June 12th, 2003 Racing

Round one of the Triple Crown races was on tap for the evening at Wisconsin International Raceway for Thursday Night Thunder. Mark started the night off by setting fast time, his first lap was a 19.7, he turned a 19.618 second lap. There were no dash races run this evening, as there were 3 heats. Mark started in the back of the fast heat and after 5 laps he pulled into the pits, it wasn't worth the chance of wrecking the car before the feature. In the feature event it was a night of coming from the back 2 times. Mark started 9th (inside row 5), the field was really bunched up with no where to go. It appeared the outside line was moving as Mark moved high and went around the outside. Mark was doing battle with John Meidam, trying to pass him high and low, he was able to get under him heading into turn 3. The car on the ouside came down on Mark causing a caution and damage to the car. After a trip to the pits to make sure all the suspension and everyone was ok, Mark was back on the track in time for the green flag. Mark charged through the field and was in the top 10, when a caution came out for debris that had fallen off Mark's car. During the caution Mark came into the pits as his fender was about to fall off. After some quick repairs he joined the field in the back again. He challenged and found hard to move forward, by now the tires were definately getting worn out. Mark fought hard and brought the car home 7th! See you Saturday at the Red race at WIR!

Qualifying - 1st, 19.618
Heat - 6th
Feature - 7th
Points - 3rd, 30 points back