click to enlarge

October 23, 2003: Mark C. Lowrey's first step is a positive one. The African American reached his goal (and the goal of the Parker Racing Team) by winning the AllStar RaceTruck Northeast Region Rookie of the Year prize.

The computer engineer claimed the prize with a third place in the 25-lapper Oct. 4 at Waterford Speedbowl’s Finale. It was his best effort of the year.

Limited to a single Legends Car race before this season, Lowrey also finished sixth overall. He had high praise for teammate Shawn Parker (a three-time ARTS Champion) and crew chief Bob Pierce.

“We made it clear that Mark winning Rookie of the Year was the first priority,” said Parker, whose streak of championships ended at three. “That never changed.” Lowrey, in fact, clinched the honor in the truck usually driven by Parker. He had crashed a week earlier at Seekonk.

“I spoke with Shawn the day after my crash and he tells me he wants me to drive his truck in the next race at Waterford so I could continue my Rookie of the Year run,” says Lowrey. “That speaks volumes about the type of people we have on our team.”

The “character” began to show in late August when Parker balled up his truck at Wall Stadium. “Shawn could have told me he was going to run my truck until his got re-clipped but that conversation never came up,” continues Lowrey. “I would describe our team as one of the best in racing, period.”

Pierce, he insists, “has given me a new definition for the word dedicated.”

Lowrey didn’t come to racing without the competitive edge. He was part of a state championship football team at Connecticut’s Bristol Central High where he also competed in track. He was a competitive freestyle skier as well. “You either have it or you don’t” has always been his attitude.

Racing, however, was something new.

“I am not a very emotional person,” Lowrey says. “In one racing season, eight months, I have been on the verge of tears and frustration more then in the past 25 years. ‘Blood, sweat and tears’ has a completely new meaning to me.” Racing, he says, “is like a chess match at 100 mph with your emotions on some high-speed roller coaster.”

The Speedbowl is Lowrey’s favorite track. He actually made his debut there on May 3 with a ninth and week later got his first top-five finish. He added a fourth in early September before the final race.

Lowrey wasn’t the only “quick study” on the Parker team. Spotter Meghan Farmer had been to one race before Lowrey approached her. “I asked her half way through spring testing,” says Lowrey. “The way she stepped up to the plate and then did it so well all season is incredible.”

Parker was in the championship hunt before the crash at Wall with a second, third and fourth in four starts.

Both Parker and Lowrey figure to be back on the AllStar RaceTruck Series next year.