if the team wasn’t on everyone’s short list as the track’s inaugural ARCA winner. Following Daytona, the team took advantage of an open test to help give them an indication of what they would be in for this weekend.

“Palm Beach is a good example of what a lot of new tracks are going to these days,” said Marks. “The track itself is very smooth and was paved with the right aggregate to create a surface that’s very raceable and seems to take rubber down and grip up. There’s a lot of grip.

“The layout is great because it has a few technical sections that can be approached differently depending on the type of car and how your car is handling. Also, and most importantly, it has a few good passing zones and a few places that you can really set someone up and make a pass. It’s important to have technical corners that lead to passing zones and they’ve done a good job of that. It should be a good treat for the fans.”

Sitting just outside the top-10 in the ARCA Racing Series point standings, a clean solid run would be the ammunition the team would use to move up the ladder until the next race in April.

“We’re off to a solid start,” added Marks. “I’m enjoying being part of this Win-Tron Racing team. It’s a real honor to work with Mike (Chaffee, crew chief). “He’s very even-tempered, has a lot of experience, is low key and doesn’t get emotional. He’s won a lot of races and knows how to prepare, show up, do the job, and go home to work on doing it better next time. That’s the type of guy I want sitting atop of the pit box.”

Win-Tron Racing co-owner and general manager Nate Thiesse is excited to see what the weekend may bring for his operation. “I don’t think we could have a better driver for Saturday than Justin. He is smart when it comes to these road courses. He knows what it takes to stay out of trouble, be easy on the equipment and be around when it’s go time.”

From 2005 to 2009, Justin Marks has competed in 42 ARCA Racing Series events presented by RE/MAX and Menards events collecting five top-five finishes and mounting 13 top-10 efforts. He has also collected two pole positions including a New Track Record (NTR) at Kansas Speedway in 2007. Marks career best finish is second which has occurred twice at The Milwaukee Mile (2007) and Chicagoland Speedway (2007). He has led the field for 136 laps in five races. He finished fifth in the ARCA Racing Series championship point standings in his lone season of full-time ARCA competition in 2007.

Entering Palm Beach, Win-Tron Racing holds the 11th position in the ARCA RE/MAX Series owner’s standings after one race. Car owner Kevin Cywinski is 60 markers from the top spot held by fellow car owner Bill Gerhart (No. 5). Just five markers keep Cywinski from the 10th position controlled by car owner Bill Venturini (No. 55).

The Tire Kingdom 150 presented by ModSpace (75 laps / 150 miles) is the second of 20 events on the 2010 ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards schedule. The first ARCA race held at Palm Beach is a two day show. Practice begins Friday, February 26 with a three hour practice session planned from 11:30a.m.- 2:30 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for later in the day Friday, February 26 slated to begin at 4:00 p.m. The event will take the green flag on Saturday, February 27 shortly after 1:00 p.m. The race will not be televised but race coverage including live timing and scoring and radio broadcast will be available through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com. All times are local.

Further information including sponsorship opportunities with Win-Tron Racing is available by visiting win-tronracing.com or contacting Nate Thiesse at 952.469.1839.

For more on Justin Marks please visit, JustinMarksRacing.com.

Be sure to get personal with Justin Marks by following him on Twitter at Twitter.com/justin_racing.

- Win-Tron Racing Press ReleaseD

Racing To The Green @ Watkins Glen International

“What started in 1948 as a lark is a major industry now,” said Jean Argetsinger. “Cameron and I have been so proud of what racing has done for the community, and for what Watkins Glen has come to mean to the sport. Cameron’s first interest was as a competitor, and despite becoming best known as an organizer and promoter, he never lost his driver’s perspective and enthusiasm.”

“It is with great honor that I am able to sit here today to recognize the Argetsinger’s as pillars of our community and the track,” stated Printup. “It is though their original vision of racing in the streets that began WGI’s racing legacy as one of the most premier road courses in the United States.”

Cameron R. Argetsinger, a Youngstown, Ohio native, dreamed or racing through the streets of Watkins Glen due to the area’s tough terrain. He hoped to design a circuit similar in spirit to the course in Nurburgring, Germany. In 1946, he joined SCCA as a subscriber and in 1948 joined as a full-time member. He spent the winter of 1947 laying out the Watkins Glen street course. On October 2, 1948, Watkins Glen hosted its first SCCA race. By 1950, the event had an estimated crowd of 125,000 spectators. In the early events, Cameron not only acted as race chairman, but was also a competitor. He competed in the 1948, 1949, 1950 and 1953 Watkins Glen Grand Prix races, recording two top-ten finishes and a best finish of 5th overall in the 1953 event.

