Somewhere along life’s journey, you see it. It might be at work, or on the team or in the club. There’ll be someone who commands respect- a person who exemplifies the best in whatever the organization is all about. They may not be the first person you notice, because they’re not flamboyant, they’re not there for the attention. They don’t need titles- they’re secure in who they are. Sadly, there may even be a possibility that after a generation or two, they won’t be remembered- however to this person, it doesn’t matter.
They possess a certain wiring unlike the attention seekers. They do what they do because they have a passion for it. Deep down inside, they know that one day they’ll walk away because it’s their time, and they’ll leave the place better than they found it.
When it comes to drivers in today’s NASCAR, Mark Martin is just such a man.
Now when it comes to winning, I am by no means suggesting Mark Anthony Martin is not a winner. Martin has 35 Cup victories, he’s the Busch/ Nationwide Series’ all-time winningest driver with 48, and he has 7 truck wins as well. That’s 100 wins for NASCAR’s top 3 series.
For those of you who have been around long enough- you know that Martin also owns five IROC titles to go with 13 wins in that series. When it comes to NASCAR immortality- Martin has been runner-up in the season points an incredible 4 times. He was edged out by Dale Earnhardt with a 26 point margin in 1990 and also sat in the Intimidator’s rear view mirror again in 1994 when Earnhardt won his last title. The Batesville, Arkansas native registered a career 7 wins in 1998, but that also happened to be the year of Jeff Gordon’s insane run where the Rainbow Warrior rattled off 13 wins. Martin was also rock solid in 2002, but a young open wheel defector named Tony Stewart was 32 points better.
Need more evidence this old tomcat can drive? Martin won 6 of the 14 truck races he entered in 2006.
Before the 50-year old was a winner in NASCAR, he was a winner in the American Speed Association in 1978, 1979 and 1980 before making his debut at North Wilkesboro on April 5, 1981. Martin started 5th that day and ended with a respectable 27th- not a bad day’s work for a rookie driver/owner. He ran 4 more races, and then finished second (naturally) to Geoff Bodine in the Raybestos Rookie of the Year standings in 1982. Problem was, Martin couldn’t keep his shop afloat, auctioned off his equipment and returned to ASA.
A couple of seasons after winning a 4th ASA in 1986, Mark Martin returned to NASCAR as a driver for the fledgling Jack Roush Racing team. In his second full season- at the age of 30- Martin got his first career Cup win at Rockingham on October 22, 1989.
During the course of the 1990s, he played an instrumental role in helping Roush build the organization it has today. From 1989 to 2000, Martin reeled off a run of top 10 finishes in the season’s points: 3rd, 2nd, 6th, 6th, 3rd, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 3rd, 2nd, 3rd and 8th. 31 of his career Cup wins came during that era- which gave us such luminaries as Dale Jarrett, Rusty Wallace, Bill Elliott, some kid named Gordon, Texas Terry Labonte and the legendary Dale Earnhardt.
In terms of being a winner, it was more than just hoisting trophies. I don’t think I’m waxing too poetic when I say there’s no doubt his demeanor rubbed off on his teammates- guys who cut their teeth at the top level alongside the “6″- Jeff Burton, Matt Kenseth and Greg Biffle just to name a few.
Most every driver has had their share of detractors for one reason or another. A lot of fans won’t admit it now, but they hated Earnhardt in his heyday. Gordon may have the most wins of any active driver to go with his 4 Cups, but he’s had as many haters as he’s had fans: he was too Hollywood, he could get a little overly aggressive, and to some he was just too whiny. Rusty Wallace was thought to be overly aggressive and mouthy. For Martin, about the worst that’s said of him is that he seemed to lack a killer instinct. That’s code for “he’s TOO clean.”
If there’s another driver out there with a bad word to say about Mark Martin, I haven’t heard it. When he got his 48th career Nationwide win last year at Las Vegas, Martin got there somewhat by virtue of an incident with Carl Edwards. Martin was openly contrite after the race and even Edwards admitted he couldn’t find it in him to be too angry with Martin.
Many fans are of the opinion that Martin came out of “semi” retirement to sign with HMS to chase down that elusive title. From interviews I’ve read, I’ll go this way: sure- Martin would love to have that Cup, but really, I think it’s a little more about passion for the sport and leaving (most likely after 2010) the sport knowing he gave it the best run he had in some of the best equipment in NASCAR. If after that. Mark Martin hasn’t won a title, he’ll then know it just wasn’t meant to be.
He may be dismissed by young fans as a “has been”, “too old” to be a serious competitor. Fans and commentators who know what they’re looking at know they’re looking at perhaps the champion who never was…. officially speaking. In 2006, Mark Martin was named the Busch Series “Greatest Driver” by the fans and media.
Another thing you have to remember is Mark Martin is more than just a racer. He’s a husband, a father to 5 children (4 are from Arlene’s first marriage), a man of faith, a fitness fanatic, and a pilot. You might surprised to know he has an eclectic taste in music- from Stevie Nicks to Tanya Tucker to 50 Cent. Yes….50 Cent.
Now I’ll take off my radio sports guy and NASCAR blogger hat off for a moment and speak as a fan. Everyone’s entitled to like who they want. Some prefer the Tony Stewarts and Kevin Harvicks, others are more into Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Kasey Kahne. Others have their reasons for liking Kyle Busch and Dale Earnhardt Jr. as for me- my greatest respect is for guys who quietly command respect: Jeff Burton, Bobby Labonte and……Mark Martin.
In my book, it’s better to have character than to be one. Mark Martin, and others before like Ned Jarrett (just to name one), have carried the badge of honor well.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Finally, someone other than me that realizes the impact Mark Martin has had, and still has in Nascar. Granted he has been my favorite driver since I started watching Nascar in 1992. I am so sick of reading all the commentaries about he should have retired, and stayed retired, etc. Obviously if you look at his statistics this year, IE where he was in the race when his engine blew, or tire blew out, any idiot could figure out he still can hold his own. 2 pole positions and an outside pole at one of his least favorite racetracks tells the story. In 5 races. With a new team. Sadly, as I like to refer to it, welcome to the World of Mark Martins Racing Luck. Good guys don’t always finish first in Nascar, but in this case, the good guy will finish first in the hearts of true Nascar fans, and still be able to kick all the “young gun’s” arses on his way out.
As you know, I’ve been a big fan of Mark Martin since I first started watching NASCAR racing. And I’ll be the first to admit I’ve made some jokes about the “old man” in the things I’ve written. But when it’s all said and done, Mark is the one driver I truly hope to get to meet someday.
No one has more hope than me for him to win a Cup championship, but if it doesn’t happen won’t diminish the respect I have for Mark as one of the few “Great Ones” in the world of NASCAR.
Been a Mark fan for over 22 yrs. My dream came true when i got 2 met Mark in the pits at BMS. He laughs a lot and loves to cut up. HES THE BEST . Love that Mark. Even talked to mark on the phone on ELI radio show. {TOLD MARK OUT SIDE OF YOUR WIFE I LOVE YOU MOST OF ALL {HE LOVED THAT.}