August 2011 - November 2011
Waltrip Racing will use No. 55 for Martin, Waltrip
Associated Press
November 23, 2011
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (AP) Michael Waltrip Racing will use the No. 55 on the Toyota that will be shared next season by Mark Martin and Michael Waltrip.
The number is associated with sponsor Aaron's, which was founded in 1955 by Charlie Loudermilk. The company has been a Waltrip sponsor since 2000.
Martin is scheduled to drive 25 races next season for MWR beginning with the season-opening Daytona 500.
Waltrip is signed up for seven races, and has used the No. 55 in four previous seasons.
The car had used No. 00 for driver David Reutimann. He was let go to make room for Martin and Waltrip to share the ride.
Michael Waltrip Racing Hires Mark Martin Extends Aaron's Through 2013 - Michael Waltrip Racing
Martin will drive the Daytona 500
FOX Sports
November 23, 2011
Mark Martin has picked up his new number. And it carries a nod to the history of the team's sponsor.
Martin and teammate/team co-owner Michael Waltrip's NASCAR Sprint Cup entry will carry the No. 55 during the 2012 and 2013 seasons. Martin, 52, drove the No. 5 for Hendrick Motorsports in 2011.
The new number commemorates Charlie Loudermilk’s founding of Aaron’s, Inc., the Michael Waltrip Racing team's sponsor, in 1955.
Martin will drive in 25 Sprint Cup events each of the next two seasons, sharing the No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine with Waltrip, who will drive seven events with the company's sponsorshup.
Martin, who has 40 career Cup wins to his credit, joins Clint Bowyer and Martin Truex Jr. in the MWR stable of drivers.
He will begin his schedule with the team in the season-opening Daytona 500. Waltrip will run the remaining restrictor-plate races, plus the race at his home track, Kentucky Speedway.
MWR plans to run a combination of drivers and sponsor partners to fill the remaining races when Martin and Waltrip are not behind the wheel.
“I love it, a new team, a new car and a new number,” Martin said. “The car number means a lot to the driver. We talked about a lot of different number options, but the number 55 means a lot to Aaron’s and to Michael, so I am proud to drive it.”
Waltrip raced the No. 55 at Bill Davis Racing in 2006 and again in 2007-2009, the first three years of MWR’s existence.
“This means a lot to me,” said Waltrip. “I know how far MWR has come since we started with the No. 55 NAPA Toyota and how much we’ve grown heading into 2012. To get back into the No. 55 Toyota in 2012 and share driving duties with a first ballot hall of famer in Mark Martin is certainly an honor.”
FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 04: Driver Mark Martin speaks to the media at Texas Motor Speedway on November 4, 2011 in Fort Worth, Texas. Martin will drive the #00 Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota, on a limited basis next season. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR)
NASCAR: Michael Waltrip, Mark Martin and Ken Butler Interview
November 4, 2011
MICHAEL WALTRIP - MWR:
“Thank you all very much for your time this morning. A big day for Michael Waltrip Racing and for Aaron’s Sales and Lease Ownership. Aaron’s has been my sponsor since 2000. I flipped over in a car here in 2000 with Aaron’s on it and we’ve won races with Aaron’s in the Nationwide Series and, obviously, in the Cup Series. We’re here today to announce that Mark Martin will drive the Aaron’s Dream Machine in 2012 and 13 and we have an option for Aaron’s for sponsorship with them in 14, as well. It’s a big day for our team. We’re extending our relationship with one of the best sponsors in NASCAR. They use this sport as one of their main marketing tools making TV commercials, obviously, sponsoring races, hospitality -- they do it all. We’re just honored that they’re our partner. Had an interesting season this year. We’ve performed well, but we haven’t finished all that well and we elected that it was not going the way we hoped it would and talking to Mr. (Ken) Butler (chief operating officer at Aaron’s) he wanted to know what we were going to do. He said, ‘With where we are in the points, give me some options. Tell me what we are going to do,’ and he picked a future Hall of Famer here to drive the Aaron’s Dream Machine and I couldn’t be prouder or happier. So, Mark, welcome to the team. Looking forward to you not only driving our cars, but elevating our whole program, coaching our drivers and bringing some of that experience and knowledge to our team. Thank you."
How did your relationship with Aaron’s begin?
“Mr. (Ken) Butler (chief operating officer) and I met in ’99, I think, at a Shania Twain concert. He said, ‘I like you on the race track. I think you should drive for me.’ It started in 2000 with us running six Nationwide races and we have progressed all the way to now, what will be 12 or 13 years together. Our agreement with Aaron’s, just like it’s been the last couple of years, is 30 races and, Ken, I just want to say thank you for that."
What did it take to convince Mark Martin to join Michael Waltrip Racing?
“First of all, this whole process I think is from the time it was mentioned until sitting here today has been less than three weeks. We didn’t take a lot of time to convince Mark (Martin). We got a lot of great things going on a Michael Waltrip Racing. He loves the commitment that Aaron’s has made to the sport, so it was kind of an opportunity for him to step back a little bit like you said, refresh his batteries and run a limited schedule. My schedule is perfect. I get to run a few races and I’ve gone to Europe and raced the Ferrari a few times. I expect that won’t change. The thing that Mark said that I find interesting, he said it will give him a chance to spend a little more time with his sponsors and the fans, and that’s what I love about what I’m doing now. I can go places. When my drivers are in Dover, I might be in Idaho or Oklahoma somewhere doing appearances or I might be oversees talking about Michael Waltrip Racing to folks over there. I’m really lucky."
Who do you have in mind to fill in for the races that you or Mark Martin will not be competing in next year?
“We have 30 (races) with Aaron’s, so that leaves six that are unsponsored and we don’t have a driver for. So, we’re open for suggestions and sponsors. Are you volunteering?"
Could you Mark Martin fill in other races next year on the Cup side with other teams besides MWR?
“I know if anybody offers him a one-off or two, it will be us. So we still have six more."
MARK MARTIN, No. 00 Aaron’s Dream Machine Camry (beginning in 2012), Michael Waltrip Racing Opening Statement:
“Thank you, Michael (Waltrip). I really am excited about this opportunity that Aaron’s and Michael Waltrip have given me here. Not only to drive a race car, but the opportunity to join in on marketing partner that is second to none in motorsports. I really look forward and am anxious to get started with Aaron’s. I know that we’re going to have a whole lot of fun with Michael and Aaron’s and hopefully we can figure out a way to have some -- make fun of myself and I think that we’ve got some good ideas already. I look forward to it, but even more than that, having an opportunity to come in and work with an organization that is willing to get me an opportunity to have some effect or some say in the direction of the competition program of the people is really exciting. The performance level is not where they would like to be right now, but they’re making a serious move toward stepping that up and I’m really excited to have a chance to be a part of that. And everybody knows I like to help people and so getting a chance to work with some of the young drivers that come along and come through the program, as well as young pit crew members, is something that really means a lot for me. I can’t wait to get started. This is an incredible opportunity. I really look forward to working with everybody and all the partners at Michael Waltrip Racing and Toyota’s commitment to NASCAR and to motorsports is going to be exciting, as well. I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity and I really look forward to it."
How much will you enjoy the reduced schedule?
“That’s a pretty interesting question. Oddly enough, it is the same schedule as I ran in 07 and 08, with the exception of Michael (Waltrip) running the Bud (Budweiser) Shootout. We both think that that’s a great idea. First of all, in my opinion, he’s the best restrictor plate racer in NASCAR today. Second of all, we can go to Daytona doing what we’re going to do all year and that’s sharing a car at the, you know, Daytona event. I’m going to be standing up cheering for him. It is the perfect schedule for me and it gives me an opportunity to catch my breath, to spend a little bit more time with the fans, a little more time with the sponsors and, hopefully, a good bit more time than I am able to now with the team and organization. They’re giving me an opportunity here to maybe, hopefully have an effect on the direction of the program. I’m really excited about that, because that could be a transition for me to continue to be involved in the sport the way I want to be by using the experience I have and the things that I’ve learned over the years that I’ve been in NASCAR."
Will this limit your opportunities to run in the Nationwide and/or Truck Series next year?
“It does, yes. I was working in all three divisions looking for an ideal situation. When we talked at Talladega, there was no clear path but I was starting to see more traction on the Cup side than I had seen in the Nationwide or Trucks. I’ve got plenty to do right here, I’m excited about the opportunity. I get to do what I really, really love to do and I’m not particularly looking at adding to this schedule with the other divisions, but I wouldn’t count it out, either. You never know what situation comes up that could be of interest."
Could you fill in other races next year on the Cup side with other teams besides MWR?
“No, I couldn’t see that scenario in any normal situation. You never know what happens and the possibility of injury or something or other. My commitment is solely to Michael Waltrip Racing and Aaron’s and the partners with MWR and I’m not looking to do more than what I’ve signed up for. It’s perfect -- it's the perfect schedule for me."
How did this deal with MWR come about?
“First of all, because I have a fairly good relationship in this room, Michael (Waltrip) is correct, this from the first contact is only three weeks. So, it hasn’t been in the works very long. Contracts got signed Wednesday afternoon, not Tuesday when the story broke. It moved pretty quickly. I did have some other options, but most of the options were wait and see if it materializes. This is certainly the best option that was on the table at the present time. I’m excited about it. I can’t tell you how exciting it is to have an opportunity to do more, do the things that I really love to do in addition to drive a race car. Work with great people who are interested in allowing me to assist along with the experience that I have had through all these years. This is a process that moved very quickly."
