USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series

Photos and story © 2005 Dwight Drum
Web work by Gary Larsen

Mark McFarland

Driver, No. 32 stock car

"We're not happy unless we're winning."

Mark McFarland broke the mode in JR Motorsports history. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Martin Truex Jr. continue the family name with a junior attached. McFarland carries the family name forward, but not as a junior. If for a moment anyone suspects that's a handicap because he isn't the junior to the third power in the J2 symbol for JR Motorsports, they need only watch him race. If anyone wonders why Dale Jr. picked "McFactor" they need only follow his progress. McFarland has late model success and has been a standout in the highly competitive Hooters Pro Cup Series. He will move up to the NASCAR Busch Series to fill the seat vacated by Martin Truex Jr. as Truex moves up to the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has proven that he can drive a race car, but has shown too he is equally skilled at choosing drivers to join his top team efforts. Truex Jr. has a mellow demeanor that vaporizes when he applies his competitive thrust behind the wheel. Truex Jr. also seems to have an internal magnet for winner circles. McFarland has a quiet and dedicated work ethic that shows up when he slides into a race car and grabs the wheel. McFarland seems to be quietly but relentlessly seeking the mastery of the internal magnet for winner circles like Truex Jr.

Come to think of it, Mark McFarland (M.M.) is M squared or M2. So maybe he does fit the J2 number mode. He's also likely to add to the winning equation that seems to be a JR Motorsports tradition. McFarland is worth watching. He's also worth your attention with his honest and quick answers to our Zoomster questions.

Time: Late season 2005
Place: USA International Speedway, Lakeland, Fla.

Dwight asked Mark McFarland:

"I don't know. I started driving Junior's late models in Virginia and North Carolina. He decided to move the team up. He decided to go to the Hooters Pro Cup Series and I did pretty well this year. Now we're looking forward to moving up to the Busch Series next year."

"I don't know - a lot of drive probably. We're not happy unless we're winning. It’s hard to make us stand aside, you know.”

“I like being competitive. We’ve got competitive things here. To go out there and beat somebody at what they’re doing best is a good feeling.”

“I started race go-karts when I was eight and moved up to late model stock cars. That’s probably when I knew that I wanted to be a race car driver. When I moved up to the late models and when I got my first win. That was a pretty good feeling.”

“Just how much time we put into this. It takes a lot of work. We don’t just show up on Saturdays and race. It’s a week-long job. Plus when we get here we’re working in the hot sun. Today we’ve really been working to change motors. A lot of people don’t see that. They see the car out there during the race and say hey they showed up to race. It’s different for a fan to come out to the pits and hang out for a day. ”

“A real highlight was when I won the 2003 Dodge Weekly Series NASCAR championship. It’s a good honor in late model stock racing. That’s about the best championship you can win. We’re proud of that. And just signing with junior – it’s been a privilege ever since the signing – driving for him all this year. I look forward to next year too.”

“I’m not really sure. I think because I work so hard and try to be the best. It’s not necessarily that you are the best every week or week out. There’s nobody who works any harder to be the best.”

“I hope not. I want to be competitive from now until I retire. I think that’s what keeps you going and keeps you interested in it. Competition in this series is so tight now. First of all you’ve got to make yourself better every week and that’s what keeps us going and keeps us motivated.”

“Most of the time we just race. Sometimes the guys like to make me mad before the race. It makes my job a little harder, but mostly I’ve got to be patient and forgiving. But you’ve got to be there at the end.”

“I do a lot of hunting. I like to fish. Anything outdoors. I like to stay at home.”

“It’s a good opportunity for all of us on the team. Most of us are moving up with the team. So signing with the Navy makes it that much better to have a sponsor like that. You get really involved in it and a lot of things are interesting. They’re not just a sponsor it’s something that you are a part of that involves a lot of people. ”