Chat Transcript: Mark Martin
NASCAR.com
May 29, 2002[NASCAR-Host3] Welcome to NASCAR.com's chat with Mark Martin!
[Mark_Martin] Thanks for coming by NASCAR.com this afternoon for my chat. We are excited about the win in Charlotte and I look forward to answering your questions.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [Number6fan] This year, your car seems to be pushing hard to finally match your driving skills. What changes were made?
[Mark_Martin] The difference this year is that we have quite a bit more horsepower. We also have faster pit stops and better handling cars. When you put all that together, that makes for quite a bit more competitive performances.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [MichiganBound] Hello Mark!! What did that woman who also won a cool million on Sunday say to you when she met up with you in victory lane? She looked completely stunned on TV? Haha!
[Mark_Martin] She couldn't hardly talk! She was in shock! She was really, really nice. She was pretty quiet after the race. She was totally dazed and shocked.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from:[hunterdogg] Hi Mark. Do think you can become the next "ironman"?
[Mark_Martin] I don't think so! We would have to race about another 10 years to get there! Haha It would take close to that. I didn't get quite as early a start as Ricky Rudd did.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from:[great one #6] Hey Mark! I was wondering, did you study Dover yet? Thanks!
[Mark_Martin] Yes. We've done our homework for sure for Dover. Things look really good for us. We are taking a really great car and we have done a lot of "studying" of our notes, and we are excited and looking forward to the challenge.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [ROUSHROCKETS] Mark, I know you spoke with Jack on the phone but couldn't hear him very well, but once you did get the chance to talk to him, what were his first words to you?
[Mark_Martin] Oh, I don't remember exactly what they were. Everything has been in a fog this week because so much is going on! Jack was really, really happy and I think I told him that I couldn't hear him but asked if he could hear me, because that was important to me. He said he could and he was just real excited for me.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from:[Plato4#6] You are "THE" class act of NASCAR. This is more of a plea than a question -- don't even think about retirement! There are too many wins to come for the No. 6 car. Comment?
[Mark_Martin] I have a long term contract with Jack, Roush Racing and with Pfizer that carries me. I know what I will do the next 3 years, if that puts your mind to ease at all. Most drivers don't know what they are going to be doing that long. We will look at the rest of it when we get closer.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [#6 nut] Way to go, Mark! I loved the way you drove those last 20 laps. How is it possible to pass pre-race inspection and not the post-race? I mean your car didn't leave the eyes of NASCAR?
[Mark_Martin] It is a common problem, more now than it used to be. The springs that we have been running the last year or so have a tendency to lose some height during the race.
If you start the race at minimum height, you are running the risk of not running the right height at the end of the race. This has happened to several cars in the last year and it is basically the same problem. It is the springs we are running today, and the rate that we run the spring at, it can't hardly take the beating. We are going to have to start them a bit higher than minimum height going forward.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [RJ_Martin6Fan] You apparently radioed Ben Leslie after the last restart saying that your car was tight again. Did you make a change during the last stop to make the car tight, or did the track simply cool off a bit? Also what change would you have made to loosen the car up if you had needed to stop again?
[Mark_Martin] We put one round of wedge in on the last stop to tighten it up, so basically had we not done that, the car would have been a little bit better.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [dalejrfan] Hey Mark! Congratulations on the win this weekend! Were you worried about the zig-zagging you were doing to get rid of Matt at the end of the race? That was an awesome finish!
[Mark_Martin] That was very intense, the last 15 laps, and the last 5 even more so! I knew that I could seal the deal if I slashed through them and made it like I did, so I was pretty desperate to seal the deal. I wanted that win bad.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [martinfreak] My question is, things seem to be picking up pace for you and your car seems to be really fast now. Why did you say that you may not win another race?
[Mark_Martin] Because I could trip on the sidewalk today and hit my head and never be able to drive a racecar again. You just never know. Someday it will be the last win and I might win 25 more of these things, but every time you win, until you win again, the last one could be the last one. I appreciate each one for what they are and I don't expect them to come to me. I just hope that they do.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [ALL_TIME_MARK M_FAN] Hi Mark! You are my all-time favorite driver! I started crying when you won at Lowe's! I just want to know if you have any advice for a 15-year-old girl that wants to start racing.
[Mark_Martin] It is a very, very tough business to get into, especially for a female, but for anyone for that matter. It is very competitive. If you really want it bad, just pursue your dream and just work harder than you ever thought imaginable.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [lish8fan] I was just wondering, considering this is your first victory in a while, what keeps you motivated and in the competitive spirit during the "dry spells?" And how do you think NASCAR has changed since the arrival of all the younger guys?
[Mark_Martin] Well, the motivation is how winning makes you feel. It is a very powerful drug and once you have experienced it, you always want it or crave it. You have to continue to be motivated to do the job.
NASCAR hasn't changed since the young guys have come along. Young guys have always come along. The difference is people on TV and writers are writing more about it. Young drivers coming in during the past weren't coming in driving the cars they have now. There have always been drivers in their 20s coming in to NASCAR.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [NHIS regular] As you most likely already know, the corners at NHIS have been widened toward the infield. Do you think this change will help this track establish a second groove?
[Mark_Martin] I hope so, even a groove and a half would be an improvement. It looked like it was reasonable at the Busch race so we are hoping that it works out as planned.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [Nuttyracer] Way to go! What an exciting race Sunday! How often do you get to the Roush Shop and do you ever do any "hands-on" work on the No. 6 car, or how much verbal input do you have during the week on the car you will be driving?
