Teenager Jared Marks Aiming For High Marks

Topics:  Jared Marks

Chris Knight
Knight Motorsports Management/Tony Marks Racing
April 1, 2011

NAPOLEON, Ohio (April 1, 2011) - - With Tony Marks Racing (TMR) development driver Jared Marks focused on a 4.0 grade point average during his sophomore season at Napoleon High School, the rising teenage sensation is hoping his GPA will transfer over to on-track results this summer.

After posting solid results during the 45th Annual World Series at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway in the Super Late Model (SLM) and Crate Late Model (CLM) divisions respectively, Marks returned to school in the Buckeye State focused on satisfying his achievements with the momentum to carry onto a heavy summer racing season which will consist of competition in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards as well as an aggressive Late Model schedule.

“I’m looking forward to getting school over with so I can fully concentrate on racing,” said 16-year old Marks. “Believe it or not, the balance between maintaining a 4.0 GPA in high school and achieving success on the race track is a fine line.”

He added, “Luckily, a large portion of the race season is during the month where school is out of session. That offers a prime opportunity for me to be focused 100 percent on racing. On average, I’ll spend eight to 10 hours per day in the shop working on cars. I enjoy the hands on portion of working on and learning about them just as much as I do racing them. But, when school is alive, it can be difficult to deal with all of the work in the classroom and at the track.”

Of course when school is in peak, not only is Marks trying to keep his team and sponsors happy but his teachers too.

“My schoolwork is just as important to me as is my racing career. You see, I am enrolled in mostly advance placement and honor courses, so I usually spend two-three hours a night focused on school work. This is combined with the one and a half to two hours a day of weightlifting and cardio exercise to keep in shape and gain a competitive advantage over the competition. I am getting to the point in my career where races are becoming longer, sometimes 250 or even 300 laps, so physical fitness is extremely important,” Marks explained.

With a scheduled race in April at Toledo Speedway next month, Marks is mentally preparing himself.

“I would say that I have the tendency to put a lot of pressure on myself,” Marks explained. “I want to do well not only for myself and our sponsors but for my friends and family too. I’m very lucky to have the support of my friends and especially my family. They are a large part of my success and I appreciate all they have given me. My dad came from a racing background, so he understands the desire to be successful on the racetrack. But, before “play” comes into effect, it’s hitting those books hard and staying on track.”

Tentatively, Marks’ first short-track event for TMRDD (Tony Marks Racing Driver Development) in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards is at the tight Toledo Speedway on Sunday, May 15. He will be a teammate to ARCA Rookie of the Year candidate and Canadian female driver Maryeve Dufault.

“While it will be fine to race in the Late Models, I’m looking forward to being a teammate at TMR with Maryeve (Dufault),” Marks sounded. “My goal is to work with her and with the TMR so we can bring home the best finishes possible. Of course, I wouldn’t mind a top-five or even a win or two along the way.”

About Tony Marks Racing (TMR):

Tony Marks Racing was founded in 2009 through the passion for racing of team owner and former driver Tony Marks. Marks is the successful owner of TMT, Inc., a logistics, warehousing and packaging company with over 400 employees whose customers are mainly comprised of Fortune 100 companies.

Marks began his racing career in 1985 getting behind the wheel of everything from drag racers, Dirt Late Models, SCCA Formula Fords, USAC F2000 Open Wheel and ARCA cars. Tony personally raced until 2005 amassing numerous wins, championships and track records along the way until he then changed his focus from driver to owner and began building racing programs for his children Jared (16 years old) and Rachel (13 years old). Under the auspices of TMR, Jared began his racing career in 2002 in quarter midgets and now competes in late model, CRA, ASA and ARCA Series events while Rachel continues her development program racing quarter midgets and Bandoleros.

TMR has been at the forefront of charitable giving through its’ “Driving Against Hunger” and “Million Meal Challenge” race programs which have raised over $200,000 for Forgotten Harvest in 2010 at the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series events at Michigan International Speedway.

For the NASCAR events TMR along with TMT, Inc. partnered with Forgotten Harvest for the “Million Meal Challenge For Our Kids” which helps to bridge the hunger gap while schools are out of session and feeds 20,000 children per day in the Detroit metro area. Forgotten Harvest was significantly displayed on the entry of Chase Austin during both the Truck and Nationwide events at Michigan International Speedway along with logos of “Million Meal Challenge” sponsors Walgreen’s, United Race Group, Holyfield’s Choice Alka-Power Water and Vitamin Spice. Evander Holyfield was also instrumental in the challenge, acting as Grand Marshall for the August race and announcing his “Fight Against Hunger” on behalf of Forgotten Harvest.

As the first race team to “Drive Against Hunger” through their partnership with Forgotten Harvest, TMR plans to continue their alliance with Forgotten Harvest and once again “Drive Against Hunger” during the 2011 season.

For additional information on TMT, Inc. please visit; tmtcompanies.net.

###

TEAM COMMUNICATIONS CONTACT:
NAME: Chris Knight, Knight Motorsports Management
PHONE: 239.834.9797
EMAIL: chris@chrisknightpr.com