After a fatal accident in 1952, the Argetsingers and Grand Prix Committee agreed that for racing to stay in Watkins Glen, it would need to move to a safer circuit. Cameron, then a member of the Board of Directors of the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Corporation, began working immediately to move racing to an enclosed circuit. A 4.6-mile temporary course opened in 1953 and was used until construction finished on a permanent course in 1956. The permanent course was a 2.3-mile circuit, which has since been expanded to the 3.4/2.45-mile variation that is Watkins Glen International today. In 1958, Argetsinger was names Executive Director of the Grand Prix Corporation. The Argetsinger family was also instrumental in bringing Formula One Racing to Watkins Glen International in 1961. Following a disagreement with the board, Cameron Argetsinger stepped down as the executive director of the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Corporation in 1969.

After he stepped down from the GP Corp., Cameron held a variety of leadership positions in motorsports, many of which focused specifically sports car racing. The family remained instrumental in Watkins Glen’s racing heritage by establishing the International Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen, NY. The research library, which opened in 1998, is focused on the history of racing in the village of Watkins Glen. Cameron died on April 23, 2008, just as the village of Watkins Glen was preparing to celebrate its 60th anniversary of racing.

Tickets for the entire 2009 season at Watkins Glen International are on sale now! Celebrate the Fourth of July with the 5th Annual Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen weekend, July 3-5. On-track action will be headlined by the IndyCar Series, Firestone Indy Lights, F2000 Championship Series and the SCCA SPEED World Challenge. Weekend tickets begin at just $55, and general admission for kids 12 and under is FREE when accompanied by an adult. For tickets and information, please contact the Watkins Glen International ticket office at 866-461-RACE or log on to the official Watkins Glen International website at www.TheGlen.com. Tickets, gift certificates and track merchandise can be all purchased at The Shop located at 2 North Franklin Street in downtown Watkins Glen-Open Monday-Friday 9-5, Saturday 9-4, Closed Sunday; 607-535-2338.

-  Watkins Glen International, Press Release

WATKINS GLEN, NY (April 23, 2009) – Of the eight former Mark Donohue cars coming to Opening Day at Watkins Glen International on Sunday, April 26th, the1974 Porsche 917/30-004 is the only one he never drove in competition, but this does not make it any less famous or significant. The 1974 version of the famed “Can-Am Killer” will be on display for fans to take pictures and will allow them to get up close and personal to probably the most famous Can-Am car never to race in the series. Opening Day is also the last day to take advantage of the advance sale ticket prices for any 2009 racing event held at the racetrack this summer.

Coming off of a dominating 1973 Can-Am season during which Donohue won every race but one in his Porsche 917/30, Porsche began working on a new version for the 1974 season. Not long after the car was completed, SCCA officials decided to make a rule change and imposed fuel limitations on all competitors in reaction to the Arab Oil Embargo on Western countries. Porsche, Penske, and Donohue had put a great deal of effort into building the 917/30 and felt the new regulations would diminish the competiveness of the car. The group had already begun considering other endeavors in motorsports due to their overwhelming success in Can-Am and this fact combined with the belief that they would no longer be as competitive, lead to the decision to leave the series. So despite the fact that the new car was ready for competition, it would never see the track in Can-Am competition.

The timing of Penske’s decision to leave the series coupled with the demise of the series itself only a year later, lead to two incorrect assumptions. The first being that Can-Am banned the Porsche 917/30 due to its dominance of the series during the 1973 season. This theory was disproved by Brian Redman racing a 1973 Porsche 917/30 in one race during the 1974 season. The demise of the series shortly after Donohue’s dominance caused many to name the 917/30 the “Can-Am Killer” but the cancelation of the series was largely due to other factors. McLaren chose to leave the series at the same time as Penske and in 1974, while other sponsors and supplies continued the exodus which resulted in the series being cancelled following that season.

Opening Day at WGI will feature a full day of on-track activity and the official release of the new Mark Donohue biography titled Mark Donohue: Technical Excellence at Speed from

David Bull Publishing authored by Michael Argetsinger with a foreword by legendary car owner Roger Penske. Two versions of the new book will be available to purchase at the track, including the publisher’s edition for $99.95, and the regular edition for $39.95. In addition to the “Can-Am Killer,” the seven other cars currently scheduled to appear are the rare 1973 Penske PC-1/003 Formula 1 car, 1973 Eagle-Offy Indy Car, 1967 Trans-Am Camaro, 1965 Shelby GT-350R, 1970 Elva Courier, and two Lola T70 Can-Am cars.

