NASCAR's Mark Martin
2008 Season Articles - June & July
Mark Martin Race Preview - Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500
Mark Martin Searching For Victory Lane At Pocono
DEI
July 30, 2008After one of the most bizarre races in NASCAR history in last week’s Brickyard 400, Mark Martin and the No. 8 Dale Earnhardt Inc. Team will look to rebound this weekend at Pocono Raceway, where Martin will look for his first career victory at the 2.5-mile track.
MARK MARTIN AT POCONO RACEWAY
This will be Martin’s 44th race at Pocono Raceway, where he has finished inside the top 10 on 30 occasions. He also boasts 19 top-five finishes at Pocono.
The numbers are the most of any driver. In addition, Martin has posted 28 top-10 starts in 43 races at Pocono, including a third-place start last month.
Starts: 43 (21)
Wins: --
Top 5s: 19 (7)
Top 10s: 30 (15)
Poles: 3 (2)
Highest finish: 2nd (6 times)
First time: 6/6/82 (26th)
Last year: 8/5/07 (9th)
Last time: 6/8/07 (10th)MARK MARTIN - FAST FACTS - POCONO RACEWAY
Martin has finished second at Pocono on six different occasions.
Martin has finished second or third in over 25 percent of his 43 starts at Pocono.
Martin’s 19 top-five finishes at Pocono are the most of any driver.
Martin’s 30 top-10 finishes at Pocono leads all drivers.
Martin has finished second in three of his last 10 races at Pocono.
Martin finished in the top 10 in both races at Pocono in 2007, the 10th time in his career he has accomplished that feat.
Martin finished 10th last month at Pocono, after posting a third-place qualifying effort.
WORTHY NOTE
Martin has six second-place runs at Pocono.
Martin has finished top-10 in his last three races at Pocono.
STEAK-UMM ON BOARD
Martin will run a special Steak-Umm’s paint scheme this weekend at Pocono. The scheme is the same as Martin ran earlier this year at the Pocono race in June.
LOOKING FOR NUMBER ‘WON’
Martin has never won at Pocono, but he has come close on numerous occasions. The veteran has posted second-place finishes there six different times. In fact, Martin has finished second at Pocono in three of his last 10 starts. In addition, he has finished third there on four more occasions. Martin has finished second or third in almost 25 percent of his starts and in the top five in almost 50 percent of his starts at Pocono.
SEARCHING FOR VICTORY LANE
Pocono is one of six tracks (Loudon, Daytona, Chicago, Indy and Homestead) where the veteran has not won in a Sprint Cup point race. Ironically five of those six tracks come in order on the Cup schedule from late June into August.
QUOTING MARK MARTIN ON POCONO RACEWAY
“I have never won at Pocono, but it’s still one of my favorite tracks that we go to. It really goes to show that you don’t have to win somewhere to love it. I’ve won at Martinsville a couple of times and don’t like the place at all. Now we have had some good runs there over the years and I think I’ve finished runner up five or six times. We had a good car there in June and we qualified well, but didn’t race quite as well. Our challenge this weekend will be to make the car better for the race. We all had a tough race last week at Indy, but everyone hung in there and did the best they could. We had trouble early and it was a bad situation all around, but (crew chief) Tony Gibson and all of the guys on this No. 8 team dug in and fought to the end. We made the best of a bad situation. Hopefully, this weekend we’ll have a lot better go of it on the track.”
COLUMN: Mark Martin Is Last Of The Grayhairs
By Brian T. Smith, Sports Writer
Bristol Herald Courier
July 28, 2008Youth is everything in the modern world of NASCAR.
Youth is king.
Young, shiny, smiling, baby-faced drivers pitch, sell, advertise, name-drop and push commercial big-box products. The products bear a sponsor-specific logo. And NASCAR’s devoted, driver-loyal fans consume the products.
Cash changes hands; credit is swiped. Recession-proof money moves, swims and builds. The rich get richer. The fans keep buying. The drivers keep driving. NASCAR’s long-standing, big, simple game soldiers on.
And when it comes to selling in today’s shape-shifting, 24/7-streaming, increasingly self-involved market, youth is desired. Preferred. Nearly mandatory.
It’s a fact of modern life. A fact of NASCAR life. And it’s exactly what makes Mark Martin’s recent showing during race weekend at the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard in Indianapolis so stunning.
Martin, 49, should be on the trash heap by now.
Deep, heavy lines run through his face and surround his soft eyes. His 1950s-style United States Marine Corps buzz cut fell out of fashion long ago. His hair has faded, turned gray. And Martin, owner of 35 career wins, 41 poles and a 27-year NASCAR veteran, might be hard-pressed to find anything in common with the text-messaging, short-attention span, video game generation NASCAR’s current youth-based movement is striving to sell to, convert and reach.
But, somehow, Martin is still burning.
He’s still driving.
And in the cutthroat modern world of NASCAR, he’s still alive.
“You just don’t know what it means to me to be competitive and drive a fast race car,” Martin said. “The fan response is overwhelming.
“Usually, when you get to this stage in your career, it’s hard to get sponsors to line up behind you. And I’ve been really blessed in that respect.”
NASCAR slowly phased out its old guard; Martin survived.
NASCAR pushed young, bright and new; Martin survived.
NASCAR evolved, embracing technology, statistics and computer-based results, increasingly taking a no-longer stock, stock car out of drivers’ hands; Martin survived.
And now, Martin, the self-described “last of the gray hairs,” has found new life.
He shocked the Brickyard by qualifying second on Saturday. Fans responded by sweeping through his merchandise trailer and cheering his name each time it was announced.
Martin then endured Sunday’s joke of a race - a bland referendum on the state of Goodyear tires interspersed with ceaseless yellow caution flags and pit-road ventures - by running a smart, consistent path. He stayed out of trouble. He gave up the low groove to faster cars and ran high when he knew his own was a step slower. He fought and consistently stayed in the top-20 as other drivers floated up and down, aimlessly. And when Martin eventually withstood Sunday’s tire war, finishing 11th, his work was done.
Martin, the 49-year-old relic, visited historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway and left behind his own little piece of history.
And when Martin spoke of his work - his job - he spoke with reverence.
He called racing “life.”
Racing.
Life.
They’re synonymous for Martin.
And that’s why he’s survived the new, young NASCAR and its new world order.
“When I drive fast race cars, that is life. That is what life is all about,” Martin said. “I won’t have a chance to do that very much longer. So, you know, this is (all) very precious to me.”
Age not a factor for Martin
By Sam King
Journal and Courier
July 28, 2008INDIANAPOLIS — No disrespect to Mark Martin, but Ryan Newman doesn’t see himself heading down the same path as his NASCAR competitor.
Newman, who earned a bachelor of science in vehicle structure engineering from Purdue in 2001, hopes by the time he is 49, he won’t have to worry about making comebacks in order to finally gain a championship.
At the same time, he doesn’t believe age hinders one’s abilities as it does in other sports.
“My goal is to win a championship before I am 40-something years old,” said Newman, who is seeking employment for next season. “I don’t think age makes a difference as much as people think age makes a difference.”
Newman is 30 with plenty of years before he reaches Martin’s age. Perhaps Newman is correct in his statement that age isn’t totally a determining factor on when it’s time to retire.
Martin announced his retirement in 2005 and again in 2006. He recently signed to drive full-time for Hendrick Motorsports in 2009 with one last hope of winning a title and will drive part time in 2010.
Martin, who finished 11th Sunday in the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, isn’t alone in his repeated attempts to find rides.
Morgan Shepherd, 66, still qualifies for Nationwide Series events and led three laps in Saturday’s Kroger 200 at O’Reilly Raceway Park. Bill Elliott, 52, still occasionally attempts to make races.
Both have past success. Elliott has won the Daytona 500 twice, the 1988 Cup title and the 2002 Brickyard 400. Shepherd won four Cup races, including one at Atlanta at the age of 51.
Seven-time Cup champion Dale Earnhardt was nearing his 50th birthday when he died after slamming into the wall during the 2001 Daytona 500 while competing for the win on the final lap.
Past drivers have encountered success after their 50th birthday.
Harry Gant won eight Cup races after celebrating his golden birthday. Bobby Allison captured his third Daytona 500 in 1988 at 50.
So perhaps it’s not the same, as is the case with other sports where Julio Franco defied the laws of athleticism by competing in Major League Baseball until he was 49 or where the immortal Michael Jordan could no longer score at will.
But at the same time, some legends of NASCAR have slowed down considerably as they got older.
The sport’s all-time wins leader and championships record holder Richard Petty and three-time champ Darrell Waltrip both failed to win a race in the final eight years of their career.
Dale Jarrett retired from racing in May at 51, taking a job as a TV analyst. Since, he has had little desire to get back in the driver’s seat. Other drivers seem to be unable to follow that notion.
“Everybody is made up different,” Jarrett said. “As far as coming back, I am not going to do that. The other guys, I can’t answer for. If you do something for such a long time, you just love to do it and it’s hard to give up.”
Rusty Wallace, like Martin, announced his retirement in 2005. Wallace still desires to race, but said he won’t act on it.
“I also knew when I retired there were a lot of people that would retire and come back whether it was in motorsports or others might be in something else,” Wallace said. “I committed myself not to do that. If I did that, I thought it would tarnish my reputation.”
For Martin, it isn’t that easy.
“I’m not good at anything else,” he claims. When I drive fast cars, that’s what life is all about.”
Mark Martin Post Race Notes & Quotes - Allstate 400 at the Brickyard
GM Racing
July 27, 2008MARK MARTIN, NO. 8 U.S. ARMY CHEVROLET IMPALA SS - Finished 11th
"Nobody is to blame, as everybody did the best they could. It was just an unfortunate circumstance with the tire wear out here today. I hate if for this U.S. Army Race Team. We had a monster motor and a great race car today. We definitely had a top-five car.
“We probably didn’t have anything for Jimmie Johnson, so I wasn’t going to be able to back up my prediction, but we had a lot better car than where we finished (11th).
“We just pushed it a little too hard twice at the start, and we got caught twice under green,” added Martin. “I didn’t think that would happen to us, but I was wrong. After that it was just very hard to make your way back to the front. We really had to keep taking four tires to keep the right sides on, so we were not able to get position in the pits.
“Still the team gave me a great car today. ECR (Earnhardt-Childress Racing) gave me a great engine and it’s just unfortunate the way it all turned out.”
Mark Martin Indianapolis Post Quotes - Allstate 400 at the Brickyard
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
July 27, 2008MARK MARTIN (No. 8 U.S. Army Chevrolet)
"It was frustrating. It wasn't bad, because they started to throw the cautions soon enough. At the beginning, it wasn't soon enough. But at the end, they started throwing it sooner. And of course we got caught twice, but after they got the hang of it and saw that it was going to take 10 lap runs only, it was OK."
(About getting into rhythm when there are so many stops): "It's unfortunate that it worked out that way. I hate it for this U.S. Army team. We had a monster motor in there today and we had a great race car. Probably a top-five car. Probably nothing for Jimmie Johnson, so I wasn't going to be able to back up my prediction, but we had a lot better car than we finished because we pushed a little hard a little soon and got caught twice out on tires, and we had to pit under the green. It was just hard to make your way back up through there."
(About who's to blame for poor racing): "Everybody did the best they could today. There is no blame. Everybody did the best they could. It's an unfortunate circumstance."
Martin Battles Back To 11th-Place Finish In NASCAR's Bizarre Brickyard 400
Tire wear wreaks havoc in competition caution-filled race at Indy
DEI
July 27, 2008After experiencing tire problems early in Sunday's Brickyard 400, U.S. Army driver Mark Martin battled back to an 11th-place finish.
In one of the most bizarre races in recent NASCAR history, Martin and the rest of the field were unable to go past 10 green-flag laps before their right-side tires would wear to the cords on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“Nobody is to blame, as everybody did the best they could," said Martin, who started on the outside of the front row. "It was just an unfortunate circumstance with the tire wear out here today. I hate it for this U.S. Army Race Team. We had a monster motor and a great race car today. We definitely had a top-five car. We probably didn’t have anything for (race winner) Jimmie Johnson, so I wasn’t going to be able to back up my prediction, but we had a lot better car than where we finished."
“We just pushed it a little too hard twice at the start, and we got caught twice under green. I didn’t think that would happen to us, but I was wrong. After that it was just very hard to make your way back up to the front. We really had to keep taking four tires to keep the right sides on, so we were not able to get position in the pits.
“Still the team gave me a great car today. ECR (Earnhardt-Childress Racing) gave me a great engine and it’s just unfortunate the way it all turned out. But like our brave soldiers who inspire us week in and week out, we will never quit. We will soldier on and keeping fighting for that win."
Martin's U.S. Army Chevrolet Impala SS was bit early by the tire bug, as he was forced to come down pit road twice under green, dropping the veteran as far back as 35th position by Lap 45 of 160.
The veteran would spend the rest of race battling back through the field, but with NASCAR being forced to issue competition cautions after 11 laps of green-flag racing, it would be a battle of two steps forward and one step backwards for Martin.
Eventually, Martin and crew chief Tony Gibson opted for right-side tires only after the final competition caution on Lap 149. Martin restarted in 14th position and was able to fight his way back to 11th.
Martin and the U.S. Army team will return to action next weekend at Pocono Raceway, where Martin boasts 19 top-five and 30 top-10 finishes, including a 10th-place result in early June.
Mark Martin Post Qualifying Notes & Quotes - Allstate 400 at the Brickyard
GM Racing
July 26, 2008MARK MARTIN, NO. 8 US ARMY IMPALA SS - Qualified 2nd:
Thank goodness for a great team, DEI and the US Army team. That car was phenomenal. I just couldn't believe it when I came off four coming for the green, I say 'O man, we got something right here.' I can't think about it, I won't let myself think about winning here at the Brickyard. I really really, really like to see Tony Gibson's face in victory lane this year. We were so close at Phoenix and that disappoint broke all our hearts. This race team is due and they deserve it, I sure would like to go with them."
Mark Martin Qualifying - Allstate 400 at the Brickyard
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
July 26, 2008MARK MARTIN (No. 8 U.S. Army Chevrolet): "The car wanted to go. It sure did. When I came out of Turn 4 and came down to take the green flag, I thought, 'Man, we've got something here.' I'm just so grateful to the U.S. Army and DEI for letting me drive their car. It's just phenomenal. It's really a lot of fun. It's really nice. There's been times when I thought times like this were done forever, and this is real special. It's real special because DEI, this race team, really, really deserves this. They're putting out great quality race cars on the racetrack and a great effort and people with big hearts that are really devoted to Dale Earnhardt Incorporated, and I'm glad to see and be a part of their success."
(About being surprised with good late day run): "Late in the day, yes. I'm not surprised in the performance of the car. I didn't expect to qualify this well, you know, with this kind of draw, but I knew we would have a great race car. Tony and the guys gave me a great race car at Phoenix and Richmond, and I felt like they would translate well into these flat corners, as well. We have a little bit of work to do later this afternoon to get it that good in race trim, but if we can get it that good and the stars line up, you know, this race team is due a win, and I'd sure like to go with them and see that on their face."
(About coming to terms with retirement): "I don't think I have because I haven't quit yet. I'm not sure I've reconciled all of that. The 8 car has given me new enthusiasm for the passion for the racing that I love. I love racing, and I'm not ready to quit yet. Being with these guys has given me the confidence and enthusiasm and has rejuvenated my love for this sport, and I am definitely enjoying it. It's a real privilege to drive their car. I can (relate to Brett Favre), and unfortunately it's not going as well for him as it is for me. I'm not much of a football fan, but Matt Kenseth tells me he's pretty darn good at what he does. I think that when you've devoted your whole life's work at something and you're really, really good at it, and you're still really good at it, it's hard to find anything to fill that void. I have very few regrets, and the couple of regrets that I do have, I don't have to think about. Right now, I'm awfully happy to be driving the Army's car for DEI. Gosh, they give me good race cars, and it's lots of fun."
Allstate 400 at the Brickyard Post Qualifying Press Conference
Questions for Mark Martin
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
July 26, 2008MODERATOR: First up, second fastest qualifier, the driver of the No. 8 U.S. Army Chevrolet, Mark Martin. Mark, you've been talking about confidence recently, and tell us about that lap today?
MARK MARTIN: I really knew we had something when we came off of (Turn) 4 for the green flag there. It really flew through Turn 4 coming in for the green. I knew we had something.
The car was just spectacular. You know, just really want to commend the U.S. Army team and everybody at DEI, Tony Gibson and ECR, Earnhardt/Childress Racing Engines. They've got a real special engine in that car this weekend.
I really appreciate their dedication and everyone's dedication in putting me in such incredible race cars.
It was a great lap. That's one step in not embarrassing myself. You know, I predicted that we were going to be strong here this weekend, so at least we've been strong in qualifying. Hopefully, we can go out and back that up with a tremendous run and contend for this thing tomorrow.
I really, really would love to see the 8 team in Victory Lane, and I'd like to enjoy that with them. They're overdue, and they deserve it. All those guys have really big hearts, and they're really dedicated to this program. I'd like to see that for them.
Q: What would it mean to you to win this race at this point in your career? You've done so much already?
MARTIN: You know, I don't think about it in terms of me. I think about it as my team. I couldn't be a contender if it wasn't for the heart and dedication of all the guys that work on the 8 team and everybody at DEI.
I think about them. I don't think about the trophy and what it would mean to me personally. I think about what it would mean to see their face in Victory Lane.
MARTIN: Chad wanted me to ask you if you could tell me what springs are in your car? They seem to be working better than mine (laughing).
JOHNSON: You'll know in December (laughing).
MARTIN: Expect me to mess up. It's Mark Martin, and I'm with the U.S. Army 8 car. What springs are in your car?
JOHNSON: You'll know in December (laughing).
MARTIN: Thank you.
MODERATOR: If you have questions for the second-fastest qualifier, driver of the No. 8 Army Chevrolet has graciously agreed to come back.
Q: Mark, you said at Pocono with Jimmie sitting right there that you planned on winning the Brickyard. Why did you think that then, and I guess your strong qualifying efforts shows that you knew something was coming?
MARTIN: After the first practice yesterday, I was feeling a little bit like a heel. But I've been a heel many times before, but not for this reason though, I haven't.
I felt like we had a really incredible car at Phoenix, and a pretty doggone good car at Richmond, too. We parked this car. It was new at Phoenix, and we parked it after Richmond and earmarked it for Indy.
I felt like the same setup, geometry and all that stuff would work well here in these flat corners. Based on not having any testing here or anything else, I felt like that was the best place to start setup wise. It was, you know.
