Mark Green Locks Up Top-Ten Finish in Daytona

Daytona Beach, Fla. (February 18, 2006) - In a crazy conclusion to Saturday afternoon’s NASCAR Busch Series race, veteran driver Mark Green captured a tenth place finish at Daytona International Speedway after a huge crash on the white flag lap left a trail of destruction in the Hershey’s Kissables 300.

“I don’t know what happened,” explained Mark Green after limping his GEICO Dodge across the finish line to claim tenth place in his first Busch Series race for the GEICO Racing team.  “Someone pushed and shoved the 77 and turned him around and caused a big wreck.  It sure is exciting for the fans but it’s a shame to tear your race car up 100 yards from the finish line.”

Green was the most improved driver in Saturday’s race, showcasing his veteran skills on the 2.5-mile tri-oval by picking up 31 spots in the event’s 120 laps. 

“Our GEICO Dodge wasn’t really good by itself,” explained Green.  “The other day I heard someone say that the car was lonely, so it liked to have others around it.  It would draft really well, but we just couldn’t find a lot of speed by ourselves.”

Even though Green struggled to find speed by himself, he was fortunate to have drafting help from a few of NASCAR’s best.  “We started in the back,” said Green.  “Dale (Earnhardt) Jr., Kevin Harvick, and a couple other guys wanted to ease to the back to miss all the chaos; so that’s what we did.  We rode around in the back and our GEICO Dodge was really good in the draft.”

On lap 51, three cars tangled in turn four and Green was forced to the apron to avoid the wreck.  His GEICO Dodge had damage to the left front fender but Green quickly dove to pit road where the crew went to work to repair the damage.  Returning to the track at the tail end of the longest line, Green went to work on the field utilizing his 9 years of NASCAR experience to work up through the field. 

“We got a little loose through the middle part of the race and that wasn’t very fun,” said Green.  “It might have been caused by the front end damage because the car just wasn’t itself.  The crew worked on it a couple times and I think they really got it better during our last little run.”

“I told the guys to keep me informed and let me know when it was 20 laps to go and time to go racing,” added Green.  A late race caution on lap 113 set up a bad scenario as the race went back to green with only five laps to go.  “It’s just unfortunate to have a caution with eight laps to go,” said Green.  “That was a pure formula for a wreck.  The front row was three wide and you’ve got four rows behind them that are three wide with nowhere to go.  Somebody’s going to push and shove to get up through there.”

Pushing and shoving best describes what happened as the tight pack entered the tri-oval on the final lap.  An eleven-car wreck ensued with cars slamming into each other and the outside wall.  Green was caught up in the melee but able to limp across the finish line to finish 10th in his debut with Biagi Bros. Racing.

“I just can’t thank Fred Biagi enough for giving me the opportunity to drive the GEICO Dodge.  GEICO has been a great sponsor and I’m happy that we were able to give them a top-ten in our first race of the year,” said Green.  “I hate that we tore up a race car, but overall it was a great day.  To finish tenth in our first race together just proves that we have what it takes to be competitive.”

Green and the GEICO Racing team will have another opportunity to prove themselves as the series travels to Fontana, Calif. for next Saturday’s running of the Stater Bros. 300 at California Speedway.  Live television coverage will be provided by FX at 6 p.m. ET while radio coverage will be provided by MRN Radio.