For only $20, fans can drive three laps around the same turns as Mark Donohue and many legends of Motorsports on Opening Day. Gates will open at 9:00am with laps starting at 10:00am and ending at 3:00pm including a half hour break for the Mark Donohue Tribute Laps at noon. Proceeds from Opening Day will benefit the International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC). Additional information on the weekend’s activities can be found either at the Center’s website www.racingarchives.org or the Watkins Glen International website, www.TheGlen.com.

Tickets for the entire 2009 season at Watkins Glen International are on sale now! For tickets and information, please contact the WGI ticket office at 866-461-RACE or log on to the official Watkins Glen website at www.TheGlen.com. Tickets, gift certificates and track merchandise can be all purchased at The Shop located at 2 North Franklin Street in downtown Watkins Glen, Open Monday-Friday 9-5, Saturday 9-4, Closed Sunday; 607-535-2338.

- Watkins Glen International, Press Release

When I am asked this question, sadly I have to respond, he WAS a great race car driver.

A lot of the so called “next generation” of young people have no idea who Mark Donohue was, or what accomplishment’s Donohue achieved while he was among us. I recommend that the younger generation should check out ESPN2′s “Glory Days” programs. Speedvision also has similar programs that go back to the vintage racing of yester-year as well, and can enlighten anyone to the early years of racing.

August 19th marks twenty-five years ago that Mark Donohue passed away from brain trauma, which was caused from an accident while practicing for a Formula 1 event.

Some of his most notable accomplishments included being the Indy 500 rookie-of-the-year, Trans AM champion and a winner in The 24 Hours of Daytona all in 1969. He was the 1972 Indy 500 winner, and a year later strapped himself into a Grand National stock car (NASCAR Winston Cup now) winning at Riverside. In 1974 Donohue won the inaugural IROC Championship. In 1975 (same year that he passed away) Donohue established the Worlds Closed Course Speed Record at Talladega.

In the 1974 IROC championship, Donohue won three of the four events that were run. Dale Earnhardt accomplished the same just this year, with winning three of the four events. The difference back then was that some of the IROC events included road courses.

Unfortunately I myself am too young to remember a lot about Mark Donohue. However; I did get to meet him in 1967 at the ripe young age of six months old. My Mother and I ran into Mark at a bank in New Jersey right after he won a race, where he had his winnings in a bag ready for deposit.

Before Donohue went full time as a professional driver for Roger Penske in the mid sixties, Donohue was an engineer for Pulverizing Machinery. Pulverizing Machinery provided machinery that liquefied products. Some of the contracts where with Hershey, Dupont, and makers of Palmolive to name a few. Donohue’s job was to go out to these different clients, show them how to work the machinery and to assist when the clients had problems running the equipment.

One of his stories comes from visiting the Hershey Plant, and I am thankful that there are health inspections now. But back then things were different and not as regulated as they are now, and I am sure you can imagine (without me going into gross details) how sugar looked when it came in by train boxcars. All I will say is that I hope this is not how they came about with the crunchy type of chocolate bars.

My main source of information about Donohue’s pre-professional racing years comes from my Mother, who was a friend and co-worker of Donohue’s. According to my Mother, Donohue was a little shy, had a silly sense of humor (At Pulverizing Machinery, Donohue’s sense of humor earned him the nickname of “Giggles”) and was a keep to himself type of person. But one thing for sure was that he was hell on wheels with a heavy foot.

One story she shared was of Donohue losing his driver’s license for too many speeding tickets, he would have lost his license sooner if it wasn’t for playing musical car seats with his, at that time, wife to be Sue. Mark told Mom that he and Sue had gotten the procedure down where they would exchange seats before the pursuing officer caught up to them. Unfortunately Sue wasn’t there when he got his last ticket that caused him to lose his license, and ended up having to get my Mother to drive him to and from work. At this time Mom got to know him well from their conversations, and even had the privilege of being invited to Donohue’s wedding to Sue.

Donohue also shared with my Mother something that very few people knew (and is not well known to this day) which was his middle name Neary. Donohue was not very fond of his name, and at that time that she ran into him at the bank with me, he just shooked his head and rolled his eyes when she told him my name was Mark (at least she didn’t name me Neary).

Donohue’s charisma carried on over into his professional racing career as he was loved and liked by his fellow driving peers. He went from the “giggles” nickname at Pulverizing Machinery to “Captain Nice” in his professional racing endeavor.

I may not be old enough to remember Donohue and all of his accomplishments first hand, but unfortunately I do remember that day he wrecked while practicing for the Formula One Austrian GP.

While practicing for the Austrian GP, a tire thought to have deflated pitched Donohue’s car into the catch fencing and over a barrier, killing a Marshall, injuring another. Although apparently unharmed, he later lapsed into unconsciousness. Due to swelling of the brain, Mark “Captain Nice” Neary Donohue died three days later in Gaz Hospital despite brain surgery.