We fought some issues coming out of the gate yesterday. I'm sure a lot of people did. But we got the car some better in race trim, switched to qualifying trim, made four qualifying runs and improved the car each time. And some of that will translate back to race trim.
So with these next two hours, I believe and I hope, I have great hopes that we can get the car in race trim as good as we did in qualifying trim or as good as it was in Phoenix. If we do that, why shouldn't I think we can win?
Q: Why is it so difficult for athletes and not just in your sport but all sports, to step away and stay away?
MARTIN: Well, because it's hard to describe to anyone that hasn't done that and been there. You know, it's their life's work. It's their passion. For me, I don't have the same kind of passion toward anything else. That is going to be a tremendous void for me unless I find something.
I have a couple of ideas, you know, but they certainly don't fill the passion completely. I have a couple ideas. It's something everyone has to face, just as I saw my grandfather, my dad take the car keys away from my grandfather. That was a really hard day, you know.
At some point in time you have to meet those kinds of things all through life. I think for a professional athlete that is pretty good at what he does, that comes earlier in life than maybe, you know, the example I gave you with my grandfather.
It's just I'm not any good at anything else. Never was, that's why I liked racing, that's why I liked racing.
Q: How old was your grandfather?
MARTIN: He was 100 when he died. But he got the car taken away from him around 90, 88 or 90. Yeah. He lived by himself until he was like 97. He was in very good shape, but he didn't see well. When he hit somebody on a bicycle, I think they finally decided to take the keys away from him. It was kind of a tough time in his life.
Q: What was his name?
MARTIN: Clyde Martin. My dad's dad.
Q: There's been a lot of talk this year about the new optimistic happy Mark Martin. Even Jimmie was talking about it, saying he doesn't even recognize you sometimes talking to you about winning the Brickyard. What has changed this year, or do you feel like anything has changed?
MARTIN: A lot has changed. You know, I really had a chance to catch my breath the last year and a half, you know. It took a while last year when I started setting out and staying at home and spending quality time with my family. Really feeling like I got my personal life sort of in order the way I wanted it, and priorities kind of moved around.
I've had a lot of pressure off of me, because I haven't worried about a single point for a year and a half. So I haven't had that riding on me. I felt like I've got a lot off my shoulders right now.
It's also given me a chance to reassess what's important to me. You know, I love my family with all my heart. The time that I spend with them, you know, is precious to me.
I also realize almost all my friends are here. This is an important part of my life. It's been my life’s work for 35 years. And on a good day, I'm still pretty good at it. If I wasn't, I'd be staying at home.
The chance to drive the Army car, the 8 car for DEI this year has been, you know, you guys have seen it. When I drive fast race cars, that is life. That is what life is all about. I won't have a chance to do that very much longer. So, you know, that is also very precious to me.
I'm having the time of my life. I can see the end out there not too far away, and boy, I believe I'm making the best of it. I have a total different I'm a happy person. I don't presently, I don't do anything I don't want to do. For a long time, I felt like I was doing a lot of stuff I didn't want to do. So right now I'm doing everything that I want to do and nothing that I don't want to do. So why shouldn't I be happy and optimistic?
Q: NASCAR relies on youth and image seemingly more than ever to reach out to fans. What's it mean to you to come to one of NASCAR's premier events and have the success that you're having right now?
MARTIN: You just don't know what it means to me to be competitive and drive a fast race car. The fan response is overwhelming. For some reason I just really have I think that a lot of your general race fans that aren't particularly my fans still kind of use me as a secondary fan because I'm the last of the gray hairs out there to some degree, you know?
I think a lot of fans that aren't kids can identify with that. You know, I certainly see a lot of Dale Jr. apparel coming up with tremendous enthusiasm to me and getting autographs and stuff.
So I really, to be honest with you, feel like the only reason I know that some people might say that I have pretty good results on the racetrack, but I really truly believe the only reason I still have a job in this sport is because of the fans' support. I'm still, you know, still supported strongly by the fans, and that is recognized by the sponsors.
Usually when you get to this stage in your career, it's hard to get sponsors to line up behind you. And I've been really blessed in that respect.
Q: You had mentioned before you probably have a few things that at least stir a little bit of passion in your racing. Would you share any of those other sort of things that stir you up a little bit?
MARTIN: Business aviation is something that I lay in bed awake at night thinking about. You know, different ratios, sometimes it's 50 50, racing and business aviation. Sometimes it's, you know, obviously more racing, but I think about it a lot.
I do have a great passion for it. I don't understand how I could do it and not just run the bank account dry. I don't know. Business aviation is not something cheap. I haven't figured out how I can be a ... what I'd really like to be is maybe a demo pilot for a Cessna or the Citation brands and fly all the Citations and take passengers around.
Take a nap in the pilot's lounge while passengers were doing their things. Those things are kind of dark and cool. Those pilot's lounges. That's kind of cool. That would be something that might rival the racing thing for me. When I knew that I wasn't going to be able to drive a competitive car or be competitive with myself.
Obviously, I have great passion for my family, but that's a different kind of thing. You know, Matt doesn't race, so I don't have that to share with him. So I really can't think of anything else other than business aviation.
I'm not a sport flyer and into little airplanes and turning it over and all that acrobatics. I'm not into any of that. I'm into business jets. I'm into going from one place to another for business.
I'm not a sport flyer, like many people are excited and thrilled about that. But for me, I just really like flying jet airplanes.
Q: At Daytona you talked about going there in '83 when you didn't even have a garage pass.
MARTIN: '84.
Q: Do you have any different kind of experience of that, a close call of anything here that when you come to the Brickyard it makes you want to win this race?
MARTIN: Yeah, I've got a story. I'm not sure which year it was, but it was the year that Ricky (Rudd) won. We were in a battle with Jeff Gordon and someone else for the championship. I know it was early August, but you got to race every race like that.
That was late '90s, I guess it was. We had a history of running out of gas. Huge history of running out of gas, including running out with 25 miles to go running at Daytona. Thought we could make it all the way.
So when I passed Ricky Rudd, and I was running I believe third, I know Gordon was in front of me and probably the other car that we were worried about for the championship. A caution came out, and I had just passed Ricky. We were strong.
Those two pitted for gas. Jack (Roush) said we could make it on gas, and Steve Hmiel's like, "Hmm, hmm." Jack says we can make it on gas. And Steve's like (imitating) and I'm like (imitating), I've run out at least 50 times, you know. So I followed those guys in, and Ricky won the race.
So, you know, had I stayed out, Jack swears we had plenty of gas. I don't know. But, you know, that was our win. If we could have. You know, we just had such a horrible history on gas mileage, and that continues right to Phoenix this year.
But that's my story. That's my story on here. That was our the race that the two guys pulled out with 15 laps to go or whatever. And no way anybody was coming from behind, because I had already passed Ricky and was driving on. But I was more worried about points than winning the Brickyard at the time. We see how that worked out for me.
MODERATOR: I believe that was 1997 that year.
MARTIN: OK.
Q: What do you need from yourself, the car and the conditions in order to make your prediction come true tomorrow and get that win?
MARTIN: I need to make absolutely no mistakes. I have to be on my game and make absolutely no mistakes. My team just needs to do their routine work on pit road. They are on it, on their game.
And the other important part of it is we need to get the car wired in in happy hour as awesome as it was today in qualifying. Then we need to keep it wired in tomorrow, and we need the strongest guys in the field to not get wired in better.
Then we need all those things I talked about. We need gas to not get in the way, because I won't have the longest gas mileage of people out there. So I don't think I'll win it on gas mileage, so we need to not lose it on gas mileage.
We need all the other scenarios to lineup perfectly so that somebody doesn't do something that puts them in a position you know, positions themselves ahead of us at the end and me not having enough race car to get by them. So you're asking an awful lot, and I realize that. I respect how hard it is to win these races.
This team needs, you know, and I don't I didn't feel like when I made this statement I didn't feel like Babe Ruth pointing at where he was going to knock it out. Maybe it was, but I didn't mean it that way.
But I did mean that we were going to come here and be strong. I feel like that no matter what happens tomorrow, I can half way save face on that because we were top 10 in both practices, and we qualified second. So, I think that prediction is coming true.
Q: You talked about ... actually you mentioned Babe Ruth and you wanted to declare winning this race. What's that going to mean for your fan base?
MARTIN: You know, to me it would mean a lot to my fans, and it would mean a lot to a lot of race fans. Because a lot of race fans that aren't my fans, you know, would be happy to see for me.
But I don't think of it in terms of what it would be for me or my trophy or any of that. When I think about it, I think about DEI and Tony Gibson and the guys, everybody at DEI. They've weathered the storm from this time last year, you know, with the merger. Because with Dale Jr.'s departure and all of that, they deserve a lot of credit for keeping that program together and keeping it strong.
I really feel fortunate to be driving their car. It could have definitely gone the other way. It could have all crumbled. They could have allowed it to crumble, and they all could have ran for cover, but they just not to. They just to keep it together and be strong. I'm proud to be a part of it.
MODERATOR: Mark, thank you, and thank you so much for coming back.
MARTIN: Thank you, guys.
Mark Martin Media Q & A at IMS
GM Racing
July 25, 2008MARK MARTIN, DRIVER OF THE NO. 8 U.S. ARMY IMPALA SS met with members of the media at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and discussed what it would mean to win at Indy, what the Indianapolis Motor Speedway means to him, running full-time next year and more.
Q. Why safe? You're usually more moderate in your pronouncements.
MARK MARTIN: I'm not sure I said exactly what you guys take and run with. I'm not sure I did a Mohammed Ali. You know, I do feel very confident that we'll have a car here that will be strong enough to be a contender to win this race. I might say that every week - maybe. But, you know, believing it deep down inside I usually know that's a bigger challenge than it might be here this week.
I believe that you can run the same stuff here that you can run at Phoenix. And I believe that we had the fastest car on the racetrack at Phoenix. It's that simple.
Q. This racetrack, is it one of those that you feel comfortable on, sort of a track you took to? It's a challenging racetrack.
MARK MARTIN: It is a challenging racetrack. And, no, it wasn't anywhere near my favorite, you know, coming out of the box. I felt like the shape of this racetrack was not conducive for great racing. What happened was I was wrong about that to some degree, and what made me wrong about that was the grinding. That is crucial to the stock cars being able to race well here. In other words, if they repave it, don't grind it, you can come back and (indiscernible) it anyway. It is a good race to race for stock cars, and it's a fun place to race. But it is sensitive to the grinding. We need that additional grip. That grinding that they do, the diamond grinding that they do, gives it additional grip that really makes the stock cars work here.
Q. I heard you say more in the last year, couple years, during the race weekend, Yeah, I feel good about my chances, feel good about my racecar. Seems we've heard that more in the last couple years than we used to. Was there something that changed in you that you became a little more willing to say you felt good about things?
MARK MARTIN: Well, you know, I was in the 6 car for 19 years. Expectations tend to kill -- expectations can tend to drag you down, you know. My expectations were so high and so hard to meet in the 6 car, you know, that I think had a negative effect on me because the expectations were so high. It was so hard to continue to meet, you know, my expectations for the 6 car, for me in the 6 car.
When I got out of the 6 car, I was so grateful for the opportunity to drive cars that were as good as what I previously felt like weren't good enough. Does that make any sense? I was very grateful for a chance to almost win the Daytona 500 in the 01. I hadn't had that in the 6 car, you know. And I was very grateful the next week when we went to California and we ran fifth, you know, in California. It surprised me. The expectations weren't as high for the 01 as they were. My expectations were not as high, although they were pretty high for Daytona because I'd seen those cars run very well. I'm also very cautious about what I expect.
I think I let the 6 car's expectations drag me down. And I feel like a brand-new person. You know, I feel really, really grateful for the opportunity to drive the 8 car and drive cars that are competitive, very competitive, top 10 cars.
Q. Jeff Burton just said that the opportunity you had the last couple years to get away from the sport makes you appreciate it more when you come back.
MARK MARTIN: Absolutely. No doubt about it. It makes me appreciate all the things that you take for granted. I did this stuff for 19 years. You know, get ground down into the ground, you know. You know, as I stepped back, caught my breath, did the things that I couldn't do before, and was frustrated because I couldn't, didn't have time to do, now that I stepped back, caught my breath, and I've done those things, you know, I really appreciate it all. I feel like I've got it all now, where I felt like my life was one-sided, lopsided before. I feel like I've made a complete circle now, you know, with every aspect.
Q. You grew up in stock cars. You didn't grow up in the south where everybody pointed towards Daytona. You grew up in the Midwest where everything was pointed towards Indy, but in stock cars. What did this track mean for you?
MARK MARTIN: Well, you know, growing up in Arkansas, coverage wasn't great when I grew up in Arkansas of any motor racing. Obviously, the Indy 500 was the biggest race of all at that time to me. So I thought, you know, the Indy 500 was the deal. As I started in stock car racing, that's when my dad started taking me. I went to Daytona as a spectator in '73, '4, '5, '6 range. You know, that's when I got interested in NASCAR racing. But growing up as a young man in Arkansas, before I started racing, the Indy 500 was "the" race.
Q. Coming to this race must have been like going to Oz?
MARK MARTIN: It was and it wasn't. To me, I didn't feel like I was coming to the Indy 500. You know, we were bringing the stock cars in here, so it felt a little strange. And there was so much hype built up around it that it was too much.
Q. You're not a hype guy, are you?
MARK MARTIN: It was too much for me. It's kind of like when they play the same good song on the radio too many times, just enough's enough.
And what happened was, I grew more fond of this place, the Brickyard 400, with each and every year. I love it now. I love it. I'm excited about being here. I'm excited about the race I had here last year. I'm excited about the race I had the year before in the 6 car here. Great, great runs. So it has really grown on me in its own right. A lot of it has to do with that grinding of the racetrack. It's made it real racy for the NASCAR folks.
Q. Your experience with the other cars, does that contribute to the confidence level you obviously feel coming here?
MARK MARTIN: I think we had a great run with 01 here last year. We had a great run the year before in the 6 car. The confidence really comes from how good the 8 car was at Phoenix and Richmond. I know that this racetrack is not like those places, but the corners are flat. I believe that they have a tremendous flat track setup at the 8 car and I think it's going to work for us here. I expect it to. I know we're all in for a lot of surprises 'cause we haven't tested here or anything with the COT. Everybody's going to be scrambling, but that's another reason why I feel we'll be in such good shape, because I really believe what we used at Phoenix and Richmond will work here and we'll be able to tune around it and maybe hit that target quicker than our competition, a lot of our competition.
Q. I read that you were so confident coming here that you feel like you're going to win, it's like, did they get Mark Martin right?
MARK MARTIN: It wasn't a full-fledged Mohammed Ali, but I do have a lot of confidence coming in here. I know Tony Gibson in the Army team to get it done on pit road. I really, really like the way our car worked at Phoenix and Richmond, and I feel that these corners are a lot like those. I just think that with limited track time here for everyone that we can maybe hit the target closer than most.
Q. When you see stuff like Brett Favre's tearful retirement press conference, now he wants to come back. You said, I'm going to cut back and see what happens. When you see stuff like that, how fortunate do you feel you did things the right way?
MARK MARTIN: I know what he's going through, what he's feeling. I think you can make a mistake to quit too soon. I think some people think it's a huge mistake to stay too long. I've said that's the truth, or I believe that's the truth. And I don't want to stay too long. But I certainly believe that no one could argue the case that I'm staying too long right now based on the results that we're getting on the racetrack. And as long as I'm getting those kind of results, I've had a chance to catch my breath and look around and take stock of my life, and I realize that a huge part of my life is the people at the racetrack, is the race fans, is the crew and the drivers. The friends I have, you know, are a good portion of my life, have been for 35 years. I want some other portions in my life. I've got those squared away right now. I don't want to walk away from something that has been such an important part of my life until I either can't do it or I don't want to do it any more. And neither are the case, you know. Neither are the case, so..
Q. How excited were you to get a full-time ride next year? Now that you've had time to think about it, still excited?
MARK MARTIN: I'm real excited about driving the 5 car. I wasn't looking for a full-time ride. But, you know, I had a lot of talks with Rick, and we discussed a lot about the schedule, limited schedule. When it finally boiled right down to it, you know, he did a good car salesman trick. He made me want it really bad, you know, and then he told me it was going to have to be one full schedule. At that point I couldn't give it up.
Q. How did the family take that?
MARK MARTIN: They were involved in it before the decision was made.
Q. How hard is it for I guess any athlete to walk away, especially one that's been successful?
MARK MARTIN: I don't know that you can -- you know, I don't know that I'm bright enough to really truly explain that to you. It's hard to explain something. When you're really, really, really good at something, and you're not really good at anything else, and nothing else gives you the same satisfaction, you know, and you can still do it, then why would you quit, you know? I guess, sure, I wouldn't sign a five-year contract or run full-time for five years. If it was that or quit, I guess I'd have to quit, I'd have to walk away.
The drive, the passion, the fire that makes certain people rise to the very top of their profession is not something that you really -- it's something that's hard to live without.
And until I find something else in my life that I can have that same kind of fire and passion for, I don't know what else I would do. I've enjoyed my time off. I've needed two years of catching my breath and spending time with my family and getting all my affairs in order. But I still want to be involved in racing. And for now that means driving.
Q. As a guy who's come so close to so many things, championships, the Daytona 500 a couple years ago, what would it mean to you personally if at this stage of your career you could walk out of here the winner Sunday night?
MARK MARTIN: Well, you know, I don't even think about what it would mean to me. I think about what it would mean to DEI and for the U.S. Army team, Tony Gibson, all the guys. They have a real special place in my heart. I want to see their face in Victory Lane.
Q. You have expressed disappointment about coming close at Daytona. I would think winning here would have some effect on you. MARK MARTIN: Don't worry about all that. You can't make a story out of that. We're not worrying about all that. We're going to try to win this race. We're not thinking about 2007. We're gonna try to win this race. 2007 Daytona 500's not on my mind. Nothing will change the results of that or whatever. That's behind us.
Q. What is making all the other teams say they need to watch out for you this year?
MARK MARTIN: We have a very strong race team, the 8 team, Tony Gibson, the U.S. Army team is strong. Our flat track program has been exceptionally strong, especially at Phoenix and Richmond. And I expect that it will be really well here. They have something really working on the flatter racetracks for us. And this team is a team that can do it. You know, we might be due.
Mark Martin Race Preview - Allstate 400 at the Brickyard
Martin 'calls shot ' for Brickyard victory
DEI
July 22, 2008After an off weekend in the Sprint Cup Series, Mark Martin and the No. 8 U.S. Army Race Team return to action this weekend at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway where Martin and the team will set their sights on one of the crown jewels in all of motorsports -- the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard.
