Mark Pombo was practically born at the track. His passion for racing was passed on by his father Pepe Pombo, winner of two SCCA National Championships in the 80s. For Mark, racing has been a lifelong dream starting at the age of 5 and continuing all the way up to his two thrilling seasons as a main contender for the Jetta TDI Cup Championship.

I was t-boned by a competitor in the driver’s door at about 80 mph. One of my first road races in late 2004 had me sitting at a dead stop right at the beginning of a huge braking zone at the fastest part of the track. I saw the entire thing coming and new it was going to be bad. I walked away though, and even got the car on the track the next day. Never skimp on safety; a high-quality roll cage is why I lived to race another day.

Bump drafting is risky, but can be the difference between the top 5 and the top 15 in qualifying. Every driver knows that a perfect lap by yourself on a high-speed circuit is never as fast as a perfect lap with a draft. Sometimes, it can be the pole versus second or third too.

I would like to think I outperformed the other drivers based on skill. I won this weekend, but there were other races I didn’t win. On the ones I didn’t win, I still don’t like to think I was outperformed based on other drivers’ skill. So I am just like most people — I rationalize the loss to myself (without making excuses of course!).

Veterans feel they have paid their dues and want to make rookies earn respect. Rookies have a chip on their shoulder and have something to prove right out of the box. Rookies typically feel like they should start out with the benefit of the doubt.

After crossing the finish line, the first person I called was my fiancée Leah Galloway. She puts up with weeks apart from each other and all my disappointments when things aren’t going well at the track. So I want share the moments of fulfillment with those who have sacrificed with me. My family often travels with me so I usually don’t have to call them.

I am living a dream right now. However, there is life after the Jetta TDI Cup. I try to never forget the fact that many people would love to be in my shoes. Sure, I view this as a step on the way up, but if for some reason this is my peak, then I still have some pretty cool stories to tell.

The more I progress in racing the more parity there is. Drivers in this series, especially the top-tier drivers can win on any given weekend. When I was younger, I felt like I could beat anyone in identical equipment, and to some degree I still feel that way. However, I have realized over the years that I can learn from everyone in this series because of how deep the talent is. I have a unique driving style, and no matter if I am fastest one weekend or not, there is bound to be someone faster than me in one turn or at least one segment of the track. As a driver, if you become content with where you are, others will close the gap trying to figure out what you are doing to go faster, so always continue to look for more speed, even if you are already the fastest.

Wake up and take a look at what we are doing. The facts don’t lie: 25mpg* on the track with B5 biodiesel in one of the most eco-conscious fossil-fuel-powered cars in the world. It is evolution, and this is just the beginning for Volkswagen. By today’s standards in the racing world, we are pioneers.

This series is more exciting to watch than nearly all other kinds of racing because the cars are as equal as possible. We are essentially all driving the same car; nearly identical to the one you can drive off the Volkswagen showroom floor. The drivers are young and aggressive, which typically makes for exciting (and sometimes dangerous) close-quarter racing for 30 minutes. If you like car carnage, there is usually no shortage of that, either.

I’ve never really lost my cool in the car. I will say I have made many mistakes, but those are usually from pushing too hard to be the best. I’m pretty calm, cool, and collected behind the wheel.

To me, a career is something you do to provide for yourself and your family. I hope the Jetta TDI Cup will launch my career to the point where I can call it my only career. I’m not there yet, but every year I’ve gotten closer.

Before a race, I always drink a ton of fluids, and then get the occasional butterflies (like everyone). This usually causes me to make a pit stop at the restroom right before I get in the car. My family follows with a hug and a kiss when I am strapping in the car. Once in the car, I like to have a few moments to myself in the car to visualize the track and go through the gears and braking zones. Then I try to visualize different scenarios on the start and the smartest way to react. By this time, the race is usually about to begin.

I’ve never been the guy to get a song stuck in my head while racing. I think I’m too in tune with the sound of the car to get distracted with music.

Liam Kenney makes me nervous. The driver who really makes me nervous is Kenney, from last season. Because he’ll hit you instead of giving you room.

If I win the Jetta TDI Cup, the money will all go back into pursuing a racing career. Some people call that crazy!

I really liked the Portland, Oregon track last year. I feel like I have some unfinished business there, and would love to race it again.

Track etiquette is track etiquette everywhere. You either have it or you don’t. Everybody makes bonehead mistakes, but owning up to them is what I think is important. This is especially true if your mistake costs someone else a better result. What I have noticed the last couple of years is that, typically, people’s race etiquette coincides with their tax bracket (or their parents’ tax bracket). There are always exceptions, though.

I want to beat them all. One week it could be Timmy Megenbier, the next Jake Thompson, the next Andy Lee, and the next Joey Atterbury, etc.

I’d like to think I’m the fastest, nicest, and most marketable. Hopefully.

*30 city/41 highway mpg (Jetta 2.0L TDI, manual). EPA estimates. Your mileage will vary.