To this day I am sure that Roger Penske owes a lot of gratitude towards the foundation that was laid by Mark Donohue with his accomplishments and success that he brought to Penske Racing.

Jay Remembers Donohue…

Hi, this is Jayski, I started following Mark Donohue in the late 1960′s when I was a tyke. When he won the Indy 500 on May 29, 1972 with an average speed of 162.962mph, I was in heaven.

I met Mark in the Pocono’s at the Split Rock Lodge not far from the Pocono International Raceway, where I was attending time trials for the now defunct Indy Pocono 500. He and Roger Penske stopped by to have dinner at Split Rock, where my family was staying. My Dad bought Mark and Roger a drink and they motioned me to come over. Mark signed my Pocono 500 brochure. It was very cool and he talked to me for a few minutes.

It was ironic that I was staying at Split Rock a few years later when he died after practicing an F-1 car for the Austrian Grand Prix on August 19, 1975. TV Auto Racing being sketchy at best in 1975, I hadn’t even known he had an accident until after my Dad broke the news of his death. Mark Donohue was 38 and a sports car champion and 1972 Indianapolis 500 winner. He died from severe head injuries sustained August 16 in practice for the Austrian Grand Prix at Graz, Austria.

I never saw any of Mark’s Winston Cup races as not many NASCAR races were seen on TV up here in NJ, except on ABC’s Wide World of Sports in small tape delayed segments. I think of him often on his birthday, when the Indy 500 is run and when this date pops up.

From Paul Powell of www.unfairadvantageracing.com:

25 years ago… August 19th, 1975�I was sitting at a friends house talking to a couple of people not really paying attention to what was on the television when I heard Mark’s name being mentioned that he had had a bad accident while practicing at the Austrian GP and he had died…They couldn’t have been talking about my friend and mentor Mark Donohue could they?

That is what went thru my mind at that very instant…and it seems so fresh in my mind like it happened yesterday. As I sit and reflect right now I still get goose bumps and so many memories rush into my mind at once.

As a kid growing up, both of my parents were active Sports Car Club of America members and we as a family went to a lot of races. I had read a lot about Mark Donohue before I ever met him and he quickly became my favorite driver to watch. One Saturday night during the TransAm weekend at Elkart Lake we were having dinner at Millers Steakhouse with Don and Ruth Nixon from the sports car club. I did a double take as I saw Mark Donohue and Roger Penske walk in. I must have had my mouth wide open when they looked around the crowded restaurant and walked our way. Mark had known our friends when running in the Ford GT program at Lemans the year before in which they did the timing and scoring for Ford Motor Company. Mark sat next to me and I was in instant heaven, face to face with my idol. As everyone was talking about the weekend and racing Mark sat and talked to me the entire evening and listened intently of my plans to be a race driver some day. Little did I know at the time, but that dinner together made a life long bond that will never be forgotten.

Whenever we went to the races and Mark was there, he always made a point to say hi and he spoke to me even when I knew he was much too busy to talk to a silly teenager. I lived within an hour of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway when Penske was running at the track with Mark. In 1971 they had the hot setup and were becoming known to the world. I had told some friends I knew Mark Donohue, and as typical kids they didn’t take it very seriously. A few of us decided to ditch school one day and go watch practice at the track. I wanted to prove to them I knew Mark. We leaned against the fence for what seemed like hours as they worked on Mark’s car dialing in more speed, with Mark never getting out of the car. I didn’t think he would ever get out of the car and notice me. When he finally did, a couple of people behind me yelled his name for autographs. He looked our way and gave me this stern look as he walked towards us. I was so excited to finally get to see him, and all he wanted to know is why I was out of school and if my parents knew I was at the track. I was stunned and admitted I was ditching school. He was not happy with me. In fact my friends who were with me didn’t much care for him after I told them what a neat guy he was before we arrived at the track. As it turned out I had to go home and tell on myself and we all got into big trouble.

In 1974 I was at Road Atlanta for the Sports Car Club of America run offs and Mark was there as the Grand Marshall. He had retired from racing and seemed quite unhappy when I saw him. He had taken a job with Penske Racing as the General Manager and did not like it all that much. I was having one of those weekends I would assume forget when Mark drove up in his 12 cylinder XKE that he was driving for the weekend. He talked and helped me with a couple of issues I had with the car that I was having trouble with. Mark invited me for dinner, which I had to decline. I had too much to do for the next day to prepare for my race. I remember him waving bye and having that silly grin of his face telling me to cheer up and he would be seeing me later. That would be the last time I ever saw Mark.