MARK MARTIN AT INDIANAPOLIS
Starts: 14
Wins: --
Top 5's: 5
Top 10's: 9
Poles: --
Highest finish: 2nd ('98)
First time: 8/6/94 (35th)
Last Year: 7/28/07 (6th)MARTIN AT THE BRICKYARD
Martin has finished inside the top 10 in nine of his 14 starts at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, including a sixth-place run there last year. Furthermore, Martin has scored top-10 finishes in the last three races at the Brickyard and in four of the last five. If not for running over a piece of debris on the final lap of the first ever Sprint Cup Series green-white-checkered finish in 2004, Martin would have five consecutive top-10 finishes at Indy.
Martin’s success at the Brickyard has been a story of hot and cold. He finished 35th in the inaugural race there in 1994 after getting caught up in an accident. He then posted five straight top-six runs from 1995-1999. Martin has finished either top nine, or 22nd or worse in all 14 of his starts at Indy.
MARK MARTIN FAST FACTS - INDIANAPOLIS
Martin has finished inside the top 10 in nine of 14 starts at Indy and inside the top seven five times.
Martin has finished top five in five of 14 starts at Indy.
Martin has finished top 10 in his last three races at Indy and in four of the last five.
Martin finished sixth at Indy last season and fifth in '06.
Martin has won three IROC races at Indy (’98, ’99 and 2000).
Martin has finished either top nine, or 22nd or worse in all 14 of his starts at Indy.
WORTHY NOTE
Martin has finished top 10 in his last three races at Indy and in four of the last five.
MARK MARTIN - LAST YEAR AT INDIANAPOLIS
July 28, 2007
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Started 13th, Finished 6thMartin overcame a broken gear and a pit road speeding penalty to finish sixth in last year's running of the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. The strong performance added to Martin’s impressive record at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It was his ninth top-10 finish in 14 starts at the 2.5-mile oval.
Martin started the 160 lap, 400-mile race from the 13th position. But only 12 laps into the event, he informed the crew that second gear was broken in his U.S. Army Chevrolet. While Martin had major concern with the broken gear, and even told his crew not to get their hopes up too high, the savvy veteran delicately drove the U.S. Army Chevrolet for the remaining 148 laps.
But as serious as the gear problem was, that didn’t stop Martin from marching to the front. He broke into the top 10 on Lap 28 and was running fifth moments before the caution came out on Lap 59. After a quick pit stop by the 01 crew, Martin was struck with another problem. He was assessed a pit-road speeding penalty by NASCAR on Lap 62. The infraction sent him back to 26th place.
But the Army team soldiered on with an even stronger tenacity. The combination of Martin’s driving skills and race strategy by crew chief Ryan Pemberton pushed the 01 Chevy back to the front. Martin was in the top 10 by Lap 109.
CALLING HIS SHOT
Martin shocked several members of the media by basically predicting a Brickyard win earlier this year in the media center after qualifying at Pocono.
"I’m planning on winning the Brickyard in the No. 8 car. We have the stuff, we have the team. The cars are awesome on flat tracks like Phoenix and Richmond...I believe we can adapt that setup to work better at Indy. The team is strong enough on pit road and (crew chief) Tony Gibson and the guys on that team are due a win," said Martin to a stunned media on hand in Pocono.
LOOKING TO KISS THE BRICKS
Indy is one of six tracks (Loudon, Daytona, Chicago, Pocono and Homestead) where the veteran has not won in a Sprint Cup point race. Ironically five of those six tracks come in order on the Cup schedule from late June into August.
QUOTING MARK ON INDIANAPOLIS
"I've been looking to this race for quite some time actually. A few weeks ago, we kind of shocked everyone in the media center when I said that we were going to Indy looking to win the Brickyard 400, but I meant what I said. Indy is one of the crown jewels of racing and we have the team that can get it done. Our car was awesome at Phoenix and Richmond and we parked it after that in order to have it for the Brickyard 400. What we learned at those tracks should really apply well at Indy and I'm excited about our chances this weekend.
"This U.S. Army Team is strong enough on pit road and (crew chief) Tony Gibson and the guys on this team are due a win. Nothing will make me happier than to see their faces in victory lane. Sometimes miracles happen and it all works out. It almost did at Daytona for us last year, and Daytona and the Brickyard are the two that would be crown jewels of my career. This team can do it."
Mark Martin Rebounds to Finish 17th at Chicagoland
DEI
July 13, 2008Mark Martin rebounded from a late mishap on pit road to finish 17th in the LifeLock.com 400 Saturday night at Chicagoland Speedway. Martin ran as high as seventh in the Sprint Cup race, but struggled late in the event to find the handling on his No. 8 U.S. Army Chevrolet Impala SS.
Martin was running 13th when he came down pit road under caution on Lap 225 of 267. But he overshot his pit stall, which cost him valuable track position as he dropped back to 24th place. He would spend the remainder of the race battling his way back to the front at the 1.5-mile oval.
“I want to thank (crew chief) Tony Gibson and this No. 8 U.S. Army Team for an awesome job in the pits and a really nice race car tonight,” said Martin. “I have to apologize to them for messing it up there in the pits. That was a really costly mistake on my part and I apologize to everyone, including our soldiers who inspire me every week. Our soldiers never quit and this Army team will never quit. We'll take our lumps and come back strong at Indy."
“We had a pretty good car tonight,” added Martin. “The handling went away a little late and it got pretty loose. After starting strong it appeared that we were going to achieve a much better finish than we got.”
Martin started the race 16th based on the Sprint Cup owner points after qualifying was rained out on Thursday. He powered his No. 8 Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevy all the way inside the top 10 by Lap 70, before advancing to as high as seventh on Lap 127.
The Army pit crew enjoyed a stellar night on pit road, posting several speedy stops of 13.30 seconds and under.
After an off weekend, the team will return to action in two weeks for the Brickyard 400 at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Martin has posted five top-fives and nine top-10s in 14 starts in the Brickyard 400. He finished sixth last year.
Mark Martin Media Visit - Chicagoland
GM Racing
July 10, 2008MARK MARTIN, NO. 8 US ARMY IMPALA SS, met with members of the media at Chicagoland Speedway and discussed this weekend's race, Tony Stewart's ownership announcement, his relationship with Richard Petty, the Brickyard, and more.
TALK ABOUT THIS WEEKEND'S RACE
"I sure would like to get Tony Gibson and this US Army team a win. That is really where my focus is. They have had me close a couple times this year. It would mean a lot to me. We have run well here, but we haven't closed the deal but we have run well here at times. Today's competition is really all about how you hit it or not, so we are going to do our best."
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON TONY STEWART TAKING AN OWNERSHIP ROLE IN NASCAR SPRINT CUP?
"I think it is cool on one hand. I think it will be really, really exciting if Gibbs puts Joey (Logano) in the No. 20. I have been touting him since he was 12 years old, telling you guys he is coming. Tony Stewart is incredible. I will say what Rick (Hendrick) said, anybody in the business would want to be with Tony. I certainly would be. I didn't get invited and race with him. Had I been, who knows what would have happened. I think a lot of Tony."
WOULD YOU EVER WANT TO TRAVEL DOWN THE ROAD TONY IS GOING?
"It is a road that I don't want to travel. But you know, I have said a lot of stuff that I have changed my mind about. I have no interest in it at this time. But I think it is where Tony wants to be and I think it is the right move for Tony Stewart. It is what he wants to do and he has a lot of passion for it and I think it is the right move for him."
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE HARDEST THING FOR HIM WILL BE AND STILL BEING A DRIVER?
"I assume it will be personnel. I think really the frustrations I experienced with being arm and arm with Jack Roush for 19 years, for me the hardest thing was trying to recruit and have the best personnel and then keep them once you get them. It seems like it was always a challenge."
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH RICHARD PETTY AND WHAT HAS HE MEANT TO THE SPORT?
"I was in awe of Richard Petty from my first introduction as a little boy from Arkansas. He has always been very, very down to earth and is one of the most instrumental in NASCAR being where it is today and all of us being able to do what we are doing has a lot to do with what Richard Petty did."
CAN YOU ENVISION YOURSELF IN THIS SPORT FOR 50 YEARS AS A DRIVER THEN A TEAM OWNER?
"I don't know? I love racing. If I was able to do it on my terms, then I can see me here 50 years. I am half-way there. Certainly could see that if I was having fun and I could contribute to an organization somehow. I am very interested in that."
WHY HAVE YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOCUSED ON THE BRICKYARD?
"I think that Tony Gibson and this Army team have what we need to get it done there. We have a great car for flat tracks. We are taking our car from Phoenix. Our engines are really good right now; pit stops are great. That is one that I think we could, if everything went our way, we can contend for.
Mark Martin Race Preview - LifeLock.com 400
DEIMARTIN LOOKS FOR FIRST WIN AT CHICAGOLAND
JOLIET, Ill. -- After a strong run at Daytona, Mark Martin and the No. 8 U.S. Army Team turn their attention to the 1.5-mile oval of Chicagoland Speedway. Martin will be looking for his third top-10 finish in the last four races this weekend.
MARK MARTIN - AT CHICAGO
Starts: 7
Wins: -
Top 5’s: -
Top 10’s: 3
Poles: --
Highest finish: 6th (’01)
First time: 7-15-01 (6th)
Last Year: 7-15-07 (14th)WORTHY NOTE
Chicagoland is the only track on the Sprint Cup circuit that Martin has never posted a top-five finish.
SHORT HISTORY AT CHICAGOLAND
This will be the Sprint Cup Series’ eighth visit to Chicagoland Speedway, where Martin has finished inside the top 10 in three of his seven visits. He finished sixth in the inaugural race in 2001 and ninth the following year. In 2004, Martin had one of the fastest cars in the race and was running third when he lost his engine with only two laps remaining and was forced to settle for a 24th-place finish. He rebounded in 2005 with a 10th-place result and finished 8th there in 2006 and 14th in a backup car in 2007.
TOP-FIVE SHUTOUT
Chicagoland is the only track on the Sprint Cup circuit where Martin has never posted a top-five.
finish. It is one of four tracks (Chicago, Pocono, Loudon and Daytona) where the veteran has not won in a Sprint Cup point race.
FIRST HALF REVIEW
Martin has competed in 13 of his scheduled 26 events for 2008 (counting the two all-star events). Through his first 13 point races of the season, Martin has tallied two top-five finishes and six top-10s, while completing 99.8 percent of his laps and leading 69 laps. Martin's six top-10 finishes are more than 17 drivers who have competed in all 18 events.
WHAT'S THE POINT
Martin is currently 28th in the Sprint Cup driver points, having missed five events this season. However, Martin has averaged 120.8 points per event in 2008, an average that would have him sitting in ninth place in the standings had the veteran competed in all 18 events.
QUOTING MARK ON CHICAGOLAND
"I'm excited to get back on the track at Chicagoland this weekend. After a weekend of restrictor plate racing, I'll be glad to get back to more of the type of racing that I enjoy. The racing at Chicagoland has gotten better each year as the track has matured and the different grooves have started to come in. It's the kind of place where I think we should see some really good racing this weekend and hopefully we'll have this No. 8 U.S. Army Chevrolet right in the thick of things.
"I know a lot has been going on the past few weeks, but the thing to keep in mind now is that our goal is to finish out this year strong in this No. 8 DEI car. I'm 100 percent committed to helping get Tony Gibson, this entire No. 8 team, Dale Earnhardt Inc. and the U.S. Army into victory lane before this season is over. Everyone has done an outstanding job this season. I've had the time of my life driving these cars and I can't think of a group that is more deserving to win a race. I'm going to do everything I can to make sure that happens. Hopefully we can make a solid run at it this weekend at Chicago."
MARK MARTIN FAST FACTS - CHICAGOLAND
This will be Martin’s eighth start at Chicagoland Speedway.
Martin finished sixth in the inaugural race at Chicagoland in 2001 and 14th there last season.
Martin has a 13.6 average finish at Chicagoland.
Martin has led in four of the seven races at Chicagoland.
Martin is one of 17 drivers who have competed in all seven races at Chicagoland.
Chicagoland is the only track on the Cup circuit where Martin has not posted a top-five finish.
Martin and the the No. 8 U.S. Army are currenlty 17th in Sprint Cup owner points.
MARK MARTIN - LAST YEAR AT CHICAGOLAND
July 15, 2007
Chicagoland Speedway
Started 4th, Finished 14thMark Martin picked up two positions on the final restart to bring home a 14th-place finish in the USG Sheetrock 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. Martin had to come from the back of the field after wrecking his primary car in the early moments of Saturday’s first practice session.
Martin was indeed stout on Friday, qualifying fourth. He was forced to give up his second row starting position after the team went to the backup car and Martin had to start at the back of the field.
The team recovered from the accident and Martin was able to get a full practice session in during Happy Hour on Saturday.
True to character, the veteran U.S. Army driver wasted little time flexing his muscle once the green flag dropped on Sunday, picking up five spots on the race’s first lap. He broke into the top 30 on lap 22 and had moved to 24th on lap 46 when the field began green flag pits stops.
The team used a duo of pit stops, a four tire stop on under green on lap 50 and a two tire stop under the race’s first caution on lap 58 to move Martin up to 17th position on lap 63.
Martin broke into the top 15 on lap 158 and ran inside the top 16 for the remainder of the race. He restarted in 16th position on the last restart of the race with 11 laps remaining and was able to gain two positions to move on to the 14th place finish.
Revitalized Martin's last Cup shot
By Tim Tuttle
SI.com
July 8, 2008Deep down inside, Mark Martin understands it's unlikely he can win the Sprint Cup championship next year. He'll be 50 years old, admittedly past his prime, and two years removed from the rigors of a full season.
Martin will try, of course, because that's what consummate professionals do, and he's made a commitment to run the full schedule for Rick Hendrick. It was the only way Martin could get the job in the No. 5. He'd have preferred another 24- to 26-race program, but it wasn't offered. Martin's choice to return to 36 races for the first time since 2006 was predicated upon joining Hendrick, where he'll have his best opportunity to win.
"The number one factor for me was to drive a car I thought I could win in," Martin said. "The full schedule wasn't my first choice. The notion was floated to me by a number of other teams and the answer was, 'No' -- like I don't even consider it. And I didn't initially jump on top of this. The 26 races has been beautiful for me. It's been perfect. When it finally came down to having to make the decision to do a full schedule, these are [wife Arlene's] words: 'If you're going to drive, that's the deal to do.' I didn't see this coming and wasn't interested in talking about it, really, with other teams."
Martin hasn't won a Cup race since Kansas late in the 2005 season, but he still managed to make the Chase in his final year ('06) with Roush Fenway Racing. He decided to scale back in '07, running 25 races including that memorable second in the Daytona 500 with Ginn Racing and DEI. He's scheduled to run 26 with DEI this season.
There is no doubt that Martin remains a driver capable of winning races and making the Chase. He's driven in 13 of 18 this season and is 28th in the points. He has two top-fives, including a strong run at Phoenix in which he led with 10 laps to go, and for 68 total, before a late pit stop for fuel dropped him to fifth.
Martin's two part-time seasons have given him the rest he needed to make one last full-season run. "I've rekindled my passion for racing and what it means to me and it's also given me a taste of what it would be like not to have that in my life," he explained. "When you're pretty good at something and it's been the focus and driving force of your life for 35 years and you're still pretty good at it, you probably don't want to quit. I don't have anything else, really, beyond the love of family. I thought at the end of 2006 I was fine with couch time the rest of my life. But that was because I was in a frustrated fog of emotion from being worn out."
It's almost forgotten now, but Martin's NASCAR career failed in the mid-1980s. He drove his first entire season -- 30 races and finished 14th in the points -- in 1982, but was in only 16 with four different car owners in 1983.
"In 1983, I got fired by JD Stacy in the Cup series," Martin said. "And I met Arlene at Christmas in 1983. In February, I brought her to Daytona. Not only did I not have a ride, I didn't have a garage pass. I stood outside that fence looking in. Arlene says it scarred me. That forever had an impact on who I am. When you reflect on that, it has a lot to do with the decisions I make. She is the champion of this deal. Not only does she support my decision, but I don't think I would be the person I am today without her shaping the person I have become."
Martin was out of Cup racing in 1984-85 and drove in only six races over the next two seasons. He hooked up with Jack Roush in 1988 and they spent 19 seasons together. They won 35 races and finished second in the championship four times. Martin's decision to leave Roush and join Ginn was a shocker. He had a perfect opportunity to reverse his decision in 2007 when he led the championship early in the season, but stuck to his race-and-rest program. Martin was happy with it, content with his life. Then, Hendrick came calling and made an offer Martin couldn't refuse.
Hendrick believes Martin has a shot at the '09 championship. "I think it's obvious," he said. "I think that's what's intrigued Mark and definitely motivated me. After racing with him and watching him, it's a legitimate [chance] at the championship. He's finished second four times and I'd love to see him have an opportunity to win one."
Martin is taking the one-step-at-a-time approach. "One of the coming-out-of-the-gate' objectives is to help Alan Gustafson, the No. 5 crew chief] and his race team get the confidence that they need to realize their potential and get them in a position to go out and contend for wins," Martin said. "For me personally, I'd like to start with one win because you can't get two until you get one.
"Obviously, as we move forward our goal is to make the Chase and compete for a championship. I look at the shorter term things. As we conquer one, then maybe the next will come and so on."
If they do, Martin would be the oldest Cup champion in history, supplanting Bobby Allison, who was 46 when he won it in 1983. History is against him, but it's not impossible. Martin's motivation in joining Hendrick is to win races, a goal that if fulfilled would build momentum and make him a Cup contender. He certainly has the right attitude going into an extremely challenging season.
Martin Caps Strong Weekend with Top-10 Finish in Wild Race at Daytona
Coke Zero 400
DEIDaytona Beach, FL - Fla. (July 5, 2008) -- Mark Martin capped off a strong weekend at Daytona International Speedway with a 10th-place finish in Saturday night's Coke Zero 400. The U.S. Army driver started on the outside of the front row after posting his best qualifying lap at Daytona since 1990. Martin's No. 8 Army Chevrolet was fast during the race, running the majority of the 400-mile event inside the top five.
A barrage of cautions littered the final 20 laps of the race, hurting Martin's chances for a top-five finish. But the Dale Earnhardt Inc. veteran was able to avoid several accidents and post a solid top-10 finish.
