MARKS: California a True Test
02-21-2008 2:13 pm

Justin Marks, of Rocklin, Cal., started his Raybestos Rookie of the Year campaign in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with a top-ten finish and highest-finishing rookie award in the season opener last Friday night. He and the #9 Crocs Tundra team bring this momentum to California Speedway for Saturday's San Bernardino County 200, a track where Marks has never raced on the oval course. 

"We have momentum on our side after Daytona. We accomplished all the goals we set out to accomplish in the #9 Tundra, now we take our co-primary sponsor, Crocs, to their first race of the season at California Speedway," said Marks, of Rocklin, Cal.  "We definitely had a Tundra capable of winning the race last weekend, and from what we learned in our Atlanta test before the season began, the team and me, we have high confidence in the Crocs Tundra for Saturday's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race."

Preparing for a track that the driver has never raced could be tricky, but pre-season work and specific goals help Marks and the crew in getting set for California. 

"We had a pretty decent test at Atlanta. With what we worked on and what Jason Overstreet (crew chief) and I talked about, I have an idea of what to expect on the oval course at California Speedway," said Marks. "This will be one of the first tests for me as a driver this season because it's a race track that has qualities that are similar to tracks I will see the rest of the season.  Our goal is the same it's been, to finish this race in the top ten and to continue to learn.  Racing in my homestate, coming off a strong run at Daytona, I'm definitely excited. Bringing Crocs to California Speedway is a bonus - they've been great supporters of my career and I hope to give them a strong show on Saturday."

In addition to Truck Series competition, Marks and Germain Racing competed in the ARCA RE/MAX Series season opener at Daytona, with Marks starting from the pole position.  Marks is planning to run again in ARCA when the series races at Rockingham Speedway. More races could make it on the schedule if sponsorship needs are met.

Germain Racing has won two or more races each year for a total of 14 wins. Along with the victories, the team earned 4 Bud Pole awards, 55 top-five and 83 top-ten finishes and led 1330 laps in 154 Truck Series races.