What is your experience with the Electronic Fuel Injection and how will it change the current car? “I have not driven a fuel injected car yet. I know that it is in development and they are working out driver preference kinds of things, reaction, throttle reaction -- all those things they can affect through different, I don’t know the technical stuff about it, but they can affect the (way) the thing responds to throttle and a lot of those things. I know that they are down the road with that process and have several more months to get where they would like to have it where the drivers would like to have it. I have not driven one yet."
What changes have you seen take place at Michael Waltrip Racing?
“First of all, they presently have a very good program and they have fast race cars. Like Michael (Waltrip) said, they haven’t gotten, probably their average finish doesn’t equal the speed of their race cars. But, they are making serious move. Bringing Clint Bowyer in, Martin Truex Jr. -- both those guys are two of the brightest young stars in NASCAR. They have a lot of great people there and they are of course adding Scott Miller (vice president of competition) as well and they’re making a number of other serious moves to try to step that up. I think MWR is second to none on the marketing side of it. If you look at it, they’re the only team I know of in NASCAR that’s adding, not taking away or staying the same, so that tells you one thing. They’ve made a serious commitment to try to step it up on the race track as well. To be able to be a part of that is something that is really exciting. Sometimes for me, it’s very fun to take and get involved in a program and see it step up. When I went over, I probably have rarely had as much fun as I did especially the first five races over there (Hendrick) when we wound up with the point lead after five races and to see that team grow and see the enthusiasm and all that stuff. That means as much as any trophy to me to be able to help people realize their potential is very gratifying to me."
KEN BUTLER, chief operating officer, Aaron’s, Inc. Opening Statement:
“It is my pleasure. Actually, the first time we did something together at the Shania Twain, I asked you if you had ever done a commercial. And he (Michael Waltrip) said, ‘Yeah, I can do a commercial.’ And we were going to sponsor this Busch (NASCAR Nationwide Series) race at Atlanta Motor Speedway and we added 12 extra miles because customers can own their product and I thought that was a big deal and NASCAR allowed us to do that, so I wanted a driver that would complain about the 12 miles. Low and behold, that first race Mark Martin won it and I went up to him and I said, ‘Did that extra 12 miles bother you?’ And he just went, ‘Nope.’ I was hoping he would give me a story with it, but nah, no big deal. So later on, a couple of years later Michael lost the race, because somebody added 12 extra miles and he ran out of gas."
How did the idea of getting Mark Martin to race for Aaron’s come about?
“We don’t talk about that too much know. We’ve always focused on performance at the track and we’ve also focused on our marketing plan because we have to connect with the NASCAR community and I think we’ve done a really good job with that. In our first campaign, we had Michael (Waltrip) driving the Aaron’s Dream Machine and his Darrell (Waltrip) wanted to drive it and we wouldn’t let him drive it. And we finally let him drive it and that finally came to an end and then Michael’s career was winding down and he was starting a race team and David Reutimann came through the ranks from dirt track racing. We knew him and we’ve been with David for four of five years through Nationwide and all the way up to Cup, so I’m very appreciative of everything David has done -- created the old Lucky Dog to go with it -- but our contract is up next year, so our thinking in our camp is, ‘What’s next? What’s the next big deal?’ And, you don’t want to ever run out of time that you’re not sponsor. They could get somebody else and we’re out. I kind of like staying in front of it and I went to Michael and said, ‘What can we do next? What’s the next big deal,’ and we started thinking outside the box and I said, ‘Well, what about that Mark Martin guy?’ I’m thinking driver development program right here, you know. So we went out and got him and he’s on the team and I can’t be more than happy. I’ve got some ideas. I’m not sure how they’re going to work out yet, but if you can just kind of look at these two cats driving the Aaron’s Dream Machine, I think you probably can see two opposites and I’m thinking we can have a lot of fun with that. We’re looking forward to putting it all together and, more importantly for you guys, to perform on the track. So, thank you, Mark."
Martin signs on for part-time ride in MWR's 00
By Joe Menzer
NASCAR.COM
November 4, 2011
FORT WORTH, Tex. -- When it came right down to it, Michael Waltrip and Mark Martin looked at what each other had to offer and decided they were a match made in Sprint Cup garage heaven.
Thus, Michael Waltrip Racing made it official Friday with the announcement at Texas Motor Speedway that Martin, who will turn 53 this Jan. 9, will drive 25 races in the No. 00 Toyota for the organization in each of the next two Sprint Cup seasons. Martin will drive the car in the season-opening Daytona 500 each season, while Waltrip will drive it in each of the other three restrictor-plate races and the Cup race at Kentucky Speedway both seasons.
Team owner Waltrip also announced that the primary sponsor of the No. 00 Aaron's Dream Machine has signed on to cover the costs of 30 races in each of the next two seasons. Waltrip added that he will be looking for an assortment of other drivers and sponsors to fill in on the races neither he nor Martin are scheduled to drive.
More than anything, however, Waltrip said he is excited to have Martin, who has competed in the Cup Series for more than three decades, join his organization. He said he will be looking for Martin to provide expertise and insight that will serve the company well far beyond whatever finishes he's able to produce on the track in the No. 00 car.
Waltrip said adding Martin to the fold after the earlier hirings of driver Clint Bowyer and Scott Miller as executive vice president of competition make it clear that MWR is headed in the right direction.
"We want to see how it goes. And Mark is really into helping others reach their potential," Waltrip said. "We have a plan for him to drive 25 races over the next two years -- and to be at our competition meetings and hopefully help us be better.
"I know Bowyer coming to the team and Mark Martin coming to the team and Scott Miller coming to the team, and the new engine relationship we have with [Joe] Gibbs Racing and Toyota, and the things we're doing with Gibbs on simulation and wind tunnel ... all the things are pushing forward together. I think Mark and Clint are really coming on board at a very opportune time, because we feel like we've done a lot of good things back at the shop that are going to relate to better performance on the track. And when I say back at the shop, I'm talking about hiring Clint and hiring Mark and getting Scott. All those things are going to help our cars go faster."
Martin said that even though he explored many other opportunities -- including signing with Stewart-Haas Racing and driving the Cup races when Danica Patrick was not in the seat -- none came close to fruition.
"That was not close. Obviously, Tony and I put our heart into that, but that was not even close. So that wasn't a consideration," Martin said. "I don't really want to talk about the other possibilities. This is one that made my heart beep.
"The more I looked at it beyond face value, the more I was like, 'Whoa, I didn't see that coming.' And as I started to analyze it, I got more and more excited. And by the time we finalized the deal, it just continued to gain momentum from the excitement side of things -- because if you look at all the opportunities they're going to give me there, it's multiple things. All of which are fun and what I love to do. I couldn't ask for anymore."
Martin is finishing up his third season as driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, a job he took after driving part-time for two seasons following a 19-year stint driving Fords for what is now Roush Fenway Racing. He said he's ready to take on the challenge of driving a Toyota for MWR.
He also said he realizes that MWR's on-track performances have not been what Waltrip would like. He said he hopes to help change that.
"That's not a negative. That's an exciting challenge to be part of, to be a part of the solution or a part of the growth," Martin said. "Sometimes slipping into something on the top, there's nothing but pressure there. When there is opportunity for improvement, and people want your help with that, that's an exciting challenge."
Waltrip added: "It is very rare that a young organization gets an opportunity to hire a driver with Mark's incredible talent, experience and insight into what it takes to be a winner. Mark will be competitive but also a great teammate to Clint, Martin [Truex Jr.] and me. I'm thrilled he will be in our cars, but just as thrilled he will be in our meetings."
Mark Martin moves to Michael Waltrip for two NASCAR seasons
By Nate Ryan
USATODAY.com
November 4, 2011
FORT WORTH - Michael Waltrip Racing made a calculated decision to shore up its future, but it required jettisoning a fixture of its past.
Veteran Mark Martin will replace David Reutimann as driver of the team's No. 00 Toyota in 25 races for each of the next two Sprint Cup seasons, and his wealth of experience is expected to transcend the cockpit.
Team owner Michael Waltrip, who will drive the car in another five races, intimated several times during a Friday news conference at Texas Motor Speedway that Martin would be fill a quasi-management role with the team, coaching drivers and offering feedback.
Coupled with the addition of Clint Bowyer, competition director Scott Miller and a restructuring of the partnership between Toyota's teams, Waltrip said Martin would help "elevate our program.
"Mark is really into helping people," Waltrip said. "We have a plan for him to be at competition meetings and hopefully help us be better. I know Bowyer, Scott Miller, Mark Martin coming to the team and the new engine relationship we have with Toyota and (Joe Gibbs Racing) and all the things we're pushing together with Gibbs on simulations and wind tunnel. With all those things, Mark and Clint are coming at a real opportune time.
"We feel we've done a lot of good things back at the shop that are going to relate to performance on the track. Hiring Clint, Mark, getting Miller, it's going to make the cars faster. "
After three full seasons at Hendrick Motorsports, Martin will return to a part-time slate that is similar to the one he ran at Ginn Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc. in 2007-08.
"It is the perfect schedule for me," he said. "It gives me an opportunity to catch my breath and spend more time with the fans and the sponsors and hopefully a good bit more time than I'm able to now with the team and the organization. They're giving me an opportunity to hopefully have an effect on the direction of the program. I'm really excited about that because that could be a transition for me to continue to be involved in the sport the way I want to be by using the experience and things I've learned over the years in NASCAR."