"That was a really strong effort by this No. 8 U.S. Army Racing Team," said Martin. "These guys gave me a great car tonight and I'm really sorry that I wasn't able to give them a better finish than this. We just got hung out there that one time and then there were so many accidents that we were never able to get back to the front where the car was more than capable of running.
"There at the end, it was just caution after caution and we were pretty lucky to be able to avoid all of them. I would have liked to have given this team, the soldiers and everyone at DEI a little better result. This was easily a top-five car tonight."
Martin fell back to 15th early in the race after getting trapped leaving his pit box. However, one of the best restrictor-plate drivers in NASCAR history, Martin patiently worked his way though the draft, powering his No. 8 Chevy all the way back to second position by Lap 55 of 160.
He had his No. 8 Impala SS running as high as fifth with only four laps remaining, but lost ground just before the 10th caution on Lap 156.
With the majority of the cars on older tires and with the race having seen six cautions in the final 30 laps, Martin was able to patiently avoid several multi car accidents and move to what was his 17th career top-10 finish at Daytona International Speedway.
Martin and the No. 8 U.S. Army/Dale Earnhardt Inc. team will return to action Saturday night (July 12) at Chicagoland Speedway. Martin has never won at Chicagoland, but boasts three top-10 finishes in seven career starts.
Mark Martin Post Race Notes & Quotes - Coke Zero 400
GM RacingMARK MARTIN, NO. 8 U.S. ARMY CHEVROLET IMPALA SS
"That was a really strong effort by this No. 8 U.S. Army Racing Team. These guys gave me a great car tonight and I'm really sorry that I wasn't able to give them a better finish than this. We just got hung out there that one time and then there were so many accidents that we were never able to get back to the front where the car was more than capable of running.
"There at the end, it was just caution after caution and we were pretty lucky to be able to avoid all of the wrecks. I would have liked to have given this team, our soldiers and everyone at DEI a little better result. This was easily a top-five car tonight."
Mark Martin & Dale Earnhardt Jr. Post Qualifying Notes & Quotes
Coke Zero 400
GM RacingMARK MARTIN, NO. 8 U.S. ARMY IMPALA SS -- QUALIFIED 2ND
DALE EARNHARDT JR, NO. 88 NATIONAL GUARD / AMP ENERGY IMPALA SS -- QUALIFIED 3RD
YOU'VE GOT TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOUR CHANCES TOMORROW NIGHT.
MARTIN: "You know, a lot of times you don't put a whole lot of importance on qualifying, but what this means and what this says here to me today, is that we have really great engines and kudos to the Earnhardt Childress Engine program for the gains that they've made since February here. We had a very good qualifying, I thought, being something like 18th for the 500 and obviously this is a whole lot better. So it is mostly done in the engine shop so I really want to give those guys credit. It's just awesome to be driving this No. 8 car. My point was that in practice, it reminded me of watching this guy (Dale Earnhardt Jr.) in this car. I caught cars, passed them on the outside, which is not my MO by any means, and without help and was able to pull away from a bunch of them. So at the end of practice it was pretty spectacular and I hope that the car races like it practiced toward the end of practice. If it does, we're going to have some big fun tomorrow night."
ON HIS LAP
EARNHARDT JR.: "First of all I'd like to congratulate Paul (Menard) for his run and Mark (Martin). They do a great job at (super) speedway, getting the good cars out there. I don't know if the car is good. It was practicing good yesterday. I was really happy with my engine, and just overall craftsmanship on the race car itself and preparation was good. So I'm looking forward to tomorrow."
GOODYEAR BRINGS A LITTLE HARDER TIRE ON THE RIGHT, AND THEN YOU SEE A TIRE FAILURE IN PRACTICE. COMMENTS.
MARTIN: "I'm concerned a little bit, not for me exactly. My car is loose and if I have a tire problem it'll probably be a right rear. At least I'll go in backwards instead of head-on (laughs). I really feel like we certainly won't be the first to have trouble. But yeah, I'm concerned. I don't know if the Nationwide cars are the same tire."
EARNHARDT JR: "It's the tire we ran last time on the Nationwide car. It's still slick."
MARTIN: "Yeah, it's just a little bit concerning. We'll have to keep our eye out and see if that was an isolated problem with the No. 2 car yesterday, or if there is going to be some slight durability issues or not. We didn't see any trouble, but we only went 25 laps in practice."
JEFF GORDON SAID YESTERDAY THAT HE THOUGHT THE NEW GENERATION RACE CAR IS BEST SUITED TO THIS TRACK AND COMPARED TO OTHER PLACES WHERE YOU CAN'T PASS UP FRONT, THE CAR SEEMS TO WORK WELL HERE. HOW DO YOU THINK IT WILL RACE?
EARNHARDT JR.: "I think we've seen how it races on the plate tracks. I mean really, I think Jeff's got a really, really good driving car. I think if he drove 75 percent of the rest of the cars in the field, he might not have that kind of opinion (laughter). But I've seen some cars out there and I've had some cars at the plate tracks that were a handful. So it'll be a fun race. It always is. I love racing here. It's a great race track. It's starting to wear out a little bit and starting to be a little more harder to handle, but it kind of makes it fun, you know. So, we'll just have to hope. The only thing is, is the cars are slicker and so you're finding yourself in more precarious situations down in the corner around people than you used to. And you just have to be aware of that."
IS IT STILL GOOD TO SEE, AND DOES IT FEEL GOOD TO HAVE DEI DOING THIS WELL HERE?
EARNHARDT JR.: "Yeah, I knew Mark would get in the car and run well. I thought Martin (Truex,Jr) would have had a better year up to this point. But they just seem to not be able to shake the bad luck. And Paul (Menard) has really turned it up. He's run so much better this year if you really look at the overall statistics and his average in qualifying and finishing order and how he runs over the distance of the race. He's doing a lot better. And Regan (Smith) is showing why he got hired to do the job he's doing. So, it's tough to field four teams for any organization; and even tougher I think, for DEI and the situation they are in, or we're all in really, with the economy. And so their stretching the buck and man they're doing a great job really, financially, budgeting themselves to be able to compete like they are. I'm not really surprised, but it is nice to see."
WHEN YOU SEE THE NO. 1 CAR GO THROUGH WHAT IT DID YESTERDAY, KNOWING THAT YOUR CAR WAS BUILT IN THE SAME SHOP, DOES THAT CONCERN YOU? WAS IT SOMETHING THAT MIGHT AFFECT ALL THE CARS OR WAS IT AN ISOLATED THING?
MARTIN: "Our car has not been touched since it rolled on the trailer after the Bud Shootout. So it had been through all the processes and everything. Aric (Almirola) did not race it at Talladega. So it's been in the shop and it was in the top of the trailer at Talladega, so no, there was no concern from that standpoint. It was not a new car or a re-build. Fortunately it didn't get tore up when we last raced it. So, I don't know the ins and outs. I do know that was a new car for the No. 1 team; but for us, I wasn't concerned."
Mark Martin Post Qualifying Notes & Quotes
Coke Zero 400
GM RacingMARK MARTIN, NO. 8 U.S. ARMY IMPALA SS -- Qualified 2nd
ON HIS LAP: "Well I know it was good for racing, but I didn't know it was going to qualify this well. We qualified pretty decent in February but nothing like that. So you know, its just a tribute to the Earnhardt-Childress engine program and all the guys at DEI because they build really incredible restrictor plate cars over the years and I had a feeling that the eight car has got the look of years of the past when we watched Dale Jr. go out there and do what he wanted to do. It sure would be fun to do that tomorrow night."
THE OTHER THING ABOUT QUALIFYING UP FRONT IS THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO GET A GOOD PIT SELECTION AND EVERYBODY TELLS ME THAT'S FAIRLY IMPORTANT HERE IN DAYTONA. IS IT?
"Yeah, I mean yeah. I don't know; I'm not sure if Tony and I will know what to do with that good of a pit selection. I'm not used to that."
NASCAR driver Mark Martin, right, smiles as he answers a question with Rick Hendrick during a news conference Friday,July 4, 2008 at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Martin announced he will be driving a full schedule next season for Rick Hendrick Motorsports. - (AP Photo/Terry Renna)Martin leaves no doubt - NASCAR - Yahoo! Sports
By Jerry Bonkowski
July 4, 2008DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Mark Martin made it very clear at the end of the 2006 season that he'd never again race full-time in the Cup series.
But he couched that statement by adding the only way he'd ever change his mind was if a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity came his way.
Friday, as the nation celebrated Independence Day, Martin had his own celebration. The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity he swore would never happen, did.
Martin will return to full-time racing in 2009, driving the No. 5 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, giving him one last chance at earning the one thing that has eluded him throughout his illustrious career: the Sprint Cup championship.
"That's what intrigued Mark and motivated me," team owner Rick Hendrick said. "It's a legitimate shot at the championship. He's finished second four times, and I'd love to see him have an opportunity to win one."
It's a one-shot deal; Martin returns to a part-time schedule of 24 to 26 races in 2010, sharing the No. 5 with an as-yet unnamed co-driver, much like the way he's split driving duties this season with Aric Almirola in the No. 8 DEI Chevy.
So, less than two years after segueing into semi-retirement, Martin will return to the full-time Cup racing grind.
But just like the way he went out, he's coming back in the same way: on his own terms.
Anything less wouldn't be worth it. Any other team wouldn't have had a chance.
"The notion was floated to me by a number of other teams and the answer was, 'No, no luck, I wouldn't even consider it,' " Martin said. "This is the one."
You have to admire the guy, not only to be able to have that ability and freedom, but also to join, arguably, the most talent-laden team in Cup racing today.
But as much as Martin said he was okay with retiring never having won a championship, the truth is he simply couldn't turn down one last shot at it – and perhaps the best shot he'll ever have.
"I want to win another race before I can't, before that opportunity isn't there anymore," Martin said. "The motivation to really come do this deal was largely based on I want to drive something I can win in, and I think these guys provide that opportunity for me."
When Rick Hendrick wants something, you don't say no to him. And Martin didn't – although it took his wife Arlene's blessing to seal the deal.
"Her words were, 'If you're going to drive, this is the deal to do,' " Martin said.
How Martin came to join HMS is eerily similar to how Dale Earnhardt Jr. found his way to the same organization.
Earnhardt had a career-changing revelation when he filled in for Kyle Busch in the final laps of the spring Cup race at Texas in 2007. He couldn't get over how well a HMS car was put together, let alone drove. It was that magical moment that convinced him that the Hendrick camp was where he wanted his future to be.
It's the same way with Martin.
Last June, when Martin visited the HMS shop to be fitted for a seat in case Jeff Gordon needed a relief driver when his wife was due to have the couple's first child, he was just as awestruck as Earnhardt was at the quality of the Hendrick machine.
"That opened my eyes," Martin said. "I really saw and got a taste of Hendrick Motorsports from the inside. It's just an opportunity that I absolutely could not let pass by."
His soon-to-be teammates are welcoming Martin with open arms. Jimmie Johnson and Earnhardt Jr. both attended Friday's press conference. Gordon was unable to attend because of a previous appearance commitment for a charitable organization.
"(Martin joining up is) what Jeff, Jimmie and Dale wants," Hendrick said. "From the drivers' and crew chiefs' standpoint, when you mention his name it's immediate respect and admiration. So, it's not going to be whether he fits or not. This is going to be a great opportunity for us."
Johnson, who will be contending for the same championship that Martin will be seeking, doesn't have a problem with that. As long as it's an HMS driver that ultimately wins, even if it's Martin, the new kid on the block, that's all that matters.
"I think Mark's going to do a lot for that No. 5 team," Johnson said. "With his knowledge, age, enthusiasm and all he does in that race car, I'm very proud to have him with Hendrick Motorsports. There's a lot we can learn from Mark. I'm looking forward to the relationship and getting things started there. He's an inspiration to a lot of us."
At a time when most drivers are ready for retirement, Martin will be 50 when he starts the new season with his new team. He'll be the first to admit he's not quite the racer that he used to be, but he still feels he has enough left within to still get the job done.
"I think it has dropped off a little bit, just not as much as most," Martin acknowledged. "I believe I was a little bit more potent 10 years ago.
"But it has to do with the fire and desire. I may change my mind from time to time, but one thing's for sure, whatever I decide to do, that's what I'm going to do. I still think I have a lot of fire and desire."
Even with all the ceremony that surrounded Martin's fan-dedicated "Salute to You" goodbye tour in 2006, and how he swore he'd never come back to full-time competition, I don't think anyone can fault him for doing just that.
He didn't lie or deceive or wait for the right deal; he simply changed his mind, which he has the right to. He's coming back the same way he scaled back: he's doing it his way.
He didn't have to. He wanted to.
"I told Arlene, I'm pretty sure that the last breath I took on my death bed would be, 'I should have drove Rick's car when I had the chance,' " Martin said. "I didn't want to do that or regret that till the last breath I took."
MARK MARTIN TO JOIN HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS
35-TIME RACE WINNER WILL DRIVE FULL 2009 SEASON IN NO. 5 CHEVROLETSDAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 4, 2008) - “Since this has been such a well-kept secret” laughed Rick Hendrick, as he announced officially that Mark Martin, a 35-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race winner and the all-time leader in NASCAR Nationwide Series victories, has signed a two-year agreement to drive for Hendrick Motorsports beginning in 2009.
“They must’ve been reading our text messages” added Martin, grinning.
Martin will race the full 2009 Sprint Cup schedule in the No. 5 Kellogg’s/CARQUEST Chevrolets, becoming teammates with Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. It will mark his first full season of Cup competition since 2006, when he finished ninth in points.
A Batesville, Ark., native, Martin also is slated to run a partial Sprint Cup schedule for Hendrick Motorsports in 2010, sharing the No. 5 Chevys with a to-be-determined second driver. Martin will enter 26 events, including the non-points Budweiser Shootout and NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.
“Mark is an incredible racer and one of the classiest guys around,” said Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick, whose organization will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2009. “He is a driver who makes everyone around him better, and our entire company is going to benefit from his presence.”
In the 20 seasons Martin has completed the full Sprint Cup schedule, he has finished inside the top 12 in championship points on 17 occasions, including 12 appearances in the top five. In addition to his 35 wins, Martin has posted 41 pole positions, 241 top-five finishes and 390 top-10s at the Cup level.
“I feel very fortunate to have this chance to win races and go after a championship with Hendrick Motorsports,” Martin said. “Coming back full time wasn’t something we planned, but driving the No. 5 car, with all its history, was an impossible opportunity to pass up.
“Rick and I have enjoyed a great relationship over the years, and we’ve always talked about doing this. Now it’s working out, and we’re both excited about the possibilities.”
Martin, 49, will be paired with crew chief Alan Gustafson, who now is in his fourth season at the helm of the No. 5 Kellogg’s/CARQUEST Chevrolet team. Gustafson has posted four Sprint Cup wins as a crew chief and has a history with Martin, having worked with him in multiple Nationwide Series events.
U.S. Army Quote Regarding Mark Martin’s Announcement:
The following is a quote from the U.S. Army regarding today’s announcement about Mark Martin joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2009 as the driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet:
“Mark Martin is an incredible competitor who shows the same strengths and inspirational qualities as the soldiers he so powerfully represents,” said Col. David Lee, U.S. Army Accessions Command Director of Strategic Outreach. “We look forward to having Mark as part of our team for the remainder of the 2008 season and wish him success in his on-and-off-track endeavors moving into the future.”
THE MARK MARTIN FILE:
Birth Date: Jan. 9, 1959
Hometown: Batesville, Ark.
Sprint Cup Seasons: 26 (full- and part-time)
Sprint Cup Wins: 35
Sprint Cup Poles: 41
First Sprint Cup Start: North Wilkesboro, N.C. (April 5, 1981)
First Sprint Cup Win: Rockingham, N.C. (Oct. 22, 1989)
Most Recent Sprint Cup Win: Kansas City, Kan. (Oct. 9, 2005)
Best Sprint Cup Points Finish: Second (four times)
Nationwide Series Wins: 48 (all-time leader)ABOUT HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS:
Since 1984, Hendrick Motorsports has earned 11 championships in NASCAR’s top three divisions, including seven titles and 169 victories in the sanctioning body’s premier series, the Sprint Cup. Headquartered in Concord, N.C., the organization currently fields four full-time Chevrolet teams on the Cup Series circuit and employs more than 550 people.
Mark Martin & Rick Hendrick Press Conference - Daytona
Coke Zero 400
HMS/GM RacingNASCAR SPRING CUP SERIES
DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
MARK MARTIN JOINS HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS PRESS CONFERENCE
JULY 4, 2008MARK MARTIN JOINS HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS (HMS) TO DRIVE FULL 2009 SEASON IN NO. 5 KELLOGG'S / CARQUEST CHEVROLET IMPALA SS. PRESS CONFERENCE FEATURING MARTIN AND RICK HENDRICK, OWNER:
MODERATOR: We'd like to welcome to the stage the principals of today's press conference, the owner of Hendrick Motorsports, Mr. Rick Hendrick, a seven time Sprint Cup Series championship owner, who has won 169 Sprint Cup Series races, 10 of those right here at Daytona International Speedway; and his teams will be participating in their 50th Daytona race tomorrow evening. Also welcome to the stage 35-time Sprint Cup race winner, the all-time leader in the NASCAR Nationwide Series with 48 victories, and a gentlemen who has finished in the top 12 in Sprint Cup points an incredible 17 times, Mr. Mark Martin.
RICK HENDRICK: "Well since this has been a well kept secret (laughter) we appreciate the opportunity to see you folks. This is a real special day for me. It's been 15 years that I've tried to do this; that we've tried to do this. It's a pleasure to be able to announce Mark Martin coming on board to run for the championship next year in the No. 5 car. That car means a lot to me because that was my first number. And when Harry Hyde and I got started, Mark and I reminisce a lot about meeting Mark early on and then watching him and then watching him flog us in the Busch (now Nationwide) Series and then racing against him in the Cup Series and seeing him come so close to championships, I think four times he finished second, and just to have him come on board with our organization and our drivers and our crew chiefs and everybody is really exciting. Everybody is excited. We're honored to have a guy of his caliber and again, we've talked from time to time, but now to be able to go out in the '09 season and go for the championship (is special). I want to thank (Martin's wife) Arlene. I think she is here. Where is she? Thank you for letting him run all the races. We appreciate that. But this is a very special day for me."
MODERATOR: And Mark, you put a lot of thoughtful prayer into this. Talk to this about this opportunity and why this opportunity.
MARK MARTIN: "Well first of all, I don't know why it was such a bad kept secret unless people are snooping on our text messages because I'd say 50 percent of this deal was done by text between Rick and I. I think that's pretty cool because I just learned how to text myself."