[Mark_Martin] I wouldn't dare touch the car mechanically because I would mess it up! Haha It has been so long since I have worked on cars myself, but I work on my son's car. I get up to the shop about once or twice a month, but I talk to Ben at least a few times a day on the phone and I have all the input I want on what is done on the No. 6 car. That is one of the good things for driving for Jack Roush. The driver can have as much input as he wants on his cars.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [Ryanfan12] I was wondering if you get nervous watching Matt, and do you ever think ahead to what his future could be?
[Mark_Martin] I get so nervous that no one can talk to me. It is the most nervous I have ever been in my life, watching him race. I see him doing whatever he wants to do. If he wants to be a champion NASCAR driver, I think he can do that. I think he has the talent to do that. He is 10 years old and we don't know yet if that is what he wants to do. He is a good little race driver and we have a lot of fun racing together.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [Wired4Spd] Hi Mark, my question is how much of a role did your spotter play in you getting through the late race lapped traffic and how much was it just driver (skill, drive and determination)? Thanks
[Mark_Martin] My spotter is my lifeline. He is someone that I rely on totally, BUT he watches beside and behind me, as far as the cars go, unless there are accidents. He didn't play a role in my negotiating that traffic other than letting me know when I was clear of them as I passed them. It was more a desperate lunge for the biggest win of my career than something that was cool, calculated and skillful.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [martinfan] My question is why did you switch pit crews?
[Mark_Martin] Cause I wanted to run better! Haha And I thought it would be better for the No. 6 car and the No. 97 car if we switched.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [Martinfan4life] How did he feel about what happened to Jack Roush last month?
[Mark_Martin] I was horrified. Jack and I have a lot of history together and he is someone that I am really close to and feel partners in life with. It scared me really bad.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [6fan4ever] Congratulations on an incredible win Mark! Those last 25 laps were probably the best driving I have ever seen. My question is do you ever miss racing in Busch, and if things keep up would you like to run IROC again?
[Mark_Martin] I don't miss racing the Busch Series. It is a big load and responsibility, but I do miss WINNING the Busch races! I don't miss it, and I don't know how I feel about IROC. I was crushed and disappointed that after 7 straight years and having won championships I couldn't believe I wasn't invited back to play with them the last 2 years. I was very disappointed.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [hungy] Mark, way to go on Sunday! I gotta know though, did Matt Kenseth back off a little or was he really trying to pass you? It seemed on several occasions that he would catch up and then you would pull away. What's up with that?
[Mark_Martin] Matt was trying his heart out to win that race. He wanted it really bad. I would get a good lap, and then he would get a good lap. We were both really pushing our cars hard for the win, but once in a while I would slip, and he would catch up, and vice versa. Contrary to what some people would like to think, Matt Kenseth would have done ANYTHING to have won that race.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [Cbe] I've got your "NASCAR for Dummies" book. Are you going to update it?
[Mark_Martin] I haven't even thought about that! That is a pretty big job! Haha
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [Martin fan 4 Life] Hey Mark! Way to go! Here is my question: besides your first win at The Rock, where would you rank this win?
[Mark_Martin] This IS, to me, number one. It ranks above my Vegas win in 1998, my Winston win in 1998, and my first win in 1989 because I can't even remember that far back! Your most recent win should always be the best one.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [Number6fan] Mark, do you ever do special appearances anywhere, or is it strictly only on the track that we can catch up to you?
[Mark_Martin] I do some personal appearances a lot of time for Ford at different functions. It seems like we are doing something all the time, but a lot of things we do today are not open to the public. Some are, but a lot aren't. You could check out roushracing.com and I think that information is sometimes posted there.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [markandroush4ever] Hey Mark, congratulations on your win. What is Roush Racing doing different this year from last year? What do you do as owner of Matt?
[Mark_Martin] As a co-owner of Matt's team, I don't do anything. I made an initial investment and then spent some time organizing personnel, but beyond that I don't have any responsibilities any more. Roush Racing does the daily operations of the team. Like I said before, we are making more horsepower, have better handling cars, and are having great pit stops this year -- all the teams at Roush.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from:[eternal6fan] How is your back and your health in general?
[Mark_Martin] My health is wonderful and my back is the best it has been since the surgery in 1999. I feel really, really good and pain-free.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [MMfan4ever] Congratulations Mark. What track has been your favorite to race at since the beginning of your career? Thank you for being the driver you are on and off the track. Good luck to you and your crew in 2002.
[Mark_Martin] My favorite NASCAR track is Lowe's Motor Speedway!
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [Tech_Ed] Hi Mark! How do you feel about the "aero" push issue that makes passing so difficult and gives the lead car such an advantage?
[Mark_Martin] I HATE it! Haha I think it is going to be around for a long time. Eventually they can take the downforce off the cars, but that aero push is going to be around for a long time.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [Mom_2_3] Now that you've won -- being an older, well more experienced, driver -- do you think that it will effect the attitudes of the other older drivers who seem to be upset about the "young guns?"
[Mark_Martin] I don't think it is going to change a whole lot. It was great for my team, and most of the guys that work on my team are young guys that have never been to victory lane and that was one of the most special parts for winning the race, that and making a fan a millionaire. Those were the best things about winning that race.
[NASCAR-Host3] Question from: [KosinTrouble] How many jokes are going about the pits and garage area about you and your "up and at 'em" sponsor?
[Mark_Martin] Not that many. We had the occasional jokes at the beginning of 2001, but the fun of that has worn off. Men's health is a serious issue and people are beginning to realize that.
[NASCAR-Host3] Thank you Mark! That's all the time we have this evening, do you have any final thoughts?
[Mark_Martin] Thank you for your support over the past couple of years. It seems like when things get tough for me, you really rally behind me and it means A LOT to me. I was glad to be able to give you something to cheer about on Sunday.
