Mark Cox Racing

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Mark Cox Has the Spirit of Racing in His Blood

    Mark Cox began racing motorcycles at the age of 12, and by age 18 had advanced to the expert ranks and was competing on the Camel Pro Dirt Track Tour, which he continued for four years.
    His racing grew from the two-wheeled variety o the four-wheel kind in 1987 when he advanced to the NASCAR Late Model Stock Car Division, taking the Most Improved Driver Award in 1987 and the Rookie of the Year Award in 1988. In 1988, Cox took his first victory and collected two pole positions. He raced in the Late Model Stock and Sportsman Divisions for eight years before taking a hiatus for business reasons.
    In 1997, through his partnership in the Crossroads Harley-Davidson dealership, Cox decided to pursue his two-wheeled passion and returned to the track. He was introduced to the All Harley Drag Association (AHDRA) and organized a team effort to drag race a Pro Dragster Harley-Davidson motorcycle. In this rookie season, Cox garnered two national event victories and one non-points win, turning heads everywhere. The Mark Cox Racing team won the prestigious 1997 Best Appearing Pro Dragster Team In AHDRA competition, while competing in just six events.
    In 1998, Cox and crew took the AHDRA by storm, returning in the Pro Dragster class and upsetting the legendary and four-time champion, Larry "Drums " Brancaccio. By keeping him at bay all season, Mark Cox took the National AHDRA Pro Drag championship out from under him. Cox earned the honor by collecting eight victories and flirted with E.T. and MPH records all season. For a newcomer to the series, this showed true talent and determination.
    In 1999, Mark Cox Racing continued to stay at the cutting edge of technology by debuting a twin carburetor system at the inaugural race of the season. Research and development through the first two races paid off when he collected the runner-up spot in May, followed by back to back victories in June. An unfortunate accident in July, couldn't keep Cox down for long. He rebounded with another victory in August, and clinched the Eastern Series points championship and the National runner-up position for the AHDRA Pro Dragster class.
    In 2000 Mark Cox moved up to the Top Fuel class with a new 167 c.i. Harley-Davidson motor on a Weekend frame, built by Hawaya Racing’s Johnny Vickers. Competition was limited during this developmental year, but collected his first Top Fuel victory at Maple Grove, Penn., and a runner-up spot at Rockingham, N.C. During test runs at Bristol in May, Mark Cox joined the “200-mph Club” with a run of 204.57 mph and completed an ET under seven-seconds at 6.96, also joining the “Six-Second Club”, known to few members in Harley drag racing.
    The 2001 season brought another Top Fuel victory to Mark Cox Racing, in the AHDRA race at Rockingham and three Top Qualifier positions. They also won IHRA Best Appearing Crew at Rockingham.
    In 2002 and 2003 the Mark Cox Racing team established their bike as the quickest and fastest high-gear nitro Harley in the world. Mark broke the track record at Budds Creek, MD with a 6.447 ET and set a fastest MPH at Shreveport with a 218 mph. They collected two wins -- an AHDRA victory at Norwalk, OH and an IHRA victory at their home track of Rockingham, NC -- and.scored numerous Top Qualifier positions.
    In 2004, Mark Cox Racing built and campaigned a new inboard clutch Top Fuel bike and spent time developing it during both the 2004 and 2005 season. He collected a victory at the 2nd Annual Harley Rock-n-Rally. Mark Cox did not compete during the 2006-2007 season due to expansion and relocation of his Crossroads Harley-Davidson dealership.