BUSCH: Cup driver Martin returns for Michigan

Martin Back in The Busch Series

Mark Martin will make his return to the Busch Series at Michigan in the Cabela's 250. Martin last raced in the series in 2000. He originally planned to return to the series earlier this year at Daytona, but failed to qualify for the event after a problem with the car during qualifying.

THE CAR - RK-15
The team will run RK-15 this weekend at Michigan. The car finished third at Chicago with Jeff Burton at the wheel and 4th at California with Matt Kenseth driving.

IN THE BUSCH SERIES
Martin made a name for himself in the Busch Series, taking a series record 45 checkered-flags from 1987 until he retired from the series in 2000. All in all Martin ran 200 races during that span, collecting 126 top 10 and 93 top-five finishes. During that period Martin won 23 percent of all the Busch races he entered and finished inside the top 10 sixty-four percent of the time. Martin has led 7,736 laps

RECORD 45 CAREER VICTORIES
Martin will be going for his record-extending 46th win in the Busch series. Martin's first win in the Busch series came on May 30, 1987 at Dover. His last win in a Busch car was on Sept. 2, 2000 at Darlington. Despite running a limited schedule of 15 races or less, Martin won at least two Busch races from 1993-2000, including six win seasons in '92, '96, '97 and '99.

200 AND COUNTING
Martin will be making his 201st start in a Busch race. Martin's first start in the Busch series came on Aug. 13, 1982, his last start was a second place finish at Homestead in 2000.

HOLY HORSEPOWER BATMAN
As part of the weekend long Justice League promotion, Martin will be powering the No. 9 Pennzoil/Batman Ford in Saturday's Busch race. Matt Kenseth (Martian Manhunter) and Greg Biffle (Flash) will also be running special JL paint schems in the race.

PENNZOIL AND ROUSH
Pennzoil first sponsored Jack Roush in the 1960's, when the former Ford Motor Company engineer was a driver himself. This season Pennzoil is proud to once again team up with Jack Roush as sponsor of all five 2004 Roush Racing Nextel Cup teams as well as a NASCAR Busch Series "Pennzoil Super Team."

QUOTING MARK ON THE RETURN TO THE BUSCH SERIES
"I'm excited about running the Busch race. It's been a while and it will be good to get back out there and see what we can do. Michigan is one of my favorite tracks and we are excited about pulling double duty this weekend. Hopefully we can get us another Busch win in that Pennzoil/Batman car."

Mark Martin Fast Facts - Michigan

* Martin has two wins, four top fives and six top 10's in seven starts at Michigan.
* Martin will be making his 201st career Busch start.
* Martin's 45 Busch wins are a series record.

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