Chat Transcript: Mark Martin
June 5, 2001
10:50 AM EDT (1450 GMT)

[Nascar_ Host1] Welcome to NASCAR.com's chat with Mark Martin!

[Mark_Martin] Hello to everyone this evening. I am looking forward to your interesting questions.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from [blueracer6] Mark, how did driving Sunday with a pinched nerve affect you?

[Mark_Martin] It was a little bit uncomfortable, but I got used to it. You kind of have a natural sense of adapting to whatever situation you are in. Once I got going for a little while, it wasn't a problem.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from [rainbowrebel] Mark, what changes, if any, will your team make during the second half of the season to hopefully make a charge toward the top of the standings?

[Mark_Martin] There isn't one particular change that we can make at this point. We feel like, at this point, we are just a little bit off and we need to pick it up a bit. If we knew how to do that, we would do it already. It is just a matter of working with what we have and make it a little better.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from [phizerman] What are your thoughts coming into Michigan?

[Mark_Martin] Honestly, I hope I don't go up there and run 20th! I don't feel real good with how we are running right now, but we have been turning out some better performances lately. Maybe we will get lucky this weekend.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from [joni6] Hey Mark, are you going to have any special paint schemes this year, and if so what race or races?

[Mark_Martin] No, there are no more. There was the one special one for the Bud Shootout. We had the Pfizer car in Rockingham. We will have the Viagra car the rest of the year.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from [mboettcher] Hey Mark, how have you and the #6 team adapted to the new tire, and has it affected your not being in victory lane yet?

[Mark_Martin] I don't really think that on any tire we would be winning races right now. We are just a little bit off with our program and I don't think the tires have played very much of a role in that.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from [joni6] Hey Mark, have you been helping Greg Biffle out with his Busch car (your former Busch car) and how do you think he will do when it comes down to the final couple of races that will determine who will win the Busch Championship? Thanks and good luck at Michigan.

[Mark_Martin] I have only been helping Greg a little bit. Those guys are incredibly talented and they have done a great job. I have helped them with everything they have asked for, but they are a really strong race team.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from [WinstonCupcake] What do you think of the new springs package that NASCAR has mandated?

[Mark_Martin] I think it is good. I don't think that it has made a tremendous amount of difference with the competition on the racetrack, but I do think it is a good rule.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from [dawn6] Mark, rumors are flying about you retiring after this season. What's the real story?

[Mark_Martin] I don't know why anyone would say that. I have a five-year contract with the sponsor and the owner, so I am all set through 2005, like it or not! Haha!

[Nascar_Host1] Question from [mattmartinfan] Mark, how is your son Matt doing with his racing?

[Mark_Martin] He is doing great! He is getting more competitive and sharper on the racetrack all the time. We are just having a ball.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from [dalejr_fan] Mark, what do you think about the rookie battle this year?

[Mark_Martin] I think Kurt Busch is one of the finest racecar drivers I have ever put my eyes on. Unfortunately, Kevin Harvick is giving him a pounding!

[Nascar_Host1] Question from [MarkMartinRacn6] Mark, Jeff Burton said his team switched back to the old setups starting at LMS. Has your team done the same? Thanks, and I think you are the best out there.

[Mark_Martin] Thank you for your comments. We are somewhere in between what we were doing the last part of last year and what we did in '98 and '99. The setups evolve and change so you have to go with the flow.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from [dawn6] Mark, you have always been known for cherishing your time with your family. With your lessened racing load this season, have you been able to notice and enjoy more time with them?

[Mark_Martin] It has been a whole lot better for me without racing the Busch car. Some of the other obligations I have had in the past I also didn't have this year. It has meant a lot to me and to my family for the extra time we have had this year.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from [DaleJr316] Mark, during Sunday's race how much do you think that late caution hurt you when you only took two tires?

[Mark_Martin] I think that if we hadn't of gotten that we would have finished 4th. It was a great call and we had a great car. We were unlucky to get the caution when we did, but under the circumstances I don't think we would have finished less than 9th. We were all lined up for a top-5 finish.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from [sixspence] Do you have a physical workout program to keep in shape?

[Mark_Martin] Yes, I do. I lift weights 5 days a week and I do cardio exercises 3 days a week.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from [nascarfan] What did you think about the new aero packages NASCAR used this year?

[Mark_Martin] I don't like it very much. I don't think that the aero packages NASCAR has adopted for restrictor plate races isn't worth a hoot, and their unrestricted racing package isn't really good either, in my opinion.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from [nicko6] Mark, how is Jack Roush to work for?

[Mark_Martin] Jack is a great guy to work for as long as you do your best. He doesn't have much toleration for slackers.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from [roushracing] What, if anything, would you like to see done about chassis stiffness in the Winston Cup cars?