During his first season with Ginn, Martin led the points standings after five races, boosting a team that rarely had such success before (and would be absorbed by DEI later in the year because of sponsorship woes.
"I probably have rarely had as much fun as I did, especially the first five races over there," Martin said. "To see that team grow and the enthusiasm and all that stuff. That means as much as any trophy to me. Being able to help people realize their potential is very gratifying for me."
The flip side to the feel-good story was Reutimann, who will be looking for a ride after three more races. He has driven 168 races in his Cup career for MWR and delivered the team's only two victories in 2009 and '10.
Before qualifying sixth for Sunday's AAA 500 at Texas, Reutimann told reporters "it's a bad time to be out of a job" in NASCAR.
"I'm just struggling a little bit with it," said Reutimann, who had signed a multiyear extension last July after winning at Chicagoland Speedway. "You've just got to wonder if it's worth it in the long run. I don't know.' The alternative is not doing it at all and that's not a great alternative to have.
"I want it worse than anybody that's ever set foot in this garage and I still do. I can still win races, I can still get the job done. Let's not forget last year that we were able to win and actually had a shot at making it in the Chase. That's only been a year ago. I can still do that if I can get into the right situation. It's unfortunate that things worked out like they did."
Waltrip also expressed regret about not being able to deliver the news to Reutimann in person. After returning Monday night to North Carolina, he had intended to tell Reutimann over breakfast Tuesday, but the driver already had left for Las Vegas.
"Poor planning on my part," Waltrip said. " It was totally quiet Monday and Tuesday morning, and I thought when he gets back, we'll sit and talk about this, and then (the news) blew up."
He said there was some comfort in a conversation with co-owner Rob Kauffman, who told Waltrip "there wouldn't be a good way to do this. So don't beat yourself up over it."
Waltrip said Reutimann "always was there to do what we needed him to do. … Heck, the Wood Brothers fired me, and they're my favorite people in the whole world. It's business; it isn't personal. It was hard for David to get the news. I do believe he'll wind up with a great opportunity somewhere, and I'm thankful that he drove for me for so long."
Team Chevy From The Driver's Seat - Mark Martin - Ford 400
November 15, 2011
MARK MARTIN, NO. 5 GODADDY.COM CHEVROLET - 20TH IN STANDINGS
“Hendrick Motorsports is just an amazing, amazing race team. And what makes it that way are the people who are there. These last three years of my career have been incredible. It was so flattering to me when Rick (Hendrick, team owner) hired me and made me a part of this group of drivers. Jeff (Gordon), Jimmie (Johnson) and Dale (Earnhardt Jr.) have been great teammates and friends of mine. Working with Rick – I’ve gotten the chance to know him on a more personal side. His people skills are incredible and what he’s built with this race team is something he should be very proud of. The fact that, when I look back on the wins in my career, that I had the opportunity to earn five of them with Hendrick Motorsports, is something I’ll always treasure.”
Mark Martin Post Qualifying Notes and Quotes - Kobalt Tools 500
Team Chevy
November 12, 2011
MARK MARTIN, NO. 5 GODADDY.COM CHEVROLET, QUALIFIED 4TH
ON HIS LAP
“I got a really good one and two and was really surprised how good it was, I thought three and four was going to be really good for grip, I thought all the guys were having trouble in one and two, so I went after it a little too much down there, got the car up in the high groove and lost a ton of time there. It is too bad, we had half the track right anyway, just big complement to everybody on the GoDaddy.com team, did an awesome job, just guessing what we might need for this condition and just wish I would have gotten all of it on both ends. At least got one end right.”
Mark Martin NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Preview - Kobalt Tools 500
Hendrick Motorsports
November 9, 2011
FIRST HENDRICK WIN
Mark Martin, driver of the No. 5 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet, earned his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win with Hendrick Motorsports at Phoenix International Raceway in April 2009. The then 50-year-old driver started from the pole position and led 157 laps en route to the emotional victory. It was his first win in more than three years and the 36th of his career. The victory also made Martin the fourth driver in NASCAR older than age 50 to win a Cup race.
MARTIN AT PHOENIX
Along with his Hendrick Motorsports win at Phoenix, Martin also visited Victory Lane at the one-mile oval in October 1993 after leading 157 laps. Martin has earned 12 top-five finishes and 19 top-10s in 29 Cup starts there.
BEST AVERAGE FINISH
Martin’s average finish of 8.8 at Phoenix is his best average finish at any track on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule. Earlier this season, Martin crossed the finish line 13th at Phoenix.
LEADER OF THE PACK
Martin leads all drivers in top-five finishes and top-10s at Phoenix. He also holds the record there for lead-lap finishes with 26 and laps completed with 8,907 total.
LOOP STATS
According to NASCAR’s loop statistics, Martin holds the second-best average finish-ninth-at Phoenix in the last 13 races and the eighth-best average running position-11.917. His 99.4 driver rating is the fifth-best of all competitors and his 362 laps led rank as third-most in the Sprint Cup Series. Martin has competed in 12 of those 13 races.
MOST RECENTLY AT PHOENIX
Martin started 23rd and was involved in a Lap 59 accident which caused extensive damage to the right-front of the GoDaddy.com Chevy. The team made repairs, including rebuilding and attaching a new right-front fender. Martin then battled back to finish 13th.
POLE SITTER
Martin earned his 51st Sprint Cup Series pole at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway last month. Of those 51 poles, Martin has earned one at PIR in April 2009.
CHASSIS CHOICE
Crew chief Lance McGrew has chosen Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 5-695 for this Sunday’s race at PIR. This is the same chassis Martin drove at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in September.
HENDRICK AT PHOENIX
Jeff Gordon won most recently at the one-mile oval, going to Victory Lane for Hendrick Motorsports in February. In 30 races (107 starts) at Phoenix, Hendrick has nine wins, 31 top-five finishes and 55 top-10s.
APPROACHING 200
With Jimmie Johnson’s win on Oct. 9 at Kansas Speedway, Hendrick Motorsports has earned 199 Cup victories. The organization ranks first in NASCAR’s modern era for wins and second all-time behind Petty Enterprises, which has 268 victories.
QUOTES
MARK MARTIN, DRIVER, NO. 5 GODADDY.COM CHEVROLET (ON RETURNING TO PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY)
“I’m really excited to get out to Phoenix. It’s going to be an interesting weekend because the track is new to everyone. Throw out the old notes and setups. When we tested there earlier this year, our GoDaddy.com Chevrolet was really, really good. I wish we would’ve raced that day, that’s how good it was. I’m anxious to get there, get a few more laps on the track and see what we can get at race time. I’ve got two races left with this Hendrick team, and I really want to go for a win and show everyone what a good group of guys I’ve been working with.”
Team Chevy From The Driver's Seat - Mark Martin - Kobalt Tools 500
November 9, 2011
MARK MARTIN, NO. 5 GODADDY.COM CHEVROLET - 21ST IN STANDINGS
“I’m really excited to get out to Phoenix. It’s going to be an interesting weekend because the track is new to everyone. Throw out the old notes and setups. When we tested there earlier this year, our GoDaddy.com Chevrolet was really, really good. I wish we would’ve raced that day, that’s how good it was. I’m anxious to get there, get a few more laps on the track and see what we can get at race time. I’ve got two races left with this Hendrick team and I really want to go for a win and show everyone what a good group of guys I’ve been working with.”
Mark Martin NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Preview - AAA Texas 500
Hendrick Motorsports
November 2, 2011
CARQUEST
CARQUEST Auto Parts, a major partner with the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet since 2005, will be back on the hood this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway for its eighth and final NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race of the season.
ONCE A COWBOY
Mark Martin, driver of the No. 5 CARQUEST Auto Parts/GoDaddy.com Chevrolet, wore the famed cowboy hat in Victory Lane at Texas Motor Speedway on April 5, 1998. Martin started seventh and led 37 laps, earning his second of seven NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins that season.
MARTIN AT TEXAS
Along with his 1998 victory at Texas, Martin has earned seven top-five finishes and 12 top-10s in 21 career starts. He’s led a total of 208 laps at the Lone Star track and has a 13.5 average finish.
LOOP STATS
According to NASCAR’s loop data statistics, Martin is tied with Tony Stewart for the fifth-best average finish - 12.7 - in the last 13 races at Texas Motor Speedway.
POLE SITTER
Texas Motor Speedway is one of only seven active tracks where Martin has not yet started from the pole position. Martin earned his 51st career pole at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway last month.
CHASSIS CHOICE
Crew chief Lance McGrew has chosen Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 5-625 for Sunday’s race in Texas. This is the same chassis Martin drove to a 12th-place finish at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway in March, a runner-up finish at Dover (Del.) International Speedway in May and 18th-place result at Pocono Raceway in June.
HENDRICK AT TEXAS
In 21 races (85 starts) at Texas, Hendrick Motorsports has three wins, 20 top-five finishes and 34 top-10s. Martin ranks tied for second with seven top-five finishes at the 1.5-mile track along with teammates Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. Martin and Johnson also rank tied for first with12 top-10s there.
APPROACHING 200
With Johnson’s win on Oct. 9 at Kansas Speedway, Hendrick Motorsports has earned 199 Cup victories. The organization ranks first in NASCAR’s modern era for wins and second all-time behind Petty Enterprises, which has 268 victories.