RICK HENDRICK: "I did too (laughter). Junior and Jimmie Johnson, they're both here, now they are the ones that taught me how to text. I had to learn how to do that Mark, because they won't return your phone call (laughter)."
MARK MARTIN: "Yeah, so golly. When I think about being a part of the status organization in NASCAR and being a member of the team with Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. and working with Alan Gustafson and all the folks there and the relationship that I've had and the opportunity I had to go there a year ago and pour an insert for the seat of the No. 24 car, was really the first time that opened my eyes. We did that in case Jeff needed me to fill in at Sears Point (now Infineon Raceway) last year when they were having their baby. I really saw and got a taste of Hendrick Motorsports from the inside. It's just an opportunity that I absolutely could not let pass by at this point in my life. I was very concerned about regretting that decision for the rest of my life. And so I got my arms wrapped around the scheduling situation and here we go. I'm incredibly excited and honored and I know that most people can't comprehend what an honor it is for me to be invited to be a part of this organization, especially at this stage of my career. After two years of catching my breath, I've enjoyed it, it has been very meaningful to my family and to myself. But I've also learned; and rekindled my passion for racing and what it means to me and also given me a taste of what it would be like to not have that in my life. And so all those things played in this decision."
MODERATOR: One of the things that has come out is the similar type of relationship that you and Mark have established. Can you elaborate on that?
RICK HENDRICK: "If you've been in a series and you've watched Mark Martin, you've had to be impressed with his performance in both the Cup and the Nationwide Series. And then when we had an opportunity, and we've talked from time to time, but the stars never lined up. We had opportunities and he couldn't do it and he was happy where he was and it just didn't work. But then when he drove the Nationwide car the first time, you know it actually started before that. He swapped cars with Jeff (Gordon) down in Atlanta in a tire test, I believe it was. And Jeff called me and said, 'Man, you won't believe how much talent Mark Martin's got. We see it, but he got in my car and it was unbelievable what he was doing.' And then when we got him in the Nationwide car the first time, and I don't think we had practice for some reason that day, and he went out and ran second at Darlington. I listened to him on the radio and he was kind of crew-chiefing the car from the drivers seat and just really thinking through what the car needed and how loose he set the car to start the race and what he was able to do. And then the way he treats the team and the way he built the organization around his efforts that day, I had more fun at that Nationwide race.
"It was kind of like some of the things that you do in life that you really would like to have an opportunity to race with someone of that caliber that you've always had a relationship but never had him in your camp. This opportunity has come up. But we've actually talked about it quite a bit. Again, I think Junior and Jimmie and Jeff from the drivers' standpoint and all the crew chiefs, when you mention his name it's immediate respect and admiration.
"So it's not going to be whether he fits or not because he's already been there. And with the respect that he has throughout our whole organization and this garage and the fans and the sponsors, it's just a great opportunity for us."
MODERATOR: Talk about the team dynamics and what you expect Mark to bring to the organization with already having three drivers of the caliber that you have.
RICK HENDRICK: "Well I think the way we share information and work together, a guy of Mark's caliber and again, it's the word 'respect'. They race against him and one thing I've learned in listening to Jimmie and Jeff and Dale, is they will tell you in a hurry how they feel about certain drivers and what they can and can't do. And so when you mention his name, the fact when he has an opportunity to work with these guys and have input into the cars and with the crew chiefs, they've all had a relationship. I know Chad (Knaus) does. I know Alan (Gustafson) really has worked with him so he and Alan have a relationship. So again, it's that immediate respect and I think he'll make us all better. And I think that's one of the things they are excited about and we're excited about. You can never have too many resources. To have a guy as smart as he is running a race and race preparation and I think you see it with the different crew chiefs he's had, he's always up front. It doesn't make any difference. He has that ability to know what he wants and what the car needs. When you can implement that into what we have, it should make us all better. That's why we're all excited and they guys can speak for themselves. In evidence they are here today. Jeff had a charity deal and couldn't be here. But Junior and Jimmie are here."
MODERATOR: On relationships and team dynamics, you've had an opportunity to work with Alan Gustafson. Talk about your relationship with him and what you've seen in working with him that adds to your level of excitement.
MARK MARTIN: "I've watched him for the last several years working with Kyle (Busch) especially and I've been a fan of his and watched him be incredibly successful and I've watched him suffer through terrible disappointment. There have been times when I've identified with him trough some of his disappointments and I've been a silent cheerleader of his, especially since the opportunity I got to work with him starting last year where I have given him encouragement and been a friend to him. We had the opportunity to work at Darlington together and at Michigan together and talked a lot in and around those races and leading up to those races. And Alan is young. He's an engineer. He is very, very, very bright. And everyone, including myself, at Hendrick Motorsports thinks the world of him. For me, I've really, really looked forward to having a chance to work with him and the team. Based on the tremendous preparation and job that they did and the dedication that they had through their Busch, now Nationwide Series efforts last year and being able to be a part of that, I can only imagine what the Sprint Cup level of commitment will be like."
MODERATOR: Rick, you talked about Mark running full time in 2009 and then running 24 -- 26 race in 2010. Have you talked about what those goals are for 2009, or is it obvious what the goal is?
RICK HENDRICK: "I think it's obvious. I think that's what's intrigued Mark and definitely motivated me. After racing with him and watching him, it's a legitimate at the championship. He's finished second four times and I'd love to see him have an opportunity to win one. And So that's what Junior wants to do, Jimmie wants to do, and Jeff wants to do. And if you've got four legitimate shots at it, hopefully one of them can get it. Again, he's got nothing to prove in this sport. He's done that. And just being able to work with him in the last couple of years, or year I guess it's been with the Nationwide car, he will make our company better. And he will add as Tony Eury Jr. and Dale Earnhardt Jr. has, and Jimmie Johnson when he came on board. I know what Alan (Gustafson) is capable of and our crew chiefs and we're just excited. Junior and I got to celebrate with him in Vegas in victory lane and so it's the championship. It's winning races and a championship, but having fun too, and enjoying being around a person that you like and respect. And so I think the chemistry is there. We don't have to worry about any of that. We're just going to go out and try to make our organization better, win a lot of races, and get another Cup."
MARK MARTIN: "I look at things a little shorter term than a lot of you might. One of the 'coming out of the gate' objectives is to help Alan and his race team get the confidence that they need to realize their potential and get them in a position to go out and contend for wins. For me personally, I'd like to start with one win because you can't get two until you get one. And so, I look at it that short term. I want to get on track with the team and the program. I want to integrate with the people and be able to hopefully, somehow or other, figure out a way that I can contribute, which may not be very easy to find when you have the kind of people that they have here. Obviously as we move forward, of course, our goal is to make the Chase and compete for a championship. But like I say, I look at the shorter-term things. As we conquer one, then maybe the next will come and maybe the next will come and so on. We have a number of steps to take there. For me, I know that one of the important things that Rick has used over and over again when we were talking about his, and he mentioned that, is having fun. I'm not an expert at that (laughter). I look forward to trying to expand that a little bit. It is going to be fun. I am excited. I couldn't sleep last night if that tells you how excited I am. I look forward to it. I can't wait.
"I do have something I want to say. And I may ramble a little bit. There are a number of VIP's in this program and Rick touched on that. In 1983, I got fired by JD Stacy in the Cup Series. And I met (his wife) Arlene at Christmas in 1983. And then in 1984, in February, I brought her to Daytona. Not only did I not have a ride, but I didn't have a garage pass either. And I stood outside that fence out there looking in.
"Arlene says it scarred me. That, forever had an impact on who I am. And when you reflect on that, that has a lot to do with the decisions I make. She is the champion of this deal. Not only does she support my decision to do this, but I don't think I would be the person I am today without her shaping the person that I have become. She's a real champion of this deal. Obviously Jay Frye, who really started our business relationship between Rick and I a year and a half ago, and Jack Roush, for the 19 years that we stood side-by-side building our careers in NASCAR. They are very important people in making this happen. I wanted to acknowledge those folks. None of this would happen today if it weren't for them, especially for Arlene."
MODERATOR: Let's take questions from the media.
QUESTION
MOST SPRINT CAR CUP DRIVERS, EVEN VERY GOOD ONES, SEE THEIR CAREERS DROP OFF IN THEIR MID 40'S IN CONTENDING FOR CHAMPIONSHIPS. WHY HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO COMPETE AT A HIGH LEVEL WITHOUT DROPPING OFF WHEN OTHERS HAVE?
MARK MARTIN: "Well I think it has dropped off a little bit, just not as much as most. I do believe that I was a little bit more potent 10 years ago. But thank you for the compliment. I really believe that it has to do with the fire and desire. I may change my mind from time to time, but one thing is for sure. Whatever I decide to do, that's what I'm going to do. I think that has a lot to do with it, the fire and desire. But I also would like to say another thing when I mentioned about VIP's. One other thing that we should acknowledge is Tony Gibson and the DEI team also gave me the confidence to do something like this by giving me such great race cars this year and making it fun. I've had more fun this year racing than I can remember, in racing with those guys. And I've had a taste of just almost being able to win a race at Phoenix, and I want to win a race. I want to win another race before I can't anymore and before that opportunity isn't there anymore. The motivation to come due this deal was largely based on that I want to drive something I can win in. And I think these guys can provide that for me."
QUESTION
WITH THE SPECULATION ABOUT TONY STEWART AND A POSSIBLE CONTRACT BUY-OUT, IS IT FAIR TO SAY YOU OPTED TO DO THIS DEAL WITH MARK MARTIN RATHER THAN PURSUE TONY? AND DID HE HAVE ANY CONVERSATIONS WITH YOU?
RICK HENDRICK: "Um, you know, Tony and I are good friends and I respect Tony Stewart a ton. And he sure perked you guys up with other day when he said something about the No. 5 car, didn't he? But that guy's got tremendous talent. But Joe Gibbs and I are good friends and I don't know what's going to happen. You're just going to have to stay tuned to see what happens over there. Our deal is Mark Martin and I can't answer other than I have tremendous respect for Tony. I'll say what Tony said about me. Anybody that's in this garage area would love to have Tony Stewart sitting in the seat of their car."
QUESTION
FROM A MENTAL PREPARATION ASPECT, PLUS ADJUSTING TO A 38-WEEK SCHEDULE, ARE THERE ANY TRACKS THAT ARE SPECIAL CHALLENGES?
"Infineon would be the only one that comes to mind. The Glen is like a superspeedway road course and wouldn't really bother me, but I think we'll be fine with that. I think this is going to be a blast. That's the reason I couldn't sleep last night because I was thinking so much about what it's going to be like to have an opportunity to work with an organization like this. I really look forward to the challenges."
QUESTION
ON THE PRESSURE FOR ONE TEAM OWNER TO MAKE PROMISES TO ALL FOUR DRIVERS TO HELP GET THEM EACH A CHAMPIONSHIP
RICK HENDRICK: "It's more pressure on them than it is on me. I give them the same stuff and it's up to them. I like putting two dogs together and rubbing their noses and letting them fight. I mean if you give them the same stuff, and you know each one of them has told me they can beat the other guy. And privately, I agree with them (laughter). So I think a lot of things happen on the race track that you can't control. And if you go out there with the best stuff, you know we've got three cars in the Chase (top 12) right now, and we haven't had the kind of year we've had before, but we're gaining on it and we're working hard. And I think I've said this before. Mark will compliment what we've got and he will make it better. And I talked about this with each one of these drivers at length. And it's a fit factor that you want in your organization if you want to add something or do something, you want it to be a positive and not a minus and not pull it down. You could make some decisions that won't help you; that hurt you. We all agree and each crew chief and each driver agreed that Mark Martin will make us better. And he will help us. After racing with him I believe that. I'm like a 58 year-old guy in a 65 year-old body; he's like a 49 year-old guy in a 35 year-old body. So he's a fitness fanatic and I hope I can learn a little bit from him on that end of it too.
"But we've been racing and we've been fortunate to win a lot of championship; and we've lost a lot of championships. We've gotten better as we have better people. I think having a team that's capable of winning a championship makes the other three better. It makes them step up. It makes them more competitive. And that's what I admire about Jimmie, Junior, and Jeff. They don't hesitate in getting the best talent you can get because they feel like it'll make them better and they feel like they can beat the guy, whoever it is. And that's the way real race drivers need to be. I think, I hope I've answered your question. To the naysayers, then why don't you have three teams? Why do you have four teams if you don't think they are capable of getting it done? And that's what it's all about when you have sponsors that expect you to be able to get it done."
QUESTION
WOULD YOU HAVE COME BACK FULL TIME IF THIS SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITY HADN'T COME UP? HAD ANYONE BROKEN THE NEWS TO YOU THAT TALLADEGA IS STILL ON THE SCHEDULE?
"I remember. I remember (laughter). I'm not sure how Rick would answer this. In my mind, at least told Rick, 'No', twice to this already. And the notion, I didn't have formal proposals, but the notion was floated to me by a number of other teams and the answer was 'No,' like I don't even consider it. So to answer your question, this is the one. And I didn't initially jump on top of this, but I love my schedule. That 26 races has been beautiful for me. It's been perfect. But I did get a taste in that No. 8 car this year. I had it out there on my fingertips and even Arlene said when we looked at the thing and when it finally came down to having to make that decision to do a full schedule versus a limited schedule, if and these are her words, "If you're going to drive, that's the deal to do.' I did not see this coming and wasn't interested in talking about it really, with any other teams. I don't know for sure if you guys (the media) comprehend when this really means to me, the opportunity to work with these guys at this stage of a guy's career. To be welcomed on board by Jeff Gordon, who by the way, is Rick's best salesman. And I know how Rick made it so well in the car business. He's a good used car salesman. I have a partner that's a good used car salesman too, in Lance Landers. I got a kick of how this process went because I didn't really think that it was going to be a full schedule for a while. But this is a big deal to me. It's not something you could recreate. I told Arlene when we talked about this, I'm pretty sure that the last breath I took on my death bed would be, "I should have drove Rick's car when I had the chance' (laughter). I didn't want to do that or regret that until the last breath I took."
QUESTION
ON THE MENTAL AND PHYSICAL CHALLENGES COME THE DOG DAYS OF NEXT SUMMER
MARK MARTIN: "I'm going to have to dig deep. Rick's going to have to figure out a way to deliver that 'fun' promise. I think when you're happy, it makes a huge difference."
RICK HENDRICK: "The fun is over after today, Mark." (laughter)
MARK MARTIN: "I think it really makes a difference. I think that it will be fine as long as I'm having fun and as long as I'm happy. But I will say as much fun as I'm having this year in the No. 8 car, I was sure ready after seven weeks in a row and three tests to watch Sears Point (now Infineon) from the couch. So then Infineon came and then Loudon came and then Chicago. So that stretch down through there is tough on everybody. But they'll be plenty of couch time later. I'll just dig deep. I'm in the best physical condition I've ever been in, in my life. I feel five years younger than I did when I stepped out in 2006 after being so tired and frustrated and everything. In the two years that I've spent on this limited schedule were important. There was no way I would have accepted this deal in 2007. No way. So that's been good. These last two years have given me a chance to catch my breath and spend quality time with my family and sort of reflect on what's important and what I want to do."
QUESTION
RICK YOU HAD TOUCHED ON BEFORE THAT BEFORE YOU HAD HIRED DALE EARNHARDT, JR. THAT YOU HAD TALKED TO HIS FATHER ABOUT BRINGING HIM ON. CAN YOU GUYS GIVE US A LITTLE BIT OF THE BACK STORIES OF WHEN YOU HAD APPROACHED MARK IN THE PAST SO THAT WE CAN SEE A PATTERN OR A TREND?
RICK HENDRICK: "He called me when he wanted to get a raise over at Roush's. I think it was one July day and they said Mark Martin is on the phone. He said, 'I sure would like to drive your car, are you interested?', and I said 'sure' and that is the last time I heard from him."
"And then, I used to kid him when we were, I keep saying Busch racing. I looked to see if he showed up and I knew we were in trouble. And really the day he was selling his Cup equipment in 1983 and Harry Hyde and I went over there and we came close to talking about a deal, but we had already done a deal and then I lost track of him and we've always had this kind of relationship where we would talk. But I think when Jay Frye did call me and Mark had mentioned this that he was going to work at Ginn (Racing) and wanted to drive the Busch car and I could not say yes quick enough. Benny over there, I was like a kid because again, you watch guys and its no different than Jimmy or Jeff or Dale. You are around them and you watch them and you get to know them. When he got in the Busch car for the first time he amazed me at what he could do and how he could read the car. I had been scanning him and then I scanned him some more after that. But then I walked by him and he and Arlene were standing by the car and I just kind of casually walked by him and said, 'you know I sure wish you would consider running a whole schedule, I would put you in a car'. Then I knew the bait was there and Benny called me two days later and said 'you drove him crazy' so we kidded about it and we talked about it but you know again there are just some guys that you respect a lot and you can walk up to and you talk to them. And the best barometer that I have are our drivers that race around guys and give you feedback and they know who's got the talent and they know who they would like to work with and who they feel comfortable with. And when all the pieces fit and the only piece that didn't fit was him agreeing to run all the races and then when that worked out we couldn't do it quick enough."
QUESTION
CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION YOU ARE LEAVING AND DEI THE STATUS YOU THINK THEY ARE IN RIGHT NOW AND MOVING TOWARD THE FUTURE AND WHAT MAKES GUYS LIKE YOU AND BRETT FAVRE TALK ABOUT COMING BACK FROM RETIREMENT AND WANT TO KEEP GOING AT THIS AGE?
MARK MARTIN: "I'm thinking about first of all, I don't know very much about football. Okay. And I saw something the other day likening me to him but all I know is that Matt Kenseth thinks that he's the greatest thing since sliced bread. And I know nothing about football. Evidently he's awfully good at what he does. I don't know for sure, but I think he's awfully good because people would still like to see him come back again.