At the time of his death it had been almost a year since I had spoken to him. And I took it for granted that he would always be there. Now at 46 years old I still feel the same way. He was the best of the best and nobody will ever replace my friend and mentor. He made me realize how precious life can be and how fast it can be taken away.

From Another Donohue Fan:

I was with Mark and the Porsche team that Sunday in Riverside when he won the 1973 Can Am race/championship in the 917/30 and the inaugural IROC series finale in the Porsche 911 RSR….and announced his retirement from racing at the age of 36.

At the time I had just finished my Bachelor’s degree at UC Riverside and was beginning law school. To finance my education I worked as a bartender at the Cask n Cleaver Restaurant on University Avenue. As an avid racing fan this job had one perk that was almost better than the money I earned: Cask n Cleaver was a favorite hangout of the racing crowd who were in town for the races being run at Riverside International Raceway, which was about 4-5 miles east of the University off of Hwy 60.

Over the year or so that I bartended at the Cask I was privileged to meet and/or serve the likes of Brian Redmond, Jim Hall, Bobby Unser, Cale Yarborough, Mario Andretti, Roger Penske and, most thrilling of all, Mark Donohue.

The Cask was a favorite after-race meeting place for Mark and Roger Penske.

On that memorable Sunday in ’73 I had gone to the races and had witnessed Mark win first the IROC race in the RSR, and then later that afternoon the final Can Am race of the year in what I personally still consider the most awesome race car ever to run a track, the Porsche 917-30.

After the races were over I ran home to Redlands, showered and changed and drove over to the Cask n Cleaver. I was the only bartender on duty that evening.

Because he had done so many times in the past, we expected Roger and Mark to come in for dinner sometime that evening and we were all excited, especially given the historical events that had taken place at RIR that day.

However, neither Mark nor Roger showed up during the normal dinner hour. Just before I decided to close the restaurant (as bartender, I was also surrogate manager when he was gone, as was the case that evening) at around 10 P.M., the dinner rush being over and almost all the customers gone, Roger Penske came in looking for Mark. I told Penske that Mark had not shown up, and he then left to look elsewhere–driving of all things a giant motorhome.

After he left I locked the front door and began my cleanup. The waiters and cooks were doing their own clean up procedures when I heard a knock at the front door.

Opening the door I found myself facing Mark Donohue and several other men whom I did not recognize. I related that Penske had come and gone and that we were closed. Mark seemed quite disappointed and he and the others walked across the parking lot to the Bob’s Big Boy restaurant which was next door.

A couple minutes later my assistant manager came in and I told him about Donohue going next door. Thankfully, he ran next door without hesitation and a few minutes later returned with Mark and the others following behind. We hurriedly turned the grill back on, took down some chairs from table in the dining room and I reopened the bar.

Mark was so appreciative of our doing this for him that he invited all of us who were still there to join him and his guests–the entire Porsche factory technical team–for dinner, on him.

We set several table together to make a long banquet-style table and brought out several flasks of wine which we passed around the table. As it turned out, Mark sat at the head of the table with Porsche personnel, cook, waiters and the assistant manager down either side, and I sat at the foot of the table, looking straight ahead at Mark.

The steaks were brought out and the wine flowed freely as we quickly were able to relax and have a great time with these people, and with my hero Mark Donohue. I have to say that it wasn’t long before I was able to proclaim that I was drunk, right along with my hero. As you might imagine, most of the talk was of racing, the IROC, Can Am, and, given the fact that he’d just announced his retirement from racing a few hours before, reminiscences about Mark’s career.

I asked him why, given his success in every major form of American racing, he hadn’t tried Formula One, and he told me that he was 36 years old, and that to put together a competitive F1 team would probably take 2-4 years, and he just thought that by then he’d be too old to be racing at that level.

I didn’t believe it; I thought he could do anything he set his mind to doing.

That he subsequently changed his mind and gave it a shot is, of course, tragic. For some years I had the irrational idea that I’d planted a seed and had some small part in his ultimate death. Given his competitive spirit, of course, I know he would have done exactly what he did, even had he appreciated that he might be putting his life at risk.

I still have the clipping from the L.A. Times announcing his death in the Formula race trials two years after my dinner with Mark Donohue.

I’ll never forget how friendly and unassuming that man was, and how generous he was to a bunch of college-aged restaurant workers in Riverside in 1973.

In closing, Mark you may be gone, but with Jay, other Mark Donohue fans, and myself you are definitely not forgotten!

- R. Mark Stiles , Jay Adamczyk – Jayski & Paul Powell – Unfairadvantageracing.com