QUOTES
MARK MARTIN, DRIVER, NO. 5 CARQUEST AUTO PARTS/GODADDY.COM CHEVROLET (ON RETURNING TO TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY)
“When we were at Texas earlier this year, we really struggled. We just couldn’t get the handling right and then ended up in a big wreck toward the end of the race. Since then, though, I think we’ve got our intermediate program headed in the right direction. The last few races have been really hard for us with unfortunate accidents at Martinsville (Va.) and Talladega (Ala.) and a part failure at Charlotte (N.C.). We need a good weekend.”
Team Chevy From The Driver's Seat - Mark Martin - AAA Texas 500
November 2, 2011
MARK MARTIN, NO. 5 CARQUEST/GODADDY.COM CHEVROLET - 20TH IN STANDINGS
“When we were at Texas earlier this year, we really struggled. We just couldn’t get the handling right and then ended up in a big wreck toward the end of the race. Since then, though, I think we’ve got our intermediate program headed in the right direction. The last few races have been really hard for us with unfortunate accidents at Martinsville and Talladega and a part failure at Charlotte. We need a good weekend.”
Team Chevy From The Driver's Seat - Mark Martin - Tums Fast Relief 500
October 25, 2011
MARK MARTIN, NO. 5 CARQUEST/GODADDY.COM CHEVROLET - 19TH IN STANDINGS
“I love going back to these old-school tracks that NASCAR has been racing on forever. They just fit me. The atmosphere at Martinsville is a little more laid back and the short-track style of racing is a lot like a lot of us drivers grew up doing. Brakes are the most important component at Martinsville. You can burn them up fast and easy if you’re not careful. If you can keep your car clean, have a little bit of patience and be able to hug that bottom line, you’re going to have a pretty good day.”
Pole winner MArk Martin climbs from his car. NASCAR Sprint Cup Good Sam 500 qualifying at Talladega Superspeedway Friday October 22, 2011. (The Birmingham News/Joe Songer).
Mark Martin wins the pole at Talladega Superspeedway
By Doug Demmons
al.com - The Birmingham News
October 22, 2011
TALLADEGA, Alabama -- The last time Mark Martin won a pole at Talladega Superspeedway was during the first Bush Administration.
It was 1989 and NASCAR had just started using restrictor plates at Talladega and Daytona when Martin swept the poles at both races.
On Saturday, Martin won his third career pole at Talladega, topping the charts at 181.367 mph.
It had been so long since Martin won a pole at Talladega that he walked directly into the media center to be interviewed instead of going to Victory Lane for pictures.
Martin, who has been vocal in the past about disliking racing at Talladega, said he enjoys the two-car tandem style of racing.
"Personally I think it's better racing," he said. "I may be in the minority."
And he's also looking forward to working with drafting partner Jeff Gordon during Sunday's race.
"He's got a rocket ship and I've got a rocket ship," Martin said. Gordon, who won the pole for the spring race, will start fifth.
Martin and Gordon drafted together during the spring race at Talladega, a race Martin thought they had in the bag as they came to the last lap.
"I thought we were gone," Martin said of how they took the lead on the last lap. The race ended up tying the closest finish in NASCAR history with Jimmie Johnson winning.
Johnson will start second. His drafting partner, Dale Earnhardt Jr., will start sixth, giving Hendrick Motorsports four of the top six starting positions.
Clint Bowyer is third and Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne starts fourth in the only Ford in the top seven.
Martin, who has two wins at Talladega in 1995 and 1997, is finishing up his last year at Hendrick and has yet to win a race this season, but hasn't lifted off his competitive throttle.
"Someone asked me about the pole earlier and I said, 'Yes sir, we're going for it.'" Martin said. "It's a competition and we try to win every competition.
"This is still for pride and I'm very proud of my race team," he said.
Martin said he still plans to race next year but hasn't firmed up any deals yet. He said he might race full time in the Truck Series but he'd like a part-time Sprint Cup schedule.
"That's where my heart is at," he said. "I'm confident I'll be racing."
Johnson, who badly needs a top finish to stay in the hunt for a sixth straight championship, was asked about his crew chief's comment at the end of the spring race that the No. 48 team owed one to Earnhardt for pushing them to victory.
"I do remember Chad (Knaus) saying that," Johnson said, "and believe me, Junior Nation hasn't forgotten that Chad said that."
He said that who is pushing whom at the finish on Sunday will likely be determined by which car works best as the pusher and which works best as the pushee.
"If we can't win the race we certainly want him to," Johnson said of Junior.
But all that really matters, he said, is to "be in the picture at the finish."
Bowyer, who won the fall race last year, was on the short end of that closest finish in history in April with his second place.
Bowyer said that getting separated from his drafting partner just before the stripe made the difference. At that point of the race, he said, it wouldn't have paid off to drag the brake to stay hooked up with the pushing car.
"Hopefully we can beat that closest finish in history and win it this time," Bowyer said.
Among other Chase drivers, Carl Edwards is ninth. Tenth through 14th are Ryan Newman, Matt Kenseth, Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch.
Brad Keselowski is 16th. Denny Hamlin will start 31st and Kyle Busch is 34th.
Four drivers failed to qualify: Geoff Bodine, Scott Speed, T.J. Bell and Josh Wise.
Mark Martin Post Qualifying Quotes - Good Sam Club 500
October 22, 2011
MARK MARTIN, NO. 5 GODADDY.COM CHEVROLET - POLE WINNER
“Well, it’s all about the guys, you know. We won a pole at Daytona with this thing; these guys have the speedway car figured out. Back in the day if you were the fastest car, you had a big advantage come race time. But it doesn’t make that much difference now. Somebody asked about it yesterday and it’s a competition. And we intend to try to win every competition they have and today is a small competition and we are giving it our best shot.
THAT PYLON SHOWS HOW LUCKY YOU ARE TO HAVE THE PEOPLE YOU DO WORKING BEHIND YOU, DOESN’T IT?
“It does because I didn’t have anything to do with that today. These guys got the Daytona July race poll too. But they’ve got these speedway cars figured out; all the guys on the Godaddy.com Chevy do. So anyway, it’s all good. They do a great job.”
Mark Martin NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Preview - Good Sam Club 500
Hendrick Motorsports
October 19, 2011
TALLADEGA WINNER
Mark Martin, driver of the No. 5 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet, is a two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup race winner at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. In April 1995, he started third and edged current teammate Jeff Gordon for the win. Two years later, Martin started 18th and beat Dale Earnhardt across the line. Martin also has 11 top-five finishes and 24 top-10s at the 2.66-mile track.
MOST RECENTLY
In April, Martin qualified third for the Sprint Cup race at Talladega. He partnered with Gordon, pushing him to a third-place finish. Martin crossed the line eighth.
SUPERSPEEDWAY NOTES
Martin has made 100 total career superspeedway starts in Sprint Cup competition at Talladega and Daytona (Fla.) International Speedways. The veteran driver has earned a combined two wins-both at Talladega-20 top-five finishes and 42 top-10s. He has completed 16,103 laps between the two tracks and has led 597 of those.
TALLADEGA VS. DAYTONA
Between NASCAR’s two restrictor-plate tracks, Martin is more successful at Talladega. Both of his superspeedway wins have occurred at the Alabama racetrack. He has 11 top-five finishes at Talladega, two more than at Daytona, and six more top 10s with 24. He’s led 55 more laps at Talladega, even though he has six fewer starts there than at Daytona.
POLE SITTER
Of Martin’s 50 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series pole positions, two of them were earned at Talladega. Martin posted back-to-back poles at Talladega in 1989. Most recently, Martin scored the pole position at Daytona’s restrictor-plate event in July.
CHASSIS CHOICE
Crew chief Lance McGrew has chosen Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 5-632 for Sunday’s race at Talladega. This is the same chassis Martin has driven in all three of the restrictor-plate events held so far this season, earning two top-10 finishes - eighth, most recently, at Talladega and 10th in the season-opening Daytona 500.
HENDRICK AT TALLADEGA
In 55 events (174 starts) at Talladega, Hendrick Motorsports has 11 wins, 45 top-five finishes and 67 top-10s. Most recently, Earnhardt pushed Jimmie Johnson to Victory Lane in the April 2011 race. Johnson matched the closest margin of victory recorded -.002 seconds - since the use of electronic scoring.
SUPERSPEEDWAY POWER
A Hendrick Motorsports driver has sat on the pole position in the three superspeedway races held so far this season. At Daytona, Earnhardt started from the pole alongside Jeff Gordon. Gordon earned the pole at Talladega in April and led the field to green with Johnson on the outside pole. Most recently, Mark Martin led the field to green at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway in July.
TOP FOUR
In April, Hendrick Motorsports drivers lined up in the top four spots for the 188-lap Talladega event. Gordon was first, Johnson second, Martin third and Earnhardt fourth. The teammates crossed the finish line in the top eight.
APPROACHING 200
With Johnson’s win on Oct. 9 at Kansas Speedway, Hendrick Motorsports has earned 199 Cup victories. The organization ranks first in NASCAR’s modern era for wins and second all-time behind Petty Enterprises, which has 268 victories.
QUOTES
MARK MARTIN, DRIVER, NO. 5 GODADDY.COM CHEVROLET (ON THE CHANGES HE EXPECTS IN THIS RACE)
“I know NASCAR made some rule changes for this race, and I’m anxious to see how it affects the way we’ve been racing on these restrictor-plate tracks this year. I’m a big fan of the two-by-two racing. I like it a lot better than those huge packs that we used to race in. There’s a whole new element to this style-working specifically with another driver and having a plan in place-than what we did in the big packs. It’s intense. That may go away a little with this new package, but we’ll have to see after we get on the track and get some practice laps in.”
