Mooresville, N.C. (Feb. 27, 2007)

Veteran racer finds new life and Nextel Cup points lead

Mark Martin is off to the best start of his racing career and for the first time since Sept. 22, 2002, the veteran is on top of the NASCAR world.

When informed that he was the points leader Sunday night, a humble, but happy Martin said, "That's really cool.  This team is awesome. It's just great working with the guys on the U.S. Army team and the guys at Ginn Racing.  We've had cars good enough to win in both of the first two races and that really says a lot about this organization and where it is going.  We still have a long way to go, but we sure are off to a great start."

"It's really just been an awesome experience," added Martin. "I'm rolling and I'm having the time of my life."  The plan is for Martin to run the next two races at Las Vegas and Atlanta, before giving way to rookie Regan Smith at the Bristol Race.  Many question the validity of that plan given Martin's early success this season.  One of the doubters is Martin's former teammate at Roush Racing -- Matt Kenseth, who is rumored to have a $200 bet that Martin will run a full season , rather than scale back.

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Primary Source:  Jim Utter - The Charlotte Observer

CONCORD, N.C. - NASCAR veteran Sterling Marlin, entering the final year of his contract with Ginn Racing, said he will wait to see how his team is running this season to decide his future.  “We’ll see how this year shakes out.  I’m really pleased with (crew chief) Slugger (Labbe) and what Bobby (Ginn) has done giving us the things we needed,” he said.  “If we run top 10 this year, I’m going to sign up again and come back.  But I’m not going to be a guy who will run around in 30th and be happy.”

What is Sterling smoking?  What we in Tennessee call grapevine?  That ####'ll make you sick man.  So my mother from southern middle tennessee told me anyway.  I wouldn't know, you know.

Sterling's goal needs to be win a race.  He might luck out and pull that off.  But a top 10 finish in the points race ain't gonna happen.

Official Sterling Marlin message board member rcystcy24/14 wrote, "I think a Top 10 is a VERY high expectation on anybody's part.  I would "kill" to see Sterling finish in the top 10, whether it be top 10 in any race or top 10 in the points AND I think HE is capable of doing it but... anymore if somebody other than a Hendricks (Racing), Roush (Racing), (Joe) Gibbs Racing or (Dale Earnhardt Incorporated) DEI driver finishes in the top 10 for me it's like a miracle.  And that's just my thinking of course.  I get so sick of seeing the same ole drivers up front but that just seems to be the way it is.  If Sterling or Joe (Nemechek) can hold a top 15 or 20 position I'll be satisfied."

I'm with racy stacy, despite her love for Jeff Gordon, who I do not hate, but I love to pick on. 

Marlin, 49, has 10 wins in 711 career Cup starts. He said he could also do something similar to Mark Martin and run 20-or so races while serving as a mentor for the organization's development drivers.

Sterling Marlin fan louise wrote on the official Sterling Marlin message board.  "That would be a satisfying end to a great career, wouldn't it?  I believe that's what Chip Ganassi (Sterlings former car owner) had in mind when he said, "Sterling has a home here as long as he wants it."  Difference is...Bobby Ginn would mean it.