Published: May 06, 2008 04:14 pm            

ALL-TIME NASCAR ELITE, MARK MARTIN

Monticello — Mark Martin can't believe his career is almost over. And he's saying

exactly the same thing now that he said back in the spring‹that he's having

the time of his life, running a part-time schedule as driver of DEI's No. 8

U S Army Chevrolet.

Martin left Roush Racing at the end of 2006. He and Jack Roush had been

together for 18 years, but at the age of 48, Martin said he needed some

breathing room from the pressures of Cup racing, and to spend more time with

his family. His 2007 season was a roller-coaster ride. He began the season

employed by Ginn Racing, but in late July, Ginn Racing basically was folded

into Dale Earnhardt Inc., and Martin's world changed, for the best.

"It's exactly what I wanted to do, and it was the best decision of my

life," he said. "I'm the happiest I've ever been, and I couldn't have a

better life right now."

His 35 Sprint Cup wins put him fourth on the win list among active

drivers and 17th on the all-time list. He 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, and ranks fifth

all-time in the Sprint Cup point standings. Martin has started 704 Cup

races, finishing inside the top 10 on 388 occasions, inside the top five 240

times and visiting winner's circle 35 times. His 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. His strongest run of the season was three weeks ago at Phoenix,

Martin led 68 laps and was the strongest car down the stretch at Phoenix,

but lost out on fuel mileage.

"I've really enjoyed working with the U.S. Army team," said Martin, who

shares the No. 8 DEI car with Aric Almirola. "Making the move to a new

group, working with Chevy, all the changes have all been positive for me.

Being able to be a part of Dale Earnhardt Incorporated is a real honor. It

opens up a new challenge.

"There are things there that I will be able to do probably for a long

time, based on my amount of experience that I have and all the youth that is

there at the company at this time. They are great, fabulous people. They

have talent in all aspects of the company ‹and they have welcomed me with

open arms...I'm living a dream."

When asked what was best about racing part-time, he replied: "Quality

time with my wife and son. That's by far been the best. It's just been so

good. I'm not saying there hasn't been any pressure; there has been huge

pressure for me. But it's been a drop in the bucket compared to what I've

dealt with the past 15 years.

"Instead of dragging out and being a grind, it's been a great year for

me. I am so lucky to be driving this car, and working with these people, and

doing what I love so much‹when I want to do it."

Weekend Racing: Next Sunday is Mother's Day and NASCAR has a policy of

not racing on that day. The Nationwide and Sprint Cup teams will have Friday

and Saturday night races at Darlington, South Carolina.

Fri., May 9, Nationwide Series Diamond Hill Plywood 200; Starting time:

7 p.m. (EST); TV: ESPN2.

Sat., May 10, Sprint Cup Dodge Challenger 200, Starting time: 7 p.m.

(EST); TV: Fox; Distance: 367 laps; Defending champion: Jeff Gordon.

Racing Trivia Question: Jimmy Spencer hasn't raced since 2006. What are

his future plans?

Last Week's Question: Jeremy Mayfield is out as the driver of the No. 70

Cup car. Who replaced him? Answer. Johnny Sauter is the new driver.

You may contact the Racing Reporter at: hodgesnews@earthlink.net.

        

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