LANCE McGREW, CREW CHIEF, NO. 5 GODADDY.COM CHEVROLET (ON THE NASCAR RULE CHANGES IMPLEMENTED FOR THIS RACE)
“I think the changes are going to make the two-car draft a little more difficult, but I don’t think they’ll stop the style of racing completely. Drivers are going to have to adjust how they draft. The pusher may have to step out a little more to get more air into the radiator and keep it cool. The truth is, two-car drafting is the fastest way around the speedway. No one will want to give up that advantage. We’ll all be working on finding ways to keep the speed with the new package.”
Team Chevy From The Driver's Seat - Mark Martin - Good Sam Club 500
October 19, 2011
MARK MARTIN, NO. 5 GODADDY.COM CHEVROLET - 20TH IN STANDINGS
“I know NASCAR made some rule changes for this race, and I’m anxious to see how it affects the way we’ve been racing on these restrictor-plate tracks this year. I’m a big fan of the two-by-two racing. I like it a lot better than those huge packs that we used to race in. There’s a whole new element to this style - working specifically with another driver and having a plan in place - than what we did in the big packs It’s intense. That may go away a little with this new package, but we’ll have to see after we get on the track and get some practice laps in.”
Mark Martin NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Preview - Bank of America 500
Hendrick Motorsports
October 11, 2011
100 YEARS OF CHEVY
All four Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolets will carry special paint schemes at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway this weekend to honor Chevrolet’s 100th-year anniversary. Mark Martin’s No. 5 GoDaddy.com/Chevy 100th Anniversary Chevrolet will feature a special silver-and-green paint scheme with the Chevy 100-Year anniversary logo on the nose and rear of the car.
IN A CHEVY
Martin, driver of the No. 5 GoDaddy.com/Chevy 100th Anniversary Chevrolet, has scored five of his 40 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins in a Chevrolet - all with Hendrick Motorsports during the 2009 season.
CHEVY RUNS DEEP
Chevrolet clinched its 35th Sprint Cup manufacturer championship Sunday after Jimmie Johnson won at Kansas Speedway. Chevrolet has played a role in each of Hendrick Motorsports’ Cup victories, and Hendrick has contributed five of Team Chevy’s 14 wins this season.
MOST STARTS
Martin will make his 54th career Sprint Cup start on Saturday at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the most for him at any track on the NASCAR circuit. The 52-year-old has earned four wins, 18 top-five finishes and 23 top-10s at the intermediate track. He has raced more miles-25,599-at Charlotte than any other track and has led 1,183 laps (1,774.5 miles), which is the third-most for the NASCAR veteran at any track on the circuit.
STAT STAR
Martin’s 29 lead-lap finishes at Charlotte are the most for any driver there. He also leads all active drivers in top-five finishes (18) and in top-10 finishes (23) at the 1.5-mile track.
LOOP STATISTICS
Martin has the fourth-best average running position - 12.67- of all Sprint Cup competitors in the last 13 races at Charlotte. His driver rating of 89.7 is the sixth-best. He has spent 3,197 laps of a possible 4,638 running inside the top 15, which ranks as the third-most of any driver in that timeframe.
POLE SITTER
Of Martin’s 50 Sprint Cup pole positions, two of them were earned at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Martin posted back-to-back poles at Charlotte in 1991.
CHASSIS CHOICE
Crew chief Lance McGrew has chosen Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 5-685 for Saturday’s race. This is the same chassis that Martin drove to a 17th-place finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway last month.
FAMILY AFFAIR
Charlotte Motor Speedway has invited family members of each driver to participate in driver introductions for Saturday’s race. Matt, Martin’s son, will formally introduce his father on stage during the pre-race festivities. Matt, a former driver himself, now works as a physical trainer at Hendrick Motorsports.
HENDRICK AT CHARLOTTE
In 55 events (183 starts) at Charlotte, Hendrick Motorsports has 16 wins, 49 top-five finishes and 75 top-10s at the 1.5-mile racetrack. The team has led 3,828 laps there. Johnson most recently won this race from the pole position in October 2009.
APPROACHING 200
With Johnson’s win on Oct. 9 at Kansas Speedway, Hendrick Motorsports has earned 199 Cup victories. The organization ranks first in NASCAR’s modern era for wins and second all-time behind Petty Enterprises, which has 268 victories.
QUOTES
MARK MARTIN, DRIVER, NO. 5 GODADDY.COM/CHEVY 100TH ANNIVERSARY CHEVROLET (ON RACING AT CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY)
“This is my absolute favorite track we race on. There’s so much room to race here. Provides for a lot of passing, and hopefully a lot of excitement for the fans. I’ve felt comfortable racing here since the first time I was here in 1982. It’s big, but it races like a short, high-banked quarter-mile track that I was used to running back home in the Midwest.”
MARTIN (ON CHEVROLET)
“Chevrolet has been a great partner for the last three years that I’ve been with Hendrick Motorsports. They’re so supportive of their race teams and their drivers. They welcomed me instantly. To help celebrate their 100-year anniversary is pretty cool. And to be a part of their 35th manufacturer’s championship is awesome. I’m proud to say that I won in a Chevrolet and contributed to their racing history.”
Team Chevy From The Driver's Seat - Mark Martin - Bank of America 500
October 11, 2011
MARK MARTIN, NO. 5 GODADDY.COM/CHEVY 100TH ANNIVERSARY CHEVROLET - 17TH IN STANDINGS
“This (Charlotte Motor Speedway) is my absolute favorite track we race on. There’s so much room to race here. Provides for a lot of passing, and hopefully a lot of excitement for the fans. I’ve felt comfortable racing here since the first time I was here in 1982. It’s big, but it races like a short, high-banked quarter-mile track that I was used to running back home in the Midwest. Chevrolet has been a great partner for the last three years that I’ve been with Hendrick Motorsports. They’re so supportive of their race teams and their drivers. They welcomed me instantly. To help celebrate their 100-year anniversary is pretty cool. And to be a part of their 35th manufacturer’s championship is awesome. I’m proud to say that I won in a Chevrolet and contributed to their racing history.”
Team Chevy From The Driver's Seat - Mark Martin - Hollywood Casino 400
October 4, 2011
MARK MARTIN, NO. 5 CARQUEST/GODADDY.COM CHEVROLET - 16TH IN STANDINGS
“The best thing to me about going to Kansas is that it’s real close to Batesville, Ark. I have a lot of fans that make the drive up there to support me and this team and that means a lot to me. I feel like our intermediate program is getting better and better. We’ve gotten top-10s in two of our last three intermediate races. Hopefully we can give them a show this weekend and get a good finish out of it.”
Mark Martin - Photo by: Gary Buchanan
Mark Martin Ever Humble, Always Blessed
By Mary Jo Buchanan
SpeedwayMedia.com
September 30, 2011
Mark Martin, currently behind the wheel of the No. 5 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, has had one of the most storied careers in NASCAR, including 40 wins, 266 top-fives, 437 top-tens, and 50 poles to date.
And yet, the driver whose career has spanned almost thirty years racing a stock car at the Cup level, remains ever humble, as well as considering himself very blessed.
Martin, as one would expect, humbly credits one person, team owner Jack Roush, as being the most influential person throughout his racing career.
“I spent nineteen years with him,” Martin said of his mentor and team owner Roush. “He was someone that was wiser and more experienced in many ways than I was.”
“He was more experienced in life,” Martin continued. “So, that one is easy to answer.”
In fact, Martin’s most memorable car, one that he hopes may one day accompany him to the Hall of Fame, is that No. 6 car that he drove for his mentor Jack Roush.
“The No. 6 car is most representative of my career,” Martin said. “That and my time with Jack Roush.”
“That’s the core and foundation of my career.”
In addition to Jack Roush, Martin credits having chemistry with his various teams over the years as another key to his success. And according to Martin, it all starts with the relationship between driver and crew chief.
“I believe in team chemistry,” Martin said emphatically. “It’s sort of intangible. But it does help spawn better results.”
“It’s the whole team but it really starts with the crew chief,” Martin said. “It’s like a number of other things in life, like a relationship or a marriage or anything else.”
“There are good ones and there are bad ones and there’s all in between,” Martin continued. “You have to work hard on it but the very best ones require no effort.”
As effortless as it might seem, Martin said that team chemistry cannot be forced, an experience that he has had several times throughout his career.
“It’s not something that you can force to happen,” Martin said. “It just does.”
“It happens or it doesn’t or it falls somewhere in between,” Martin continued. “I’ve had a lot of that.”
“I’ve been very fortunate to have been in very few poor situations, “Martin said. “I’ve been in a lot of great situations and I’ve been really, really blessed.”
Although Martin has been credited as a mentor to many throughout his racing tenure, he humbly declines to discuss even one of those that he has helped in their career development.
“I haven’t had the kind of influence on young people that people give me credit for,” Martin said humbly. “I certainly don’t take credit for that.”
While Martin has seen competitors come and go throughout his years on the track, he acknowledged only one change in competition as the most significant in the sport.
“The number of competitive cars and the discrepancy between the slow and the fast cars is the most competitive change I have seen,” Martin said. “This has changed the face of NASCAR racing forever.”
