CONCORD, N.C. – Brent Marks’ new perspective naturally surfaced as he leaned against the CJB Motorsports pit cart before night one of the World of Outlaws Last Call at The Dirt Track at Charlotte.
After spending three years on the World of Outlaws tour as a driver-owner, the Myerstown, Pa., driver has reverted to his roots with the Pennsylvania-based CJB team.
Returning home ultimately provided more family time for Marks, who finds himself happier than ever as he prepares to return to CJB in 2021.
“I’ve been able to spend a lot of time with my family this year, which has been great,” Marks said. “I felt like I missed a better part of my daughter’s life, the first three years of her life. I had a lot of time this year that was freed up because of this opportunity. That did make me very happy. It gave me a different perspective on the whole racing life. It’s been cool.”
“It’s a lot of sacrifice,” Marks added in regard to being a driver-owner with the World of Outlaws. “That’s how it’s been the last three years I was on the tour. It was a great feeling this year to see things from a different perspective and have fun doing what I’m doing.”
Marks accumulated four wins and points finishes of 10th, ninth, and 10th in his three years as a full-timer with the World of Outlaws.
This year, however, Marks has four total wins, highlighted by night one of the loaded Governors Reign at Eldora Speedway in September. He also picked up a pair of wins at Port Royal Speedway, where he finished third in points despite missing one race.
Marks, who will turn 30 in December, picked up a win at Williams Grove Speedway and finished second in the points race to Freddie Rahmer at the half-mile track.
“I think we’ve had a really good year,” said Marks, who racked up 18 podiums throughout the year. “We started out a little off but we spent the time and really built a good program throughout this entire year and been really competitive everywhere we’ve gone. We’ve been fast. That’s obviously the ultimate goal, is to be fast wherever you go.”
Next year, Marks expects more of the same, which is forming his schedule around marquee events.
But as far as the World of Outlaws goes, could Marks see himself back on tour again?
“Maybe one day,” Marks said. “I don’t know. We’ll see. I’m really happy with what I’m doing right now and really happy with where I’m at.”
Marks has essentially raced better than anyone this year, passing 179 cars in 71 features this year, the third highest plus-minus total behind only Logan Schuchart (200) and Danny Dietrich (197).
“I’m really confident in the program and what this team built this year. I feel really great behind the race car. I think that’s going to make 2021 even better for us. We have things figured out where we can go into next year and start out strong and hopefully have a really strong year.”