Justin Marks Showing Maturity With Shaver Motorsports
Justin Marks Showing Maturity With Shaver Motorsports CONCORD, North Carolina (Wednesday, June 21, 2006) - - He’s only been with Shaver Motorsports for three races between 2005 and 2006, but road racing ace Justin Marks is quickly coming into his niche and fast in the ARCA RE/MAX Series. Marks, part of the Shaver Motorsports Driver Development program has overcome the rookie hurdles with guidance from crew chief Jeff Buice. In just his second Superspeedway race of his ARCA career, Marks collected his first top-ten finish (10th) at Michigan International Speedway last Friday. Things didn’t start so great, but with any rookie, they don’t always show their full steam until the end. After battling a very tight racecar for a majority of the event, Marks with Buice on the radio were able to charge through the pack and put Shaver Motorsports back in the top-ten where they belong. A week earlier, Marks appeared to be producing a career run at Pocono Raceway but contact with another competitor late in the race destroyed those chances, leaving the door open for redemption at Michigan. In everyone’s opinion, he excelled. “I’m really happy with the Michigan finish,�?? said Marks who is also a factory driver for BMW of North America in the American Le Mans Series' GT2 class. “I didn’t really know what to expect when I arrived at Michigan last week. I struggled in practice and we didn’t have the best outing in qualifying. However, I was comfortable in race trim and I continued to fight and we ended up with a top-ten finish, the entire team really impressed me.�?? The 22-year old phenomenon continued, “I wouldn’t have been able to get that finish if it wasn’t for Jeff Buice and the Shaver Motorsports team. We haven ’t raced a whole lot together, but we work well together and I think we’re exceeding our early goals.�?? Last October, Marks burst into the ARCA world at Talladega Superspeedway. Thundering horsepower with the powerful Shaver Motorsports restrictor plate program, Marks practiced both sessions inside the top-12 before boasting a fifth place qualifying effort. A threat from the start of the race considered the rookie as a sleeper, but obstacles near the end of the event left a sour 21st place finish in his mouth. “Talladega was a lot of fun, but I’m really enjoying running the tracks of Pocono and Michigan. There is a lot of difference between all three tracks, but I’m just trying to learn. That’s what it is all about. I know that Jeff is going to help me in every way as we continue to progress this season. Shaver Motorsports has a great program and I know with a little more time and testing, we can be winners.�?? Spy Optics and No Fear are aiding Marks in the sponsorship department allowing him to compete with the upcoming stars of NASCAR. “All of our sponsors are doing everything they can to help us and we’re showing them what we are capable of,�?? added Marks. “I really think the car is one of the best looking on the track and we’re looking forward to running more races with them this season.�?? Next up for Marks and the Shaver Motorsports team is open test session at Kentucky Speedway followed by the race next month. While Marks will make his debut at the 1.5-mile Speedway, Shaver Motorsports has previous experience at the Sparta, Kentucky based track. “We are really looking forward to Kentucky,�?? Marks commented. “I know that Jeff will provide me with a car capable of running upfront. In practice we’ ll try to dial in our car while trying to get me as much seat time as possible. Right now I don’t have a lot of that. That’s the biggest thing against me and what we’re fighting. We can’t always control what happens in the race, but I’ll do the best I can and I just want to do a good job for my sponsors and team who allow me to do what I love.�?? Following Kentucky, Marks and the No. 2 Shaver Motorsports team will run four more events on the ARCA schedule at Gateway, Nashville, Chicagoland and Talladega. For more information on this upcoming talent, please visit _http://www.justinmarksracing.com_ (http://www.justinmarksracing.com/) DATE: June 21st, 2006 NAME: Chris Knight, Justin Marks Racing PHONE: 734-674-9108 EMAIL: _knight849@aol.com_ (mailto:knight849@aol.com)