Is the veteran driver bothered by all the talk of late of fuel mileage and its place in the competition of the sport? For Martin, the fuel mileage discussion is all about ‘been there, done that.’
“It’s not new by any means,” Martin said. “I feel like I’ve lost probably forty races to fuel mileage in my career. So, certainly, it’s not new.”
“We might have went through a spell where we had less of it then we used to and now we’re having more than we used to,” Martin continued. “Some of that is just coincidence.”
“I don’t think it’s bad for the sport because you don’t know who is going to win until the leader comes off Turn Four,” Martin said. “Isn’t that the whole appeal of racing?”
“I wouldn’t want to see it ever leave because I think it brings drama to our sport.”
Martin himself is no stranger to the drama that stock car racing often entails. While he has experienced his share of the low points, he also has had many memorable moments.
“Winning Phoenix in the No. 5 car was my most memorable moment,” Martin said. “It was pretty incredible.”
Martin, 50 years old at the time, started the 2009 Phoenix Subway Fresh Fit 500 from the pole and never looked back. With that win, Martin became the fourth driver to win a Cup race after turning 50, joining the ranks of Bobby Allison, Morgan Shepherd and Harry Gant.
That victory snapped a 97-race winless streak that went all the way back to 2005. After the win, Martin paid tribute to one of his dear friends Alan Kulwicki by doing the ‘Polish Victory Lap’.
“I don’t have words to describe it because I never thought I’d win again,” Martin said humbly. “And I think most of the competitors thought so too. They all seemed to receive it really well.”
“It was a big win,” Martin continued. “I didn’t know if I’d ever get to experience that feeling again.”
One of the feelings that Martin experiences over and over again is the adoration of his large fan base. And without a doubt, his most memorable moments with his fan posse are the interactions he has with them during his annual fan appreciation event in Batesville, Arkansas.
“I’ve been incredibly blessed with support and a lot of fans with a lot of love,” Martin said.
“My favorite part of my fan event is the Q&A,” Martin continued. “That’s the part when you get the one and one and the personalities come out. The people get to ask what they really want to know.”
“And they get answers from somebody in a peaceful setting so there is no pressure, time pressures or limitations.”
That peaceful setting is another one of the goals that Martin has been continually seeking, both on and off the track. He also has been practicing the art of trying more diligently to balance his career with his home and family life.
“I’ve got some experience at it,” Martin said of his work/life balancing act. “Through the middle stages of my NASCAR career, I didn’t manage it as well as I needed to.”
“I worked really, really hard and gave everything that I had and the problem I had was that I brought home my frustrations, disappointments and pressures,” Martin continued. “That affected the vibe around me.”
“And I hated that,” Martin said. “I thought it was just because I was extremely intense.”
“But I’m still extremely intense and I do a better job of isolating my personal life.”
Of all of the many experiences throughout his career, the ever humble Martin struggles to single out one that he would like to do over.
“I don’t do those things,” Martin said. “I’m not into it. It’s not me.”
“There are too many great experiences in life to say one tops it all.”
Team Chevy From The Driver's Seat - Mark Martin - AAA 400
September 27, 2011
MARK MARTIN, NO. 5 GODADDY.COM CHEVROLET - 16TH IN STANDINGS
“I love this racetrack (Dover). And, honestly, I’m not a big fan of concrete tracks, but there’s not much they could do to make me not like Dover. The racing is always tight, and I think you’ll see even more of that this Sunday. The fans are so close to the track, and they really get excited. It’s a great atmosphere. A great racetrack and definitely a race that all NASCAR fans should go to. We’re definitely heading in the right direction (after team’s recent performance). It was a shame that we had that right-front tire go down at New Hampshire. The guys did everything right that day. Great pit calls. Great pit stops. We led a lot of laps. There’s just nothing you can do about a tire going down. Our cars are faster. We’re running in the front more. This is exactly the way we need to be racing.”
Team Chevy From The Driver's Seat - Mark Martin - Sylvania 300
September 21, 2011
MARK MARTIN, NO. 5 GODADDY.COM CHEVROLET - 16TH IN STANDINGS
“I’ve felt since mid-season that we were figuring some things out. At Indy we had a great run and would’ve battled for the win if we just had a little more fuel. This team is really good. More so than we’ve shown. And they’re capable of good things. We’re putting our nose down right now and really working hard and its showing. We had a good run at Richmond last week and another one at Chicago. Hopefully we can continue to build on that.”
Mark Martin NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Preview - Geico 400
Hendrick Motorsports
September 14, 2011
PAST WINNER
Mark Martin, driver of the No. 5 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet, earned his fourth win of the 2009 season at Chicagoland Speedway. Martin, who finished the season with five victories, started that race 14th and led 73 percent of the event (195 laps of 267 total). It was his first win at the track.
2009 DOMINATION
Martin dominated the 2009 Chicagoland race and earned a 145.6 driver rating, out of a possible 150. Martin had an average running position of second during the race and led all drivers in laps led with 195 total. He turned 63 of the fastest laps run in the 267-lap event, more than any other driver.
LOOP STATISTICS
Martin has the sixth-best average finish - 12.5 - and the seventh-best average start - 14th - of all NASCAR Sprint Cup competitors in the last six races at Chicagoland Speedway. In those same six races, he has posted the eighth-best driver rating, with a score of 91.2. He also has led 196 laps in those six races, the third-most of any driver.
CHICAGOLAND HISTORY
Counting Martin’s 2009 win, he has earned one top-five finish and four top-10s in 10 races at the intermediate track. He’s led 239 laps during those 10 races and has finished every Cup race he’s started there. Overall, Martin has completed all but three laps in his Cup career at the 1.5-mile racetrack (99.9 percent).
POLE MAN
Although Martin has earned 50 pole positions in his Sprint Cup career, he never has started from the top spot at Chicagoland Speedway. Martin earned his highest-starting position at the track - fourth - in 2007.
CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
Martin and the GoDaddy.com team did not qualify for the 2011 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, however, the team has climbed six positions in the standings in the last two races. Martin now ranks 16th and sits 37 points behind 13th.
CHASSIS CHOICE
Crew chief Lance McGrew has chosen Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 5-679 for Sunday’s race at Chicagoland Speedway. This is the same chassis Martin drove to an eighth-place finish at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July.
NEW TEAM MEMBER
Kevin Harris, of Sanford, Fla., joins the GoDaddy.com team this Sunday as the new front-tire carrier. His addition means a slight shuffle in the No. 5 team lineup, as Ben Fischbeck will move from his previous position as front-tire carrier to become the rear-tire carrier. Harris replaces former rear-tire carrier Matt Myers, who has chosen to focus on his successful oil drilling business.
HENDRICK AT CHICAGOLAND
In 10 races (42 Cup starts) at Chicagoland, Hendrick Motorsports has two wins, 15 top-five finishes and 19 top-10s. Jeff Gordon, who earned Hendrick Motorsports’ first Cup win at the racetrack in 2006, leads all drivers there with an average finish of 8.6.
BOWTIE BONANZA
Martin won the most recent Cup event at Chicagoland for both Hendrick Motorsports and Chevrolet when he went to Victory Lane in July 2009. A Chevrolet has won seven of the 10 Cup events that have been held at the 1.5-mile racetrack.
APPROACHING 200
With Gordon’s win on Sept. 6 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hendrick Motorsports has earned 198 Cup victories. The organization ranks first in NASCAR’s modern era for wins and second all-time behind Petty Enterprises, which has 268 victories.
QUOTES
MARK MARTIN, DRIVER, NO. 5 GODADDY.COM CHEVROLET (ON HIS 2009 CHICAGOLAND SPEEDWAY WIN)
“That was such an incredible night. A nearly perfect night. The restarts there at the end, with Jeff (Gordon) were intense. I had to take his groove away from him and pick the outside lane, even though I didn’t want to. It worked out for us, though. We were so good all weekend. It was Rick’s (Hendrick) birthday the following day too, so it was kind of an early birthday present for him. The momentum the (No.) 5 team had at that point was just incredible. One of the most fun nights I’ve had for sure.”
MARTIN (ON NOT QUALIFYING FOR THE CHASE)
“We’ve known for the past couple of races that it was going to be a long shot, so it wasn’t a big surprise after Richmond (Va.) that we weren’t in. We’re concentrating solely on wins. That’s all that racing used to be about—the win. And I like that. I like thinking one race at a time and not searching for point scenarios. Hopefully we can all take a deep breath and get us a win or two before the season ends.”
Team Chevy From The Driver's Seat - Mark Martin - Geico 400
September 14, 2011
MARK MARTIN, NO. 5 GODADDY.COM CHEVROLET - 16TH IN STANDINGS
“That was such an incredible night (2009 win at Chicagoland). A nearly perfect night. The restarts there at the end, with Jeff (Gordon) were intense. I had to take his groove away from him and pick the outside lane, even though I didn’t want to. It worked out for us, though. We were so good all weekend. It was Rick’s (Hendrick) birthday the following day too, so it was kind of an early birthday present for him. The momentum the (No.) 5 team had at that point was just incredible. One of the most fun nights I’ve had for sure. We’ve known for the past couple of races that it (making the Chase) was going to be a long shot, so it wasn’t a big surprise after Richmond (Va.) that we weren’t in. We’re concentrating solely on wins. That’s all that racing used to be about—the win. And I like that. I like thinking one race at a time and not searching for point scenarios. Hopefully we can all take a deep breath and get us a win or two before the season ends.”
