Veteran Driver Looks for Renaissance Year with New Ginn Racing Team
After 30 years on the NASCAR Cup circuit, two-time Daytona 500 winner Sterling Marlin knows that things won't always be easy. So after a disappointing 2006 season with his No. 14 team, Marlin is looking for revitalization in 2007. And what better place to begin his latest journey than the famed 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway and the season-opening Daytona 500. One of only three drivers with back-to-back Daytona 500 wins, Marlin has collected 11 top-10 finishes in 24 starts in NASCAR's biggest race. Now, with Panasonic joining forces with Waste Management, his first full season with crew chief Richard "Slugger" Labbe, and with the addition of Mark Martin to the Ginn Racing driver lineup, Marlin talks about his expectations for 2007 and predicts an exciting year for the growing organization.
Q. There has been a lot of growth at Ginn Racing in the last six months. Talk about the changes and what it means to you as a driver.
Marlin: When Bobby (Ginn) purchased the team last year it was like he lifted a cloud that had been hanging over the organization. He came in and talked about the future and his five-year plan about becoming a successful team and really brought some excitement and confidence to everyone at the shop. It's amazing to have seen the amount of expansion that's taken place in such a short amount of time. Ginn Racing went from 60 to 160 people very quickly and I think we're going to be a force to be reckoned with each and every week.
Q. Last year didn't produce the kind of results that you'd hoped for in your inaugural season with Ginn Racing. What are you looking to achieve on the Nextel Cup circuit in 2007?
Marlin: We didn't get the results we hoped for last year for sure, but I think we made a lot of progress in our performances, especially toward the end of the season. The last few races after Slugger came on board, things really improved throughout race weekend and on the track on Sundays. We got caught up in a wreck something like seven of the last 10 races and we lost an engine in Homestead (Fla.), so luck had a lot to do with why improved results didn't match our improved performances.
This season our goal is to be competitive each week and consistently run in the top 10. We have to be fast on pit road and eliminate any problems we have control over, so that when we face a situation we don't have control of, we're in the best situation to handle it. I think if a team can find a way to do that then eventually they'll put themselves in a position to win a race, which we'd obviously love to do.
Q. What are your thoughts on heading to Daytona without an automatic berth into the Daytona 500?
Marlin: Unfortunately we weren't able to finish in the top-35 in owner points last year and that's really put us behind the eight ball for the first several races of the season. We have to come out of the box strong during the Daytona qualifying session and the Twin 150 races and be sure we secure a spot so we can show off this Waste Management/Panasonic Chevrolet. I think we have every reason to believe that we can make the race, we have good cars by themselves and also in traffic. So between the Budweiser Pole day and the Twin races, I think we have what it takes to get it done.
But it's definitely a little nerve wracking to not know that you'll be there for sure come race day. A lot of things can happen between now and next Sunday so we just have to take our time and not get ahead of ourselves and do the best we can.
Q. What do you think about the Car of Tomorrow?
Marlin: I haven't formed a solid opinion one way or another yet. I've only been in one a couple of times, and I wasn't the biggest fan. But when NASCAR changed the points system and added the Chase for the Nextel Cup, a lot of drivers weren't fans of it either. But soon enough people changed their minds and now I don't think people can imagine the sport without it.
So we'll see. No one is really going to know how the car will handle out in a big pack of cars until we get out there and try it in race conditions. Then I can form a fair opinion.
I've always liked Sterling. Not to mention he's got a pretty cool name. I hope he does well this year. It was just a few seasons ago when he was contending for a championship. Then he crashed and almost broke his neck or something. Poor guy. He is an underrated driver. Give him a good ride and he'll compete.
Most Interesting Blog, June 16, 2008 and six other occasions. Lisa awarded him Best "breaking news" blogger March 31, 2008. Blog of The Day, Christmas Day, 2007. edhardiman wrote, "Falco's tribute to Rocket Richard reminds us all the stars of today stand on the shoulders of giants..." October 23, 2007. Three Golden Swirrly p00p Awards (Hockey, NASCAR and Use of Graphics), FlyingPig, July 18, 2007. 2007 Memorial Day Weekend Trifecta sponsored by williamwilman . Featured on WFORacingFans April, 2007. "Stylin'" award, Dusty, February 07. "One of ten new bloggers to watch" Dudski, January 2007.