[Mark_Martin] I am not really sure. That is a little bit over my head. That is a little more technical than I have answers for.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from [hellomark] What do you think about women becoming more involved in racing, like Sarah Fisher and Shawna Robinson?

[Mark_Martin] I think it is fantastic. They are both terrific racecar drivers and there is nothing but good that can come of that.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from [mmrules] With all the young talent we have seen come up in the last few years, how hard is it to stay competitive with them?

[Mark_Martin] It is really hard. The young drivers and crewmembers that have come along in the last few years are just really exciting to watch. They are just fantastic.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from [tailormadeusa] Mark, want to welcome you Michigan this weekend. Will you be making an appearance at the Ford Fan Appreciation on Thursday?

[Mark_Martin] Yes, I will. I will be there early, around 5:30 or something like that. I look forward to seeing you there!

[Nascar_Host1] Question from [raceman] With tracks being built all over the United States and most of them being 1.5 miles in length, what type would you prefer to see? Another Bristol-type track or the superspeedways?

[Mark_Martin] Probably more like Richmond. It is not a big superspeedway but it has enough room to really race good on. It makes for a really great race.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from [frannie] Do you concentrate on the points battle each weekend or just try to finish well at each track?

[Mark_Martin] Just trying to finish well at each track each week.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from [tailormadeusa] Mark, you are known for your values on and off the track. How do you keep your temper when there are so many hotheads out there?

[Mark_Martin] I don't really keep my temper! Haha! I, comparatively speaking, may keep my cool or my temper, but I still loose it too. Sometimes I say things that I wish I hadn't said, but I try real hard to not do things that I regret. I don't believe that fans like to see grown men cry, so I do my best not to.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from [port] Hi, Mark. Do you miss driving the Busch series? You were the greatest of all in that series.

[Mark_Martin] Thank you SO much! I honestly do not miss it at all. It was a tremendous responsibility and a lot of pressure. It took a lot of time and focus and my life is a lot easier now. It is not easy by any means, but it is a lot easier to manage than before.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from [ThreeWide] Mark, I know that you don't wear a HANS device. Why not? And have you looked into any of the other head restraint devices available?

[Mark_Martin] Actually, I have been wearing the HANS since Texas. I am wearing it because of the information I have received, and I believe it does a better job restraining the head than the other devices. It is comfortable for me but it does make it a little more difficult for me to get out of the car. That is the only drawback.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from [Mark6-60] How is your knee since your surgery a few weeks ago?

[Mark_Martin] My knee is fantastic. What a miracle!

[Nascar_Host1] Question from [racetruck26] How do you like being involved with New Smyrna Speedway? My husband has raced there before and we love it!

[Mark_Martin] I love it, too. I have had more fun out there than I have had in NASCAR racing in a long time. I have just been involved with the quarter-midget racing with the kids and it is a lot of fun.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from [Sarge] What do you think of the TRAC league talk?

[Mark_Martin] I am not really sure. I haven't decided yet. I think if they made it a senior's tour it might be pretty attractive. Or on the other hand, if it was a young tour, like teenagers, it might have a better shot at not being resisted.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from [bradman] Mark, great race Sunday under the circumstances. What are your thoughts about the two new racetracks this year?

[Mark_Martin] I am excited about them. It is a tremendous, new opportunity for our sponsors and sport to reach out to new fans that aren't able to come out to a NASCAR race.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from [martinfan] Do a lot of the young and upcoming drivers come to you for advice?

[Mark_Martin] I wouldn't say a lot, but some do. It is more like "how do you drive this track," or "do you use the brakes any?" Questions like that on how you drive the certain tracks.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from [MikeC] How much has racing in ASA played in your success? And do you still follow the series?

[Mark_Martin] I still follow it some. It was a very important part of my background and experience. I don't have the plan for Matt to do that now. I would like to put him in the Craftsman Truck Series when he is around 16.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from [bblkland] Mark, other than driving, what would you say is your greatest contribution the #6 team?

[Mark_Martin] That is a good question. It would have to be my technical experience where it relates to chassis setups.

[Nascar_Host1] Question from [Jewel2046] Mark, what are your favorite things to do when you are not racing?

[Mark_Martin] My favorite thing to do on Sunday when I am not racing is to get the remote in my hand and watch two races at the same time! I like to flip back and forth between channels. I like to watch F1, CART, IRL, ASA, as well as all the NASCAR stuff.

[Nascar_Host1] That's all the time Mark has us today. Thanks Mark! What are your final thoughts?

[Mark_Martin] I just want to thank my fans SO much because it seems like you pull for me no matter whether I am winning or failing miserably, and that is very important to me. Your support means a lot and I appreciate it.