Team Chevy From The Driver's Seat - Mark Martin - Wonderful Pistachios 400
September 7, 2011
MARK MARTIN, NO. 5 QUAKER STATE/GODADDY.COM CHEVROLET - 19TH IN STANDINGS
“I don’t think there are too many drivers you’ll ask about Richmond that will say they don’t like it. It’s a favorite of everyone’s. Night racing is always fun for us; it takes us all back to our roots. And when you’re out there doing it on a track like Richmond that has a lot of passing and side-by-side racing, it’s even more fun. It’s definitely a track that race fans need to go and see in person. It’s always exciting.”
Team Chevy From The Driver's Seat - Mark Martin - AdvoCare 500
MARK MARTIN, NO. 5 CARQUEST AUTO PARTS/GODADDY.COM CHEVROLET - 19TH IN STANDINGS
“With only having one race at Atlanta this year, it makes me more excited to get there this weekend. The racing is just so intense at Atlanta. It’s one of my favorite tracks for that reason. There are multiple grooves, and it’s usually clean, side-by-side racing. Lots of passing. It actually races a lot like a short track, but on a much bigger level, of course. Qualifying is wide-open, hold-your-breath-for-one-lap crazy. It’s a good time, and if you’ve got a fast race car it’s really fun.”
Team Chevy From The Driver's Seat - Mark Martin - Irwin Tools Night Race
August 23, 2011
MARK MARTIN, NO. 5 FARMERS INSURANCE/GODADDY.COM CHEVROLET - 16TH IN STANDINGS
“Bristol is one of those races that you can’t really go into it feeling like you have a whole of control. It’s been better since the repave with fewer accidents and it seems like the handling of the car means a whole lot more. With so many drivers fighting for that wildcard spot and for those bonus points going into the Chase, I think there will be riskier moves trying to get to the front and into the lead. It could be a little crazier this time around. We have to win. No other way to do it, really. With Denny’s (Hamlin) bad day at Michigan, that put the Chase in much closer reach, but not enough to do it with just good finishes like we had on Sunday. We have to win. We have three shots left and we’re going to do everything we can to make it happen. But, there are a lot of other teams out there in the same position we are. It’s going to be tough.”
Team Chevy From The Driver's Seat - Pure Michigan 400
Team Chevy
MARK MARTIN, NO. 5 CARQUEST AUTO PARTS/GODADDY.COM CHEVROLET – 18TH IN STANDINGS
ON MICHIGAN INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
“I really, really like running at Michigan, not just because it’s so fast, but it’s so wide. We can race all over the track. I’ve been lucky at Michigan, and I’ve been just plain good. I’ve gotten a lot of wins there. Last time we raced there, we were pretty good. We fought a loose-handling car, but Lance (McGrew, crew chief) and the guys made a lot of good adjustments, and we got up there in the top 10. I thought that was a big day for us and our intermediate program. We’ve got to build on what we learned in that race and try to do even better this time around.”
Mark Martin NCWTS Race Preview - VFW 200
Turner Motorsports
No. 32 Exide Batteries Chevrolet
Welcome Back Mark:
Mark Martin is set to make his second NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) start of the season as driver of the No. 32 Exide Batteries Chevy Silverado. In his last outing with the team at Pocono Raceway, Martin qualified fifth and brought his No. 32 Chevy home to a seventh-place finish. Earlier this season he made four starts with Turner Motorsports in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, earning the organization its first NASCAR win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March. In addition to his win, he captured three top-10 finishes.
Kickin’ It Old School:
The date was September 26th, 1996; The Macarena was the No. 1 song on the Billboard Charts, The First Wives Club was the No. 1 movie at the box office, Bill Clinton was President and Mark Martin claimed his first NCWTS victory along with Exide Batteries.This weekend at Michigan International Speedway,Martin and Exide Batteries are going back in the day with a special “old school” paint scheme. The Silverado will feature the pink, blue and black colors that were a prominent fixture in NASCAR in the 90s. Martin made his NCWTS debut with Exide, visiting victory lane in his second start with the battery company on board at North Wilkesboro Speedway. He started second, led 29 laps and went on to win the 250-lap event at the historic speedway.
Truck Stats in the Irish Hills:
This weekend’s NCWTS event will mark Martin’s third NCWTS start at MIS. He has logged one top-five finish, has an average start of 5.5 and an average finish of 17.5.
Start No. 25 in the Trucks:
This Saturday will be Martin’s 25th NCWTS career start. Over the years, Martin has logged 24 NCWTS career starts earning three poles, seven wins, 16 top-five and 20 top-10 finishes. He has led 830 laps, and has an average start of 7.1 and average finish of 7.1.
At Two+-Mile Speedways:
Martin has made seven starts in the NCWTS on speedways that are two miles or more in size. In these seven starts, he’s notched three wins (Daytona International Speedway, Auto Club Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway), two poles, four top-five and five top-10 finishes. He’s also led 255 of 604 laps, has an average starting spot of 4.1 and average finish of 9.7.
This Week’s Silverado:
The No. 32 Exide Batteries Chevrolet Silverado team will unload chassis TMS-204 for Saturday afternoon’s 200-mile event. This chassis saw track time at Pocono Raceway, where Martin qualified fifth and brought home a seventh-place finish for the No. 32 Turner Motorsports team.
Exide Technologies:
With operations in more than 80 countries, is one of the world’s largest producers and recyclers of lead-acid batteries. The Company’s four global business groups — Transportation Americas, Transportation Europe and Rest of World, Industrial Energy Americas and Industrial Energy Europe and Rest of World — provide a comprehensive range of stored electrical energy products and services for industrial and transportation applications.
Mark Martin on Reuniting with Exide Batteries:
“Exide Batteries was on my truck back in the Roush days. They were actually on my truck in 1996 when I won my first Truck Series race. They’re a great sponsor. They’ve been in the sport for a long time and I appreciate that. I’m hoping we can give them a good run on Saturday.”
Mark Martin on Michigan International Speedway:
“I really, really like running at Michigan, not just because it’s so fast, but it’s so wide and we can race all over the track. I’ve been lucky at Michigan and I’ve been just plain good. I’ve gotten a lot of wins there. The last win was a fuel-mileage win and we took it on the backstretch of the last lap. I loved it. I haven’t been able to win there yet in a truck, but I’m hoping that changes this weekend with Turner Motorsports.”
Mark Martin NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Preview - Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at the Glen
Hendrick Motorsports
August 10, 2011
MOST STARTS
Mark Martin, driver of the No. 5 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet, will make his 22nd start at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International road course on Sunday. After he lines up for the 90-lap event, Martin and Michael Waltrip will be tied as the drivers with the most NASCAR starts at the track.
GOING FOR FOUR
Martin is a three-time winner at Watkins Glen International, and he’s reached Victory Lane from the pole position each time, collecting wins in 1993, 1994 and 1995. He led the most laps in each race and combined to pace 183 circuits during those three victories.
MARTIN AT THE GLEN
In 21 Sprint Cup Series starts at the upstate New York road course, Martin has earned three victories, three pole positions, 12 top-five finishes and 16 top-10s. He has led 206 laps and has completed all but four of the 1,853 laps he’s attempted. He holds an average start of 9.8 and average finish of 8.3 there—his best average finish at any track on the Sprint Cup circuit.
TRACK BESTS
Martin’s 12 top-five finishes and 16 top-10s rank as the most all-time for any Cup driver at the 2.45-mile road course. Martin’s three pole positions tie him with the late Dale Earnhardt Sr. for most all-time at the racetrack. Martin has finished every race he’s started at Watkins Glen, and he leads the competition as the driver with the most starts and least DNFs at the road course.
TOTAL ROAD COURSE EXPERIENCE
In his 29-year Sprint Cup career, Martin has competed in a total of 46 road course events-21 at Infineon Raceway, 21 at Watkins Glen and four at now-defunct Riverside (Calif.) International Raceway. In those 46 starts, he has earned four victories, scoring each from the pole position. He also has recorded a combined 20 top-five finishes and 32 top-10s. He has led 367 laps combined at the three tracks.
CHASSIS CHOICE
Crew chief Lance McGrew has chosen Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 5-674 for Sunday’s race at Watkins Glen. This is the same chassis that Martin raced at Infineon in June. The team also tested chassis 5-674 at Road Atlanta last month.
HENDRICK AT WATKINS GLEN
In 25 races (84 starts) at Watkins Glen, Hendrick Motorsports has six wins, 17 top-five finishes and 31 top-10s. Jeff Gordon ranks second on the all-time win list at WGI with four victories and Martin is third with three. Gordon earned Hendrick Motorsports’ most recent victory at the road course when he won the 2001 event.
APPROACHING 200
With Gordon’s win at Pocono Raceway on June 12, Hendrick Motorsports has earned 197 Cup victories. The organization ranks first in NASCAR’s modern era for wins and second all-time behind Petty Enterprises, which has 268 victories.
QUOTES
MARK MARTIN, DRIVER, NO. 5 GODADDY.COM CHEVROLET (ON WATKINS GLEN)
“We couldn’t race at two more different types of road courses. Infineon (Raceway) is more of a short track style of road course where Watkins Glen is like the superspeedway of road courses. I love it. I’ve run better here over the course of my career so I’ve always kind of enjoyed it more. This track has more of an open feel to it and carries a lot more speed than Infineon does. We haven’t had the best runs on road courses here lately, but I’m hoping that turns around this weekend and we can get a good solid finish.”