"I don't know how to explain to you and I have no apologies for not knowing what my whole life holds for me. When you're pretty good at something and its been the focus of your life and the driving force of your life for thirty-five years and you're still pretty good at it you know, you probably don't want to quit. Till then, for me, until you are not still pretty good at it. I don't have anything else really, beyond my love of family, I really don't have anything else with that kind of passion that I have for racing and I thought at the end of 2006 that I thought I was fine with couch time the rest of my life. But that was because I was in a frustrated fog of emotion of being wore out. And the two years that I have had to reflect on that there is really special relationships that I have with the people in this room, with the fans, and especially people like Matt Kenseth and Jeff Burton. The respect that people like Jimmie (Johnson) and Dale Jr. have shown me, Jeff Gordon and many of the others. If I never come to another race, then that's all gone. And for right now I don't want to come to a race that I am not driving, so if I can drive something that will give me a chance to win and I can still do it, then I will probably still want to do it. And I have told you guys that if I didn't, if it was all or nothing that I would choose nothing. And I have said that. Well, I may have changed my mind again because if I was given a choice of nothing or all in the five car, I chose the five car. But one of the reasons why I appear to be indecisive is because you guys ask questions before I am ready to answer them. And I am such a nice guy, I am trying to answer your doggone questions. You know. And if you wouldn't ask them before I was ready to answer them then maybe I wouldn't tell you something that wasn't accurate.
RICK HENDRICK: "I like that, that's good. He is a car salesman."
QUESTION
THE FIRST PART OF THAT, WHAT ABOUT DEI AND THE ORGANIZATION?
MARK MARTIN: "I thought you were going to forget about that David. You know they have put me in race cars that have exceeded my expectations this year. They have a great group of incredibly loyal people there. You know, and that's really what I see there. I see a bunch of people that are incredibly loyal and that are digging in hard. Max Siegel, John Story's doing an awesome job there......incredible job there really. They have moved the organization into the Ginn building and have integrated the four race teams and they have come really, really far in the past twelve months. And I commend them for that."
QUESTION
YOU SAID IN 2006 WHEN YOU MADE THE DECISION, THERE WAS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING THAT WAS PULLING YOU AWAY FROM FULL TIME COMPETITION. RICK SAID IT BEST IN THAT YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO PROVE. BUT FROM A PERSONAL LEVEL IS THE WILLINGNESS AND DESIRE TO COME BACK AND WIN AND COMPETE AND RUN FOR A CHAMPIONSHIP, IS THAT AS MUCH OF A PULL AS THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH RICK? IS THAT THE STRONGEST PULL BACK?
MARK MARTIN: "The number one factor for me was to drive a car that I thought I could win in. The full schedule wasn't my first choice. Looking at everything out there, I made a commitment to Aric Almirola and to me a secondary commitment to J.D. Gibbs to really, so that he would release Aric to me sort of in my custody and to Eddie Jarvis, which represents Tony Stewart that I would take care of Aric.
But number one, Aric Almirola. I had so much fun this year driving the eight car that I really would have loved to have driven a twenty-six race schedule again next year, but that would not have been fair to Aric Almirola. Aric is ready to be a full time Cup driver and I felt like it was my responsibility and the right thing to do to get out of his way. And so that being said when I looked at the field, the climate, the options, or possible opportunities to drive a limited schedule out there and drive cars on a limited schedule that could win, I didn't see anything that was nearly as attractive as going and driving the five car. And if it took driving it full time to get it, I was, you know, that was what I was going to do. Remember that old thing that I said about making up your mind come hell or high water -- I made up my mind that I was going to drive that five car, whatever it took. And we are going to do it, and do it with a smile."
QUESTION
ANY FINAL THOUGHTS MR. HENDRICK?
RICK HENDRICK: "No, I think everything has been said. Again this is exciting times for us and I think it's going to help us be better."
Almirola to Pilot No. 8 Car Full Time in 2009
Rookie driver promoted to full-time Sprint Cup status next season
DEIMOORESVILLE, N.C. (July 1, 2008) -- After spending two seasons sharing a car with veteran Mark Martin, 24-year-old Aric Almirola will take over the No. 8 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chevrolet full time in 2009.
"This is an incredibly exciting opportunity," said Almirola. "When you get into racing, you always dream of competing at the highest level and I've had the chance to do that on a limited basis for the past two seasons. Now I will have the opportunity to race the car full time and I could not be more excited about driving the No. 8 car each week for Dale Earnhardt Inc.
"This is a really great race team to work with. (Crew Chief) Tony Gibson and these guys have put me in really good race cars this season and they've never treated me like a rookie. They are committed to being competitive every week and I'm really looking forward to working with them on a weekly basis next season."
Almirola, from Tampa, Fla., began sharing the Sprint Cup ride with Martin during the second half of the 2007 season and has continued in that role in 2008. During his 11 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts, the rookie driver has shown vast improvement, posting a top-10 finish in his debut this season at Bristol and qualifying third a week later at Martinsville.
"There is no doubt Aric is ready to go full time," said Martin, who helped bring Almirola to Dale Earnhardt Inc. after its merger last summer with Ginn Racing. "Aric is an incredible talent and a true student of the sport. Having him run a full-time program in the No. 8 was always part of the plan, but his development has allowed us to accelerate things. There is a lot of sponsorship excitement surrounding Aric and he is a sought-after guy. Driving that 8 car has been a tremendous honor for me given the respect I have for Dale Earnhardt and DEI, but it is also a great honor to be able to turn over the driving duties of that car to a young man that is destined for great things. Tony Gibson's team is one of the best teams in the sport, and Aric should have immediate success once he is in the car each week."
Martin, who has driven the No. 8 in 12 events this season, will compete in 12 more races this year before moving to another team for the 2009 campaign. Almirola will compete in the balance of the season's seven races. In addition to his time in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Almirola has made 27 starts in the Nationwide Series, earning four poles and one win at Milwaukee in 2007.
"With Aric running a full-time schedule in 2009 we will have a group of immensely talented drivers with long careers in front of them and we like our position for the future and know that Aric will get the job done," said John Story, vice president of motorsports operations for Dale Earnhardt, Inc. "We appreciate everything Mark continues to do for the company. Since we first discussed with Mark our plans for Aric he was 100 percent supportive and has done everything within his power to make it work and allow us to build a program around Aric. Mark has said many times he will help DEI in any manner necessary, and his commitment to the team and to Aric in this regard is beyond compare."
Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Will Make Aric Almirola and Sponsorship Announcements
By Jen Preston
Bleacher Report
July 1, 2008Sources close to the situation are reporting that Dale Earnhardt, Inc. will make an announcement regarding their driver and sponsorships for the 2009 season.
It's expected the team will announce that Aric Almirola will take over the No. 8 Chevy he currently shares with Mark Martin. Martin is expected to announce later this week that he will be leaving DEI to go to Hendrick Motorsports full-time next year.
An announcement is also expected regarding ARMY, the team's current sponsor. Rumors have held that ARMY would be leaving DEI to go to the second Bill Davis Racing team.
However, Almirola, a 24-year-old native of Tampa, Florida, represents the exact demographic that ARMY is currently trying to reach. Several other sponsors are also allegedly interested in the young driver.
Keep your ears open for an announcement.
Mark Martin Hopes For Best At ‘Home’ Track
DEI
June 30, 2008After taking off two races at Sonoma and New Hampshire, Martin returns behind the wheel of the No. 8 U.S. Army Chevrolet for the Coke Zero 400 at the famed Daytona International Speedway.
MARK MARTIN AT DAYTONA
Starts: 46 (22)
Wins: -
Top 5’s: 9 (4)
Top 10’s: 16 (7)
Poles: 1 (1)
Highest finish: 2nd (’07)
First time: 2-14-82 (31st)
Last Year: 7-1-07 (17th)
Last time: 2-17-08 (31st)WORTHY NOTE
Martin has never won in a Sprint Cup point race at Daytona, but he has won there in the Craftsman Truck and IROC series.
MARTIN AT DAYTONA
A resident of Daytona Beach, this will be Martin's 47th start at his "home" track of Daytona International Speedway. Martin has tallied nine top-five finishes and 16 top-10 finishes in 46 Sprint Cup races at Daytona.
MARK MARTIN FAST FACTS
Martin has two wins in the IROC series and a Budweiser Shootout victory at Daytona.
Martin has finished inside the top six in six of his last 13 races at Daytona.
Martin has finished inside the top-10 in 16 of his last 33 at Daytona and seven of his last 16 summer races.
Martin has nine top-five and 16 top 10 finishes in 46 starts at DIS.
Martin has finished in the top-10 in 56 percent of his 80 restrictor-plate races.
Martin’s 37 top-10 finishes in restrictor plate races are the most ever.
Martin has two wins, 19 top-fives and three poles in his 80 restrictor-plate starts.
LAST YEAR AT DAYTONA
July 7, 2007 - Daytona International Speedway
Started 9th, Finished 17thMartin battled back to finish 17th after picking up 13 positions in the closing laps of the Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway.
Martin restarted his No. 01 Principal Financial Chevrolet in 30th position after being forced to pit with a cut right-rear tire just moments before the race went green on Lap 147 of 160.
Martin was running in 16th position when the night's seventh caution was issued on Lap 143. The team opted to stay out, but moments before the field was set to resume green-flag racing Martin noticed that he had a tire going down.
The No. 01 car entered the pits just as the rest of the field went green. Martin was able to take on right-side tires and stay on the lead lap. The race's eighth caution just a few laps later allowed Martin to catch up with the field for the final restart and battle for track position.
Martin started the race ninth based on owner’s points after qualifying was rained out. The veteran fought a tight-handling racecar in heavy traffic for the majority of the race.
IN VICTORY LANE AT DAYTONA
Martin has never won a Sprint Cup Series points race at Daytona International Speedway, but he does boast a victory in the Budweiser Shootout, two IROC wins (2003 and 2005) and he won the Craftsman Truck Series race there in in 2006.
UNRESTRICTED - MARTIN ONE OF ALL-TIME BEST AT RESTRICTOR PLATE RACING
Despite not being a big fan of the restrictor-plate tracks, Martin has proven to be one of the best at the craft. In fact, Martin's 37 top-10 finishes in restrictor-plate races is the most ever. Over all he has 80 starts at restrictor-plate tracks (ties for second most ever), with 19 top-fives (fourth most), two wins and three poles. He has an average start of 15th at those races, with an average finish of 15.9.
FIRST HALF CLOSING IN
This race will mark the 13th of Martin's 26 starts for 2008 (counting the two all-star events). Through the first 12 point races of the season, Martin has tallied two top-five finishes, five top-10s, while completing 99.8 percent of his laps and leading 69 laps.
QUOTING MARK MARTIN ON DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
"I'm excited about getting back in the car at Daytona. I've had a couple of races off and its always good to go out and get your batteries charged back up. We had a good car at Daytona during Speedweeks and should have gotten a good finish if we had not of gotten caught up in a late accident. So, we'll go there this week and try to fine-tune what we learned in February."
"These DEI cars have always been strong on the restrictor plate tracks, and despite the fact that I’m not really a huge fan of this type of racing, I’m looking forward to seeing what (crew chief) Tony Gibson and the guys will put under me. They have been stellar all year and it continues to be awesome to work with these guys and drive their car. We are going to keep trying hard to put that No. 8 in Victory Lane this season, and I can’t think of a better time than the Fourth of July weekend at Daytona."
Don't fault Martin if he returns to Cup full time in No. 5 car - Sprint Cup Series
Jeff Owens
Scene Daily.com
June 30, 2008COMMENTARY:
As Mark Martin ponders what appears to be a move from Dale Earnhardt Inc. to Hendrick Motorsports, perhaps reviving his full-time driving career, there is already widespread angst over the pending move.
The deal is this: Martin (though he has neither confirmed nor denied any of this) is reportedly considering leaving DEI, where he runs a part-time Cup schedule, to replace Casey Mears at Hendrick.
Though we don’t know for sure yet, there have been reports that Martin is considering scrapping his semi-retirement and jumping full time back into the race for the Sprint Cup championship.
That, of course, would be contrary to everything Martin said he wanted to do when he announced his retirement in 2006 and began running a partial schedule.
And that is what has some die-hard fans and NASCAR purists all riled up. How dare he change his mind and return full time? How dare he go back on his word?
I thought he was enjoying having some time off to spend time with his family. He’s just like all the rest, scrapping his retirement plans and jumping at the first chance to make some more money.
Those are the common refrains from fans that seem to have a problem with Martin coming out of semi-retirement and returning full time.
That’s absurd.
A man has a right to change his mind, especially one of the most respected competitors this sport has ever seen. To criticize Martin for wanting to come back and race full time is blasphemy against a NASCAR star that has few blemishes on his career record and few on his character.
If Martin, one of the most honest, genuine drivers the sport has ever seen, says he has had a change of heart, so be it. Let him come back and race full time.
If he were returning simply for money, then fans should let him have it, especially since he cashed in on a retirement tour.
Others – I won’t name names, but they know who they are – have done just that, taking uncompetitive rides just to make big money. Some came back to help out a friend; others did it just to cash another big check.
One driver you have to credit for not doing that is Rusty Wallace, who embarked on an elaborate retirement tour and then stayed retired. Perhaps the money-making retirement tour or his TV deal with ESPN has something to do with that, but he still stuck by his word when he, no doubt, had opportunities to come back and could have done better than some of the ones who did.
If Martin does indeed return to a full-time schedule, I don’t believe money will be the driving force.
Martin is one of the most intense competitors this sport has ever seen. He has always been a driver who races for the pure joy of racing and who races to win.
If he comes back, I think he will do it for one more shot at victory with a competitive team.
He also has two big voids in his career. Though he has 35 Cup wins and more Nationwide Series victories than anyone, the two things missing from his resume are a Daytona 500 win – which he almost got last year – and a Cup championship.
He has come oh so close to winning the championship many times, finishing second or third in points eight times and in the top five 12. If he has one more legitimate shot with a top team like Hendrick, you can’t blame him for taking it.
If Martin were a money-grubbing jerk who runs over anybody and everybody, on the race track and off, then maybe fans would have a fair reason to begrudge his return.
But that’s not Mark Martin. He has been one of the classiest, most respectful drivers in the sport throughout his career. For that alone, he deserves a free pass.
Though Martin insists that he enjoys the time off afforded by a part-time schedule, I can see his competitive fire tempting him to take advantage of one more golden opportunity to win races and, possibly, that elusive championship.
If you find fault with a competitor for that, well, there’s just something wrong with you.
Martin back to full-time? Why not?
By David Green
That’s Racin’
June 28, 2008The notion of Mark Martin coming back to full-time Cup racing status has been a topic of considerable discussion lately, with most of the speculation I've heard and read putting Mark in a Hendrick Motorsports car (the No. 5 soon to be vacated by Casey Mears).
There seems to be a lot of animosity on the part of some toward the idea of Martin coming out of semi-retirement. I'm not sure I can figure that out, but everyone has the right to his or her opinion.
I think there's little question that Mark is at the very top of the list of NASCAR's greatest drivers never to win the Grand Nationa/Cup championship title. He's in very, very elite company, make no mistake, alongside greats such as Curtis Turner, Fireball Roberts, Junior Johnson, Fred Lorenzen, Davey Allison, Harry Gant, Tim Richmond and Lee Roy Yarbrough.
But all things considered, I rank Martin the best non-champ.
I can almost see him grimacing at the words. Mark has always maintained that he did not need a championship trophy to validate himself as a racer or as a successful person, and I take him at his word. But so much of what professional athletes do is molded by the perception of their fans, it's impossible to ignore the fact that some of the best drivers in the sport never managed to win the title.
The fact that he has come so close so many times (second to Earnhardt in 1990 and '94, second to Gordon in '98, second to Stewart in 2002; third four times, fourth three times, fifth once) is proof that he's worthy. It isn't a matter of being lucky to get close, it's a matter of being unlucky to never close the deal.
If he does go full-time again -- and I hope he does, if that's what he wants to do -- it will be a sort of third time around for Martin, who broke into NASCAR as a youngster back in the early 1980s, but ran afoul of professional and personal problems that set him back and sent him down from the major leagues.
He was down, but not out. And when he returned to NASCAR with Jack Roush in 1988, he was ready to take his place among stock car racing's best. And he was a more content, more self-satisfied person, to boot -- not so much because of racing success, but in a happy coincidence kind of way.
I've enjoyed watching his career, and there are few drivers I've watched for whom I have more respect. Mark is a gentleman and a racer, and that's not an easy pair of attributes to blend.
As for those who reject or resent the idea of him coming back, as I said, to each his own. I can't understand the negativity, but maybe the critics have never had a change of heart or mind about anything. So I won't debate the matter, other than to say I'm looking forward to it -- and to leaving the debate about best non-champ driver to fans of those other guys I listed.
Mears and Hendrick to part ways at end of season
The Associated Press
June 27, 2008LOUDON, N.H. (AP) — Casey Mears will be looking for a new ride in 2009.
Hendrick Motorsports said Friday that Mears, who has been with the team since 2007 and moved to the No. 5 Chevrolet to replace Kyle Busch, will be released at the end of this season.
"We've put a ton of emphasis on the No. 5 program," team owner Rick Hendrick said in a release. "It's been a total team effort, and Casey has worked as hard as anyone to help us improve. We've tested more than we ever have, but the results just haven't come.
"None of us, Casey included, have been satisfied with the situation this season. But he's confident there are other options out there for him in 2009, and we feel like Hendrick Motorsports will have some opportunities, too."
The Hendrick team is one of the most powerful in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series, but the performance of the No. 5 has not kept up with his teammates. Heading into Sunday race at New Hampshire International Speedway, Mears has only three top-10 finishes and is 24th in the season standings, while teammates Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson are all in the top seven.
"I know the effort has been there, but we haven't had the finishes to show for it," said Mears, whose only Cup victory came in May 2007 at Charlotte. "I've never tested this much or put more energy into racing. But, for whatever reason, we just haven't been able to make it click. It's certainly not for lack of dedication on anyone's part.
"I'll talk to people about opportunities and get my 2009 plans wrapped up soon, but I'm also focused on the next 20 races and finishing 2008 on a positive note. We ran well the second half last year, and I know we can do it again. I want to close this season the right way."
There have been unconfirmed reports that longtime NASCAR star Mark Martin, currently running a part-time schedule with Dale Earnhardt, Inc., will replace Mears in the No. 5 and take one last shot at a Cup title in 2009. Hendrick said the team's plans for replacing Mears will be announced later.
Busch, the hottest driver in Cup this year with five victories for Joe Gibbs Racing, was dropped from the Hendrick team at the end of last season when Earnhardt joined the team.
Mears moved out of the No. 25 car, which became Earnhardt's No. 88. The nephew of four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Rick Mears moved to the No. 5, in which Busch had a win, 20 top-10 finishes and finished fifth in the points.
Asked Friday about Mears being released, Busch said, "It's tough. That team may be expected to run somewhat what we ran last year. Hopefully, Casey can find another deal."
Can Martin make final run at elusive Cup title?
