Martinsville II: Dean Motorsports Martinsville preview

MANASSAS, VA -In February Jim Dean told his sponsors that not only would Mark McFarland win the track championship at Old Dominion Speedway, he assured the team's two main sponsors - Popeye's Chicken and the Washington Metro Dodge Dealers - that the team would win the National NASCAR Weekly racing Series Championship.

Roll the clock ahead to October, 2003: Jim and Mark delivered the title in such deliberate fashion that it paved the way for Dean's next racing move - Dean Motorsports will venture into the highly competitive NASCAR Craftsmen Truck Series (NCTS) on Oct. 18, campaigning the No. 55 Dodge Ram Pickup at Martinsville.

With limited funding, Jim Dean again is making the bold statement that he has a top-10 truck.

Dean stated, "The combination of Dean Motorsports and Mark McFarland has so much momentum. We want to show the truck series that we can field a highly competitive team from our Manassas, Va., race shop. Mark did well in Richmond driving Bobby Dotter's Chevrolet, but our decision to stay with Dodge was easy. We have 90 percent of the 2003 Dodge Late Model wins. We feel we can maintain that same level of competitiveness in the NCTS."

Mark McFarland, who finished fourth in the very competitive Taco Bell 300 for Late Model Stock Cars at Martinsville on Oct.5, stated, "I know my way around Martinsville. I like the track and know how tough passing will be. I hope to qualify our truck up front."

Dean is not sure if he will be able to find the funding for the rest of the season, but stated, "We have a lot of people working in our corner talking to potential marketing partners. I feel sure we will find the necessary funds needed to run the entire 2004 season."

More information will be released regarding specifications on the No. 55 truck, engine and pit crew that will compete at Martinsville.

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