MARTIN (ON CHANCES OF MAKING THE CHASE FOR THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP)
“We have to win. And really, with Brad (Keselowski) getting his second win (of the 2011 season) at Pocono last weekend, we need to win twice. Climbing to 10th in points would be ideal, but we have a big deficit to make up, and that’s going to be very difficult to do with this points system. Is it possible? Yes. But it’s not going to be easy. We’ve performed better over the last few weeks and have gotten better finishes, but to get inside the top 10 we’re going to need solid top-10 and even top-five finishes every week.”
MARTIN (ON THE PASSING OF TEAM OWNER MARY HENDRICK)
“Miss Mary was an amazing, awesome woman. She raised really great children, which I respect so much. She was a big supporter of mine and very excited about the success we had on the track in her car. My heart bleeds for Rick (Hendrick) who has had to endure so much loss and yet is always thinking of others.”
LANCE McGREW, CREW CHIEF, NO 5. GODADDY.COM CHEVROLET (ON THE CHALLENGES OF WATKINS GLEN)
“The road courses are challenging for a number of reasons. First, they’re not what we do on a weekly basis, which makes it difficult for us. Many things are different. The car comes down pit road from left to right instead of right to left, which means lots of extra practice for our pit crew guys. There are also many more parts that can break. The transmission and drivetrain take a real beating, as well as all the suspension parts. Road course racing definitely finds the weak link as far as components on the cars go. Hopefully, we can continue to find speed from our recent testing and have a strong run this weekend.”
McGREW (ON THE PASSING OF TEAM OWNER MARY HENDRICK)
“In this life, there are only a handful of people that have truly influenced me. People that I aspire to be like. People that motivate me to be a better person. Each and every person in the Hendrick family has had that effect on me, and Miss Mary was no exception. I had the good fortune of having lunch with her from time to time and never left without appreciating her no-nonsense approach toward life. She had a razor sharp wit and never beat around the bush about any topic. She truly was a special lady. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of the Hendrick family.”
Mark Martin - Team Chevy From The Driver's Seat
August 10, 2011
MARK MARTIN, NO. 5 GODADDY.COM CHEVROLET - 15TH IN STANDINGS
“We couldn’t race at two more different types of road courses. Infineon is more of a short track style of road course where Watkins Glen is like the superspeedway of road courses. I love it. I’ve run better here over the course of my career, so I’ve always kind of enjoyed it more. This track has more of an open feel to it and carries a lot more speed than Infineon does. We haven’t had the best runs on road courses here lately, but I’m hoping that turns around this weekend and we can get a good solid finish. We have to win (in order to make the Chase). And really, with Brad (Keselowski) getting his second win at Pocono last weekend, we need to win twice. Climbing to 10th in points would be ideal, but we have a big deficit to make up and that’s going to be very difficult to do with this point system. Is it possible? Yes. But it’s not going to be easy. We’ve performed better over the last few weeks and have gotten better finishes, but to get inside the top 10 we’re going to need solid top-10 and even top-five finishes every week.”
Mark Martin NCWTS Race Preview - Good Sam RV Emergency Road Service 125
Turner Motorsports
August 3, 2011
No. 32 Exide Batteries Silverado Team News and Notes
Welcome Back Mark:
Turner Motorsports welcomes Mark Martin back to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) as driver of the No. 32 Exide Batteries Chevy Silverado. Martin, who will make two starts in the No. 32 Chevy Silverado this season, made four starts with Turner Motorsports in the NASCAR Nationwide Series this season, earning the organization its first NASCAR win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March. In addition to his win, he captured three top-10 finishes.
Exide and Martin Reunite:
For the first time in 15 years, Martin and Exide Batteries will reunite in the NCWTS. Martin made his NCWTS debut with Exide, visiting victory lane in his second start with the battery company on board at North Wilkesboro Speedway on September 26th, 1996. Martin started second, led 29 laps and went on to win the 250-lap event at the historic speedway.
Stellar Pocono Stats:
This weekend’s NCWTS event will mark Martin’s first NCWTS start at the famed Pennsylvania raceway, but his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) stats at the track are stellar. Martin has competed in 49 NSCS events at the track, logging three poles, 19 top-five and 33 top-10 finishes. He has an average start of 8.9, an average finish of 11.2 and a 93.3% lap completion rate.
Dominant in the Trucks:
Martin has logged 23 NCWTS career starts, earning 3 poles, seven wins, 16 top-five and 19 top-10 finishes. He has led 830 laps, an average start of 7.2 and an average finish of 7.1.
At 2+-Mile Speedways:
Martin has made six starts in the NCWTS on speedways which are two miles or more in size. In these six starts, he’s notched three wins (Daytona International Speedway, Auto Club Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway), two poles, four top-five and four top-10 finishes. He’s also led 255 of 551 laps, has an average starting spot of fourth and an average finish of 10.2.
This Week’s Silverado:
The No. 32 Exide Batteries Chevrolet Silverado team will unload chassis TMS-204 for Saturday afternoon’s 250-mile event. This is a brand new chassis for the No. 32 team.
Exide Technologies:
With operations in more than 80 countries, is one of the world’s largest producers and recyclers of lead-acid batteries. The Company’s four global business groups - Transportation Americas, Transportation Europe and Rest of World, Industrial Energy Americas and Industrial Energy Europe and Rest of World - provide a comprehensive range of stored electrical energy products and services for industrial and transportation applications.
Mark Martin on His Return to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series:
“I have always loved the Camping World Truck Series. It’s fun to work with a new group of guys and I’ll get that opportunity with Turner Motorsports this weekend. Doug George (crew chief) and the guys at Turner have great equipment and fast trucks. James Buescher has been on the verge of winning nearly every weekend so that get me even more excited to get over there. I love having the opportunity to race - no matter what series it’s in. I’m definitely looking forward to this weekend and getting back in it again in Michigan.”
Mark Martin on Reuniting with Exide Batteries:
“Exide Batteries was on my Truck back in the Roush days. They were actually on my truck in 1996 when I won my first Truck Series race. They’re a great sponsor. They’ve been in the sport for a long time and I appreciate that. I’m hoping we can give them a good run on Saturday.”
Mark Martin on Pocono Raceway:
“Pocono is one of the most challenging tracks we race on. It’s not an oval, but it’s not a road course either. So, it kind of doesn’t race like any other track we’re on. As a driver it’s hard out there, but the crew guys have an even bigger job trying to get the Truck dialed in for all three turns. It’s tough. You have to give up a little in one corner to make another one better. It’s just something you’ll fight all day.”
Mark Martin, Turner Motorsports join forces for Pocono, Michigan truck races
By Kenny Bruce
SceneDaily.com
August 3, 2011
Sprint Cup Series veteran Mark Martin, who has enjoyed much success in all three of NASCAR’s top touring series, returns to truck competition this weekend when he joins Turner Motorsports for the Camping World Truck Series race at Pocono Raceway.
It will be Martin’s first truck race since the 2007 season, and the first of two scheduled starts with the team this year – he is also scheduled to compete later this month at Michigan.
"I have always loved the [truck] series,” said Martin, who has seven career Truck Series wins. “It's fun to work with a new group of guys and I'll get that opportunity with Turner Motorsports this weekend.
“(Crew chief) Doug George and the guys at Turner have great equipment and fast trucks. James Buescher has been on the verge of winning nearly every weekend, so that gets me even more excited to get over there.
“I love having the opportunity to race - no matter what series it's in. I'm definitely looking forward to this weekend and getting back in it again in Michigan."
Buescher, driving the team’s No. 31 entry, is currently third in the series’ points standings while teammate Ricky Carmichael, driving the team’s No. 4 entry, is 16th.
Martin will be behind the wheel of the team’s No. 32 Chevrolet, which has featured Steve Arpin, Blake Feese and Brad Sweet in select events this year.
Martin and Turner Motorsports have a shared history – the veteran driver gave the organization its first Nationwide Series win earlier this season at Las Vegas.
Martin’s truck stats are impressive. In 23 career starts, he has seven wins and 19 top-10 finishes along with three poles.
Exide Batteries will sponsor his truck.
“Exide Batteries was on my truck back in the Roush days,” Martin said. “They were actually on my truck in 1996 when I won my first truck series race. ... They've been in the sport for a long time and I appreciate that. I'm hoping we can give them a good run on Saturday."
Martin, 52, has 40 career Sprint Cup wins and 49 in the Nationwide Series, a record he shares with Kyle Busch. His last truck win came in 2006 at Homestead.
Mark Martin - Team Chevy From The Driver's Seat - Good Sam RV Insurance 500
August 2, 2011
MARK MARTIN, NO. 5 GODADDY.COM CHEVROLET - 18TH IN STANDINGS:
“This is one of the most challenging tracks we race on. It’s not an oval, but it’s not a road course either. So, it kind of doesn’t race like any other track we’re on. As a driver it’s hard out there, but the crew guys have an even bigger job trying to get the GoDaddy.com Chevy dialed in for all three turns. It’s tough. You have to give up a little in one corner to make another one better. It’s just something you’ll fight all day. Not winning at a track I’ve raced at so many times could be frustrating, but really I don’t think about it. I don’t carry around a list of where I haven’t won at, hoping to check them off. When I think of my career I guess I think more of the wins I do have, not the ones I don’t. And of course the people I’ve met and the good times we’ve had.”