By Scott Adamson
ScrippsNews
June 26, 2008A lot of folks will agree that Mark Martin is probably the greatest NASCAR driver to never win a Sprint Cup championship. And when the diminutive pilot from Batesville, Ark., decided he was going to become a big league part-timer to spend more time racing pickups, it appeared his "close, but not quite" legacy was secure.
Maybe not.
Several news outlets are reporting that Martin will leave Dale Earnhardt Inc. at the end of the season and move over to Hendrick Motorsports, where he'll take over for Casey Mears.
Mears, of course, is on his way out at Hendrick, and the consensus is that Martin could jump into the No. 5 Chevy and fit in just fine with the likes of Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
The deal -- if it materializes -- would likely mean Martin would compete in all 36 Cup events and thus become eligible to win an elusive series championship.
Frankly, I'm a little surprised that Martin would jump back into a full-time Cup situation. It was obvious as his semi-retirement drew closer he was tired of the grind, and there are some tracks -- such as Talladega Superspeeday -- that he absolutely despises.
He has said time and again that the Craftsman Truck Series is more akin to what Cup competition used to be like, and that's where he wanted to put his energy.
But maybe he believes with Hendrick equipment and a team with limitless money he could legitimately contend for a crown.
By leaving DEI, Martin hands the keys completely to Aric Almirola, who he has been teaching for the past two years while they shared the No. 8 Chevy. DEI Vice President of Motorpsorts Operations John Story wouldn't speculate on Martin's departure, but did say Almirola will have a car all to himself in 2009.
"Aric is ready for a full-time ride," Story said. "We're talking to Mark about what his objectives for the future are, and trying to marry that with our own, with Aric Almirola, to make sure Aric has the opportunity to run full-time next year.
"We're going through the process right now of trying to make sure that we get something for Aric that provides a 36-race schedule, and at the same time that Mark is in a good situation."
Mears has one year left on his contract with Hendrick, but as we all know contracts can be broken -- often with relative ease. And Mears has been a weak link in the organization, so it makes sense that both driver and team need to get jumpstarts on fresh starts.
So if all the dominoes fall into place, Martin could very well be part of what was dubbed a "super team" prior to the 2008 season but has registered only one victory this year.
If he decides to make a full 36-race commitment, Martin will have one last shot at the brass ring known as the Sprint Cup championship. Still, having listened to him say over and over he had no desire to be part of the grind again, I'll only believe it when I see it.
But of course, I've been wrong before -- more times than I've been right.
It just proves that "silly season" in NASCAR never ends.
2 earn Lovendahl award
Batesville Daily Guard
June 26, 2008SEARCY — The eighth annual Christain Martin Lovendahl Scholarship has been awarded to David Fitzgerald of Huntington Beach, Calif., and Joseph Stilwell of Connellys Springs, N.C.
Both are students of the NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville, N.C.
The scholarship honors the memory of Lovendahl, a crew chief in the Busch Grand National Series, now known as the Nationwide Series, who died in an auto accident on May 5, 2000.
His mother, Glenda Martin White, and uncle, NASCAR driver Mark Martin, established the scholarship to aid students who share the passion that Lovendahl had for helping others in their endeavors to follow their dreams.
“In conjunction with the students’ studies at the institute, Fitzgerald and Stilwell have proven themselves as leaders in all of their daily responsibilities,” according to a news release. “This will be a valuable trait as they both begin to follow their dreams of working in NASCAR racing.”
In his application, Fitzgerald said that he left his family and friends behind last May to travel to North Carolina to attend NASCAR Technical Institute and fulfill his desire to be a part of racing. Stilwell said that during his time at the institute he has never received a professional downgrade or missed any class time and has been accepted into BMW MSAT (Manufacturer Specific Advanced Training).
Both Fitzgerald and Stilwell will receive $1,000 to pay expenses associated with their studies at the institute.
“Fitzgerald and Stilwell are serious students and truly very driven young men,” White said. “They are working very hard to follow their dream of moving into a position in the world of automotive/NASCAR. I am confident that they will both do themselves, their families and Christain’s memory proud.”
Lovendahl, a 1991 Batesville High School graduate, spent his entire life around race cars, traveling to races with his grandfather, the late Julian Martin, and working on cars for his uncle, Mark Martin. Lovendahl eventually turned his love of racing into a successful career in NASCAR racing. At age 27, he was killed in a traffic accident in Mooresville, after returning from Richmond (Va.) International Raceway.
The NASCAR Technical Institute opened in Mooresville on July 1, 2002. It offers instruction on the basics of engine construction, body and aero application, chassis application, body and chassis fabrication, and dyno testing for performance and durability. As the exclusive partner of NASCAR, the institute is the first and only technical training school to officially combine automotive and NASCAR technology programs.
To be eligible for the Christain Martin Lovendahl Scholarship, students must have a real desire to enter into the automotive/racing arena, have completed at least 14 phases of education at the institute, and show the ability to function at a high level with other students and staff.
White is the owner of J-Mar Express Inc. To contribute or learn more about the Christain Martin Lovendahl Scholarship Foundation, write to J-Mar Express, P.O. Box 9198, Searcy, AR, 72145-9198, or call 1-800-233-9602.
Fuel Strategy Comes Up Short for Martin at Michigan; No. 8 Army Team Finishes 25th
DEIBROOKLYN, Mich. (June 15, 2008) -- With only three laps remaining in Sunday's LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway, Mark Martin and the No. 8 U.S. Army Team looked to be on their way to another top-five finish.
Martin was running in fifth place on Lap 197, but the race's sixth caution put an end to crew chief Tony Gibson's fuel mileage strategy, and ultimately, Martin's bid for a strong result in the Sprint Cup race.
While positioned in 10th place, the No. 8 team gambled by pitting on Lap 155 to top off with fuel and to take four fresh tires. The move would have worked had the race remained green for the final 45 laps. But when Sam Hornish Jr. spun out on Lap 197 and forced the race into overtime, the additional laps drained the fuel tank on the No. 8 Chevy.
When the race restarted with a green-white-checkered finish, Martin was in third place. But his Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevrolet Impala SS ran out of fuel just after the green flag fell. Martin was able to limp around the track, finishing 25th.
"It was looking good there for a minute, but we just didn't have enough left in the tank," said Martin. "We almost pulled off the top-five finish, but I guess it just wasn't meant to be. It was a great effort by Tony (Gibson) and this Army team, and one they can sure be proud of on the Army's 133rd Birthday."
The No. 8 U.S. Army Team will return to action next weekend in Sonoma, Calif. for the circuit's first of two road course races. Rookie co-driver Aric Almirola will pilot the No. 8 at Infineon Raceway and also the following week at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Martin returns to the car at Daytona in July.
Mark Martin Post Race Notes and Quotes - LifeLock 400
GM RacingMARK MARTIN, NO. 8 U.S. ARMY CHEVROLET IMPALA SS, STARTED 15TH, FINISHED 26TH
"Tony (Gibson, crew chief) and the guys really put all they had into the effort today," said Martin. "It was looking good there for a minute, but we just didn't have enough left in the tank. We almost pulled off the top-five finish, but I guess it just wasn't meant to be. Still it was a great effort by this Army team and one they can sure be proud of on their 233rd Birthday."
Mark Martin Media Visit - MIS
GM Racing
June 13, 2008MARK MARTIN, U.S. ARMY IMPALA SS, met with members of the media at Michigan International Speedway and talked about racing at Michigan, Father's Day, Kyle Busch, Richard Petty, physical preparation for a race on a hot day and other topics.
FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE HEAT LAST WEEK IN POCONO. YOU ARE KIND OF THE STANDARD FOR PERSONAL HEALTH AND WHAT NOT. WHAT DO YOU DO PERSONALLY TO PREPARE YOURSELF FOR SUMMER HEAT?
"I live every day like its going to be Pocono tomorrow. Every single day, I don't think there is anything in particular that you can do, you know. In the old days people thought you could have a bowl of pasta and a good night's sleep before the race and you'd be ready. But I never subscribed to that.
"It takes so long for your body to change like making a weight loss or anything else. If you notice it takes a long time and a long term commitment to get in top physical condition.”
MARK, TALK ABOUT GETTING TO MEET MARY KAY ON SUNDAY. SHE HAS SIX SONS IN THE ARMY
"Well, I look forward to it. It's a great opportunity and you know, she must be one heck of a woman and I look forward to meeting her."
MARK TALK ABOUT THE NEW CAR AND JUST IN GENERAL, HOW MUCH MORE OF A STRAIN IT IS.
"They are a little hotter, the COT is. You know the rest of it's all determined by a good day bad day on handling and humidity. A lot is determined by the handling of the race car and how difficult it is, and how tough it is. I don't think in general it's tougher today than it ever was."
YOU TALK TO SOME DRIVERS AND THEY SAY THE NEW CAR JUST SEEMS HOTTER.
"They do. They are certainly, but like I said before, in general, generally speaking they are not significantly tougher than the cars that I drove when I started Cup racing in the early eighties. A lot is determined by the humidity, by the handling of the car and then the only other thing is the intensity of the racing from green flag is higher. The first half of the race is just like the half of the race today, whereas you used to be able to pace yourself."
HOW MUCH TOUGHER IS IT MENTALLY OR PHYSICALLY?
"I live everyday like tomorrow's Pocono. And that's all I can tell you. Everyday, I don't even think you can load up on water and make a difference. I myself don't think that works. I'm forty-nine years old and I have experimented quite a bit with all that stuff. I don't see an appreciable difference in a tune up before the race. You can't tune your body up like you can a car. It's not the same thing.
HOW MUCH OF IT IS MENTAL?
"I don't know. It's hard when it's hard. No matter.”
MARK, YOU AND YOUR DAD WERE SO CLOSE. FATHER'S DAY IS ON SUNDAY AND IT'S A SPECIAL DAY AND IT'S A TRADITION TO BE HERE ON FATHER'S DAY.
"Yeah, you know I'm going to be up her by myself this weekend but in spirit we are all together. It's a real privilege to be a dad. And you know I am real lucky to have Matt and have such a fine young man and a wonderful wife for twenty-five years and you know, for me it doesn't matter that we are not in the same place together because our hearts are together in the same place."
I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE PETTY IMPACT ON THE SPORT. WHERE DO YOU THINK THE SPORT WOULD BE IF THE PETTY'S WEREN'T INVOLVED?
"You know, Richard Petty was the king of the era that I came in. You know I didn't know about NASCAR racing prior to Richard. Richard Petty was the guy that I pulled for and he brought the sport you know, to another level based on his popularity and his success, his appeal, the way he handled people set the standard for any kind of sport."
LET'S TALK ABOUT THE TRACK AND WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO TO HAVE SUCCESS HERE.
"You know this is a really big race track and they say you need horsepower and it doesn't hurt to have it. But really one-hundred percent key is going through these big turns. The corners are huge here and that makes it fun and challenging for the teams and drivers. Just making the cars go through the corners better.”
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON SOME OF THESE INVESTMENT GROUPS THAT ARE NOT NECESSARILY "RACERS" COMING INTO NASCAR FINANCIALLY?
"It's different for sure. I am not really sure how to answer that. You know the old school in me wishes it was back the way it was in 1980 or 1981 when I first came here. On the other hand, nothing stays the same and nothing is like it was in 1981. So it’s progress. It is good things and bad things. The positives are that it's all about more job opportunities for people that want to be involved in racing and there is so much more opportunity than there was back then. And you know, when you bring investors in it helps the Petty's and it helps the teams, it helps Roush move to the next level and continue to compete on the level that they were competing on before. Otherwise it's very difficult and winds up forcing you out the way it did Larry McClure, Morgan-McClure for example.
FUEL MILEAGE IS ALWAYS A TOPIC WHEN WE COME UP HERE CHEVY VERSUS THE COMPETITION. DO YOU GUYS FEEL LIKE YOU ARE GETTING AS GOOD OF FUEL MILEAGE AS MOST EVERYBODY?
"You know, no we could probably use just a little bit better, but we'll probably be okay. We're middle of the road. You know not bad, but certainly not top of the heap either."
IF THE CREW CHIEF SAYS SAVE SOME FUEL HERE, CAN YOU GIVE US AN IDEA OF WHAT YOU MIGHT DO TO DO THAT?
"If you want to put it simply, don't give it as much gas, which equals slow down, which isn't a great option either. Only if you have the fastest car by a bunch like we did at Phoenix is where you can afford to do that. Most of the time you don't have the significant car that you need to be able to make a difference."
MARK YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU TRIED EVERYTHING YOU KNOW AND YOU TRY AND KEEP IN GREAT SHAPE EVERYDAY. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS IN THE PAST THAT YOU TRIED?
“You know a bowl of pasta. You can't have a bowl of pasta and be okay tomorrow. You drink a gallon of water and what goes in has to come out. There are limits and it just needs to be a lifestyle."
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO COME BACK AND TO KEEP RACING AND RACE HERE AT MICHIGAN?
"This is my family and it's all I have known for thirty-five years. Given a choice of sitting at home...what do you think? It's my life and the reason I am a race car driver is because I was better at that than I was at other sports and there is a certain amount of satisfaction and attraction at being good at something.
DO YOU THINK IT SAYS A LOT ABOUT YOURSELF THAT YOU ARE STILL ENJOYING A SUCCESSFUL RACING CAREER? DOES YOUR SON HAVE OTHER INTERESTS OTHER THAN RACING AND DOES YOUR CAREER PLAY A PART IN HIS DECISION?"
“You know he's going to follow his passion just like I did I did mine."
THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TALK THIS WEEK ABOUT THE LAWSUIT. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT AND HOW MUCH PROGRESS DO YOU THINK NASCAR HAS MADE IN THEIR DIVERSITY EFFORTS OVER THE YEARS?
"I don't know nearly enough to make a comment."
JUST FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, YOU'VE BEEN HERE FOR SO MANY YEARS. HAVE YOU SEEN ANY PROGRESS ON THEIR PART?
"You know, I don't know enough about it. I'm not really prepared to comment on it. I haven't really. I don't know. I don't know nothing, I don't know what happened there. I don't know. I don't know."
SHOULD PEOPLE LOOK AT KYLE BUSCH'S SEASON AS ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT SEASONS A DRIVER HAS HAD IN NASCAR OR SHOULD IT BE DISCOUNTED BECAUSE IT ISN'T ALL CUP?
"Oh, that wouldn't be fair. I think if didn't win another race this year; I think it should be one of the more significant achievements of all of NASCAR. He has won in everything he drove, especially winning for Braun Racing, additional significance because it wasn't the No. 20 car in Nationwide. The No. 20 car is pretty special. There are a lot of things that make him a hero there. One, is I don't think he gets paid to drive that truck, just for one. There are many others. I'm not going to sit here and pump Kyle to the max, but there is a lot of good stuff there.”
"He has won four cup races this year, right? Forget all the rest of it; he has won four Cup races in a car that hasn't won in a long, long time. That should be enough, alone. See, he has won so much I can't even count 'em. I thought it was just two Cup races. So really that alone should be enough to rank it as a one of the significant achievements in NASCAR history. In my opinion, one thing is my wins and record is old. Old is always forgotten, it is, let's face it. Kyle is the most current and that is a big deal. Plus if you look at his frustrations from last year, it also makes it more newsworthy, I think. Make more people talk about it I think because he wasn't very successful last year and he was very frustrated."
THERE IS A LOT OF GUYS WHO SAY THEY WOULD DRIVE FOR FREE. WOULD YOU DO IT?
"I did last year for the Wood Brothers. Don't think he (Kyle Busch) is the only guy that ever did it for free. I just never bragged about it. You might be the first person I told about it. I bragged on Kyle, I am not going to get up here and make everybody sick from bragging on Kyle. I paid him a compliment, a very, very good compliment and I give plenty. But that is a significant thing that he drives, from what I understand, for the trophy. That is what I did with JTG/Wood brothers last year. So he isn't the only guy that has ever done that, there are many more. But it is still is significant. But he is also 23 years old. If you are in between, it may be more important that you are making a living than it is when you are like me or when you are first starting."
WHAT DID RICHARD PETTY MEAN TO YOU?
"One of my heroes. Just a thrill of being on the same race track was huge for me. He was Richard Petty and I was a hillbilly from Arkansas wanna-be NASCAR driver. I remember the first time being on the race track and being awestruck that I passed him. Not only did I race with him, but on a good day, I could drive by him. That was pretty incredible."
Mother of 6 Soldiers to be Guest of U.S. Army NASCAR Team in Michigan
DEI/U.S. ArmyMOORESVILLE, N.C. (June 11, 2008) -- Mary Cay Thorrez-Wheeler, a mother of six soldiers, will be a guest of the No. 8 U.S. Army NASCAR team and driver Mark Martin for Sunday's Sprint Cup race at Michigan International Speedway (MIS).
A resident of Jackson, Mich., Mary Cay will be joined at MIS by five of her Army sons. DJ, the oldest of the six family soldiers, was killed in Iraq during a patrol ambush in October 2003. He joined the Army following the Sept. 11, 2001 tragedies.
"It will be an honor to meet Mary Cay and her sons," said Martin. "She is not only an inspiration to her family, but is also an inspiration to all parents who support and believe in their children's ambitions and dreams."
The five soldier/siblings who will accompany Mary Cay to the LifeLock 400 NASCAR race are: Quentin (Army Reserve), Paul (Army, active duty), Spencer (Army, active duty), Dominic (Future Soldier) and Patrick (JROTC).
Mary Cay and her sons are scheduled to participate in Sunday's U.S. Army birthday cake cutting ceremony with Martin and Maj. Gen. Scott West, approximately 11:10 a.m. at the No. 8 hauler in the MIS garage.
The U.S. Army, which was formed on June 14, 1775, is celebrating its 233rd birthday this weekend.
Martin hopes for Army birthday celebration
DEIAfter a solid top-10 performance for Martin and the No. 8 Dale Earnhardt Inc. Team at Pocono, the team heads into Michigan International Speedway looking to build on that momentum and close the gap between themselves and the 12th-place cutoff point for the Chase for the Sprint Cup.
WORTHY NOTE
Martin has four wins at Michigan in the Cup car, two more in the Nationwide Series and one in the IROC Series.
MARTIN AT MICHIGAN
Starts: 44 (22)
Wins: 4 (1)
Top 5's: 16 (6)
Top 10's: 27 (13)
Poles: 1 (-)
Highest finish: 1st (4 times)
First time: 6/20/82 (33rd)
Last year: 6/17/07 (29th)
Last time: 8/21/07 (42nd)MARTIN AT MICHIGAN
This will be Martin's 45th run at MIS, where he boasts four wins, 16 top fives, 27 top 10s and a pole. Martin has finished inside the top 10 in seven of his last 13 races at Michigan. He has four wins at MIS, where he first won on Aug. 19, 1990. Martin has won three more times at MIS, with the last trip to Victory Lane coming on June 14, 1998.
MARK MARTIN - FAST FACTS - MIS
Martin's 27 top-10 finishes at Michigan are the most of any driver.
Martin's 16 top-five finishes at Michigan are the most of any active driver.
Martin has four wins at Michigan in the Cup car, the third most of any active driver.
Martin has led 22 races at Michigan for a total of 851 laps.
Martin has finished in the top 10 in seven of his last 14 races at Michigan.
Martin has finished in the top five in four of his last nine Cup starts at MIS.
Martin boasts two Nationwide and an IROC win at Michigan.
MARTIN - LAST YEAR AT MICHIGAN
June 6, 2007
Michigan Int'l Speedway
Started 15th, Finished 29thMark Martin and the U.S. Army Team finished 29th Sunday at Michigan International Speedway. It was their toughest outing of the season.
Martin started the race 15th, but fought an extremely tight race car in the beginning - losing 23 positions in the first 25 laps of the race.
The team was able to tighten the car during the first two pits stops, and with better handling. Martin battled his way back into the lucky dog position, earning back his lap when the second caution was issued on Lap 69 of 200.
Martin climbed back inside the top 20 by lap 79, but the U.S. Army team was hit with a dose of bad luck when the race’s fourth caution was called on Lap 114, just four laps after the team pitted under green. Once again, Martin found himself a lap down.
With the car still struggling, the team tried a series of adjustments, including massive wedge and track bar changes. They even changed the car’s right-front shock.
"It just wasn’t there today," said Martin. "We’re a much better team - we all know that."
OFF SEASON AT MICHIGAN
Last season Martin finished 29th and 42nd at Michigan. The 42nd-place finish - due to engine issues - was Martin's worst in 44 starts at the 2-mile track. In addition, the year's 34.5 average finish at Michigan in 2007 is Martin's worst ever in 25 years of racing at Michigan. Last season was only the second time since 1988 that Martin has failed to post a top-10 finish at MIS. The team will look to rebound from that with a strong run this weekend.
THE WINNER
Martin has taken seven trips to Victory Lane at MIS. In addition to his four wins in the Sprint Cup Series, he boasts two Nationwide wins and a win in the International Race of Champions Series.
AND CLOSING - NO. 8 JUST 22 POINTS OUTSIDE OF CHASE
With last Sunday's 10th-place finish at Pocono, the No. 8 Dale Earnhardt Inc. Team moved to just 22 points outside of the top 12 and the cutoff point for the Chase for the Sprint Cup. The team has posted six top-10 finishes in 2008, more than 72 percent of the field in '08.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ARMY
This weekend will mark the 233rd Birthday of the United States Army. Martin will be a part of a special cake cutting ceremony on Sunday to commemorate the event.
MARK MARTIN QUOTING ON MICHIGAN INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
"Michigan is one of my favorite tracks on the circuit. It's big and wide and you can really pass there. If you are able to get your car set up right, you can do a lot of passing, which can make for a pretty fun day at the race track. I've had a lot of success there over the years, but we had an off year there last season, so we'll be looking to rebound from that this weekend.
"(Crew Chief) Tony Gibson and the guys on the No. 8 Team continue to get the car better each week. We still have some work cut out for us on getting the car better over the entire run, as we've been dropping off for some reason. Still, I think that we'll have a good car this weekend and hopefully we'll be able to give the Army and all of the Soldiers watching something to cheer about as we celebrate the Army's Birthday at Michigan."
ALL-TIME NASCAR ELITE, MARK MARTIN
Martin’s 35 Sprint Cup wins puts him fourth on the win list among active drivers and 17th on the all-time list.
Martin started 621 consecutive Sprint Cup races between 1988 and 2007, the fifth-longest streak in NASCAR history.
Martin’s 41 Cup poles are the fifth most in Cup history.
Martin ranks fifth all-time in the Sprint Cup point standings.
Martin has started 709 Cup races, finishing inside the top 10 on 390 occasions, inside the top five 241 times and visiting winner’s circle 35 times.
Martin’s 48 career wins in the Nationwide Series are a NASCAR record.
Martin’s 13 victories in IROC competition are the most ever. Martin has won a record five championships in the IROC series, including a record three straight.
Martin is the only driver in NASCAR to have won a Cup, Busch, Truck and IROC race at the same track (California Speedway).
The No. 8 DEI Team is only 22 points outside the top 12 and the Chase cutoff point.
Martin Doesn't Need to Shop for Army Birthday Gift
DEIBROOKLYN, Mich. (June 10, 2008) -- Presenting his primary sponsor -- the United States Army -- with the ultimate birthday gift is foremost on Mark Martin's mind as he readies himself for Sunday's LifeLock 400 Sprint Cup race at Michigan International Speedway.
It's almost like having a second chance for Martin to provide the Victory Lane present to the Army, which will celebrate its 233rd birthday this weekend. The U.S. Army was formed on June 14, 1775.
When Martin's No. 8 Chevrolet Impala SS paid tribute to the 100th birthday of the Army Reserve at the April race in Phoenix, the veteran driver nearly pulled off the win. He dominated the race in the late stages before settling in with a fifth-place finish due to a fuel mileage issue.
"We've been knocking at the door for some time now and are definitely overdue for a victory," said Martin, who has 35 career Cup wins. "A trip to Victory Lane in the soldiers' car would be by far the best birthday gift that we could give to the U.S. Army."
The good news for the Army is that Michigan International Speedway has been a track where Martin has enjoyed success. He is a four-time NASCAR Cup winner at the 2.0-mile oval and has garnered 16 top fives and 27 top 10s.
"Michigan is one of my favorite tracks on the circuit and I've had a lot of success there over the years," noted Martin. "It's big, wide and you can really pass there. If you are able to get your car setup right, you can do a lot of passing, which can make for a pretty fun day."
A strong performance at Michigan will not only put the icing on the birthday cake, but it could also propel the No. 8 team into the top 12 in owner points, which is the cutoff for making the Chase for the Sprint Cup.
After 14 races, the No. 8 Dale Earnhardt Inc. driving duo of Martin and Aric Almirola is currently 15th in owner points, only 22 points shy of 12th.
"Our goal is to make the Chase on owner points," said Martin. "This is a quality race team and I am confident that we will keep getting better."
Veteran runs to fifth top-10 finish of season
DEILONG POND, Pa. (June 8, 2008) -- Mark Martin battled all the way to the final laps of Sunday's Pocono 500 to earn his fifth top-10 finish of the season. Martin and his No. 8 Steak-Umm Chevrolet overtook the No. 43 car of Bobby Labonte with two laps remaining to cap a 10th-place run.
The team had employed an alternative strategy that saw Martin short pit on Lap 167 of 200 for four tires and fuel. The strategy paid off in the end, with Martin earning his record extending 30th top-10 finish at Pocono Raceway.
"These guys just never stop fighting," said Martin. "They just dig in and never give up. Tony Gibson (crew chief) employed a great strategy and we were able to beat a lot of cars today that might have been a little better than us on speed."
"The Steak-Umm Chevrolet was good all day," added Martin. "But it just dropped off there at the end of a run. We'll keep plugging away at it and keep getting it better and better. It really is a pleasure to drive this No. 8 team's race car each week."
Martin started the race third after Friday's strong qualifying effort and ran the majority of the first 100 laps inside the top seven.
Martin came down pit road for four tires, fuel and a large track bar adjustment under caution on Lap 106 in hopes of tightening the car's handling. However, the move backfired, with Martin falling back to 15th by Lap 109.
Unable to move forward in heavy traffic, Gibson and the No. 48 team opted to go with an alternative pit strategy that saw the team come down pit road under green on Lap 137 for four tires and fuel. The team pitted again for four tires and fuel on Lap 167.
When the race's eighth and final caution was issued on lap 175, Martin stayed out and was able to hang on for a top-10 finish.
Martin and the No. 8 Dale Earnhardt Inc. team remain in 15th position in the Sprint Cup owner standings, but pulled to within 22 points of 12th place and the cutoff point for the Chase for the Cup.
Mark Martin Post Race Notes & Quotes - Pocono 500
GM RacingMARK MARTIN, NO. 8 STEAK-UMM CHEVROLET IMPALA SS - Finished 10th, his 30th career top-10 result at Pocono
"These guys just never stop fighting. They just dig in and they never give up. (Crew Chief) Tony Gibson employed a great strategy and we were able to beat a lot of cars today that might have been a little better than us on speed.
"The Steak-Umm Chevrolet was good all day," added Martin. "But it just drops off there at the end of a run. We'll keep plugging away at it and keep getting it better and better. It really is a pleasure to drive this No. 8 team's race car each week."
Mark Martin Post Qualifying Notes & Quotes - Pocono 500
GM Racing
June 6, 2008MARK MARTIN, NO. 8 STEAK-UMM BURGERS IMPALA SS -- Qualified 3rd:
YOU'VE HAD 18 TOP 5 STARTS AT POCONO. IT SEEMED LIKE THE SUN CAME OUT AND THE TRACK GOT HOTTER
"It was a very good lap. I want to thank Tony Gibson and everybody at DEI for building great race cars. It's a privilege to drive stuff like this and I just want to thank them. I love driving fast race cars and I love this race track."
HOW DID THE CAR UNLOAD? TALK ABOUT TESTING LAST WEEK.
"We were at the top of the sheet there most of the time. So the car is good. The car was good at the test. I look forward to the event this weekend. It'll be fun."
Mark Martin Sprint Cup Race Preview - Pocono 500
DEIMark Martin and the U.S. Army Team of Dale Earnhardt Inc. will head to the Pocono Mountains this weekend, where Martin will look for his first career victory at the 2.5-mile tri-oval. Despite having never won at Pocono, Martin has a storied career there, where he is the all-time leader in both top-five and top-10 finishes.
MARK MARTIN AT POCONO
Starts: 42 (21)
Wins: --
Top 5s: 19 (12)
Top 10s: 29 (14)
Poles: 3 (1)
Highest finish: 2nd(6 times)
First time: 6/6/82 (26th)
Last year: 6/10/07 (7th)
Last time: 8/5/07 (9th)WORTHY NOTE
Martin has six second-place runs at Pocono.
MARTIN AT POCONO
This will be Martin's 42nd race at Pocono Raceway, where he has finished inside the top 10 on 29 occasions. He also boasts 19 top-five finishes at Pocono. Both numbers are the most of any driver. In addition, Martin has posted 27 top-10 starts in 42 races at Pocono.
MARK MARTIN - LAST YEAR AT POCONO
June 4, 2007
Pocono Raceway
Started 21st, Finished 7thMark Martin and the U.S. Army Team used a combination of pit strategy and speed to earn their seventh top-10 finish with a seventh-place run in a rain drenched race at Pocono Raceway.
In one of the stranger races of the season, Martin and the team were forced to overcome a poor qualifying effort on Friday and a mishap in the pits on Sunday to fight back and earn the top-10 finish.
LOOKING FOR NUMBER 'WON'
Martin has never won at Pocono, but he has come close on numerous occasions. The veteran has posted second-place finishes there six different times. In fact, Martin has finished second at Pocono in three of his last nine starts. In addition, he has finished third there on four more occasions. Martin has finished second or third in 25 percent of his starts and in the top five in almost 50 percent of his starts at Pocono.
FIGHTING BACK
Martin and the No. 8 U.S. Army Team will look to get back on track this weekend, after a 23rd-place finish last weekend at Dover, where almost nothing went right for the team. After three straight top-10 finishes earlier in the season at Phoenix, Texas and Richmond, the team has finished outside of the top 10 in its last three races.
MAKING A STRONG POINT
Despite running a limited schedule and having missed three of 13 events in 2008, Martin is ranked 24th in the Sprint Cup point standings; ahead of 12 drivers who have competed in more events. In addition, Martin's four top-10 finishes are more than 18 drivers who have taken part in all 13 events. Martin has as many or more top fives than 22 drivers who have competed in every event this season.
MARK MARTIN QUOTES ON POCONO
“Pocono is one of my favorite tracks on the circuit, despite the fact that I've never been able to win there. We have had some really strong runs at Pocono over the years and we've been close a lot with something like five or six second place finishes. It's funny because I always say that Pocono is one of my favorites and I've never won there, but I really don't like Martinsville very much at all and I've won there a couple of times.
"We've been a little off the last few weeks at Darlington, Charlotte and Dover, but we continue to make strides. Our short track stuff has been better than the cars at the bigger tracks. But we had a good test last week at Pocono and I'm encouraged by the gains we made there. Tony Gibson and this No. 8 U.S. Army Team continues to impress me with their work ethic and determination. Hopefully, we'll be able to go to Pocono this week and get this thing back on track, run up front and be competitive at the end."
MARK MARTIN - FACT FACTS - POCONO
Martin has finished second at Pocono on six different occasions.
Martin has finished second or third in over 25 percent of his 39 starts at Pocono.
Martin's 19 top-five finishes at Pocono are the most of any driver.
Martin's 29 top -10 finishes at Pocono leads all drivers.
Martin has finished second in three of his last nine races at Pocono.
Martin finished in the top 10 in both races at Pocono last season, the 10th time in his career he has accomplished that feat.
The Monster Strikes Back; Martin Finishes 23rd at Dover
DEI
DOVER, Del. (June 1, 2008) -- During his career, Mark Martin has gotten the best of the Monster Mile of Dover International Speedway. Bu ton Sunday, the Monster fought back as Martin posted a 23rd-place finish at the all-concrete oval.
Martin and the No. 8 U.S. Army/Dale Earnhardt Inc. team never got a handle on their Chevy Impala SS during the 400-mile Sprint Cup race, and a flat left tire coming out of the pits on Lap 231 effectively put an end to any chance of a competitive finish for the No. 8 team.
"That was a tough day out there," said Martin, who started the race 30th. "The car was extremely loose early on and we never really got a handle on it. The leaders were really fast. We were just trying to hang on to a reasonable finish and then we had a flat leaving the pits and that really put us behind the eight ball."
A multi car accident on Lap 19, which Martin avoided, forced the race to be red-flagged for 16 minutes. Once the red flag was lifted by NASCAR, Martin came down pit road for a massive set of track bar and air pressure adjustments.
Martin climbed to as high as 18th by Lap 73, but eventually dropped back to the mid 20's by the halfway point.
After exiting pit road following a Lap 231 stop under green, Martin's left rear tire went flat. He came back to pit road for new rubber and returned four laps down in 31st position. The team was able to battle back to finish 23rd.
"Sometimes that's just the way it goes," added Martin, whose career record at Dover includes four wins, 20 top fives and 27top 10s. "We struggled for much of the weekend and we had a hard time early on. We were able to come back and get the car running pretty well, but unfortunately by that time we were several laps down."
"We'll soldier on and see what we have at Pocono next week," added Martin. "That's all you can really do, is put this race behind us, take what we have learned and move on."
The Army team tested at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway on Tuesday and Wednesday, with Martin running inside the top 10 in all three sessions and posting the second-fastest lap in the final session.
Mark Martin Media Visit - May 31, 2008
GM RacingMARK MARTIN, NO. 8 U.S. ARMY IMPALA SS, met with members of the media at Dover International Speedway and talked about racing at Dover, recent NASCAR penalties, Joey Logano and other subjects.
HOW IS YOUR CAR?
"We haven't been very impressed so far this weekend. This is a really good place for me. What I really like about this race team is, it doesn't matter what we see today or tomorrow, this race team will fight like junk yard dogs, right until the end. We have made some pretty decent showings out of really disappointing performing race cars a time or two this year. Darlington was a good example of that. That is what I love about Tony (Gibson, crew chief) and this team, we are all in this together and we are going to fight for everything we can get."
MARTIN TRUEX, JR., GOT HIS FIRST CUP WIN HERE AT DOVER LAST YEAR AND GOT IN THE CHASE, BUT HE HAS KIND OF STRUGGLED A LITTLE BIG THIS SEASON, WHAT ARE YOU THOUGHTS ON THAT?
"I think if you haven't seen that Martin has been fast everywhere this year, you haven't been looking."
HOW MUCH DIFFERENT IS THE FEEL YOU NEED OUT OF THIS CAR COMPARED TO THE OLD CAR HERE AT DOVER?
"Not much different, you know. It is not the same race car, but you still try to do the same things with it. You just want to be fast with. You have got to do what you have got to do to make it the best you can make it. Fundamentally, not that much different. You can't certainly say you want it feel like the other car because it is not the other car, but fundamentally, you still want to accomplish the same things the best way you can."
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON ANOTHER TEAM TURNING THE HAAS TEAM TO NASCAR FOR VIOLATIONS?
"Back in the old days, we didn't turn each other in. We got like them, you know. That is what we did; our ethics were not to be a tattletale. If someone was doing something and getting away with it, we just did it too. But his is a different day and age. You kind of felt like a man back then. You didn't tell on anybody. If they were getting away with something, you just did it too. Certainly want to follow that same course of action in this day and age with the COT, with the penalty history and everything that is going on here. Things do change.
"Back then if you were doing something and it wasn't being policed or it wasn't whatever, then you figured it was fair game. If they wanted to stop it, they would address it, but now, it is different. It is a different time and day and age.”
HAVE YOU GIVEN ANY THOUGHT TO WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO NEXT YEAR?
"Not really. Just having a blast driving for Tony Gibson, the Army and the DEI bunch has been great. I love this team. It is so much fun to go to the race track, to go to work with them. They are so supportive. They deserve to win and we have been trying to do that."
ANY THOUGHTS ON THE NATIONWIDE RACE TODAY AND JOEY LOGANO'S FIRST START? ARE YOU GOING TO WATCH THE RACE?
"Oh yea, oh yea. I am see he is a little disappointed with his qualifying effort, but hopefully he won't be disappointed with his race effort.
"I didn't see his qualifying effort, he is so good he didn't tear the car up, that is the way I look at it, he will be great in the race.”
ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT ALL THE EXPECTATIONS PILED ON HIM?
"This is nothing for him, just another day at the race track. It could be a quarter-midget, legend car race, whatever, it is ok. The kid can take it. He can do the job. It is not like he is trying to do more. The hype is only there because he has done it, he can do it, and he has done it. That is the only reason the hype is there. It will not break him, they hype won't break him, the kid can do it."
WHAT IS IT ABOUT DOVER THAT MAKES YOU LIKE IT AND BE SUCCESSFUL HERE?
"I run good here, that is why I like it, sometimes you don't know the answers to those questions."
