JOHN RAOUX / ASSOCIATED PRESS

By Larry Woody

Staff Writer, The Tennessean, Sterling's Biographer

Published: Tuesday, 01/23/07

Columbia Tennessee, Sterlings home town, Sharon's hometown, Mule Capital of the world.

CONCORD, N.C. — Sterling Marlin is bearing down on the big five-0, the career twilight for most racers, but the popular veteran from Columbia (Tennessee) said he's not ready for a rocker.

"I feel as competitive as I ever did, and I know I can still get the job done on the racetrack," Marlin said Monday during a NASCAR Nextel Cup Media Tour luncheon.  "How long will I keep going?  I don't know.  A lot depends on how I do this year. I might come back for another full season, I might run a limited schedule … right now I just don't know. I'll see how this year goes, talk to Bobby (team owner Bobby Ginn) and see what shakes out.

Ginn, who bought the team formerly known as MB2 Motorsports in mid-season last year, said, "Sterling has become a part of my family," and he said it will be entirely Marlin's call about when to quit driving.  "Sterling is a veteran driver, and he'll know when he's no longer competitive," Ginn said.  "He'll make that decision; I won't make it for him.  I'm rooting for him, I'll tell you that.  When he quits racing, we'll lose not just a great driver but a great personality."

Marlin, who has been chasing checkered flags in NASCAR's top series since 1976, has 10 Nextel Cup wins — including back-to-back Daytona 500 victories — and earnings of $40.2 million.  After a strong run for the championship was stopped by a season-ending injury in 2002, Marlin has endured four straight winless seasons.

Thus the win in five years to maintain my allegiance rule is in play for me and Sterling must win this year.  He is in the last year of the five year fan contract extension I gave him after his last win in 2002.

"It's been frustrating but I'm not giving up," Marlin said.  "Bobby has brought a lot of fresh enthusiasm to the team. He's gone out and got some good people, and he's giving us everything we need to succeed.  That's why I think we can do something this year."

Ginn, who grew up a racing fan, said, "I know how tough this sport is, and I know it's not getting any easier. I've been taking risks all my life. This is a business, but it's also something I love. Every morning when I get up I'm excited about it."

Marlin's No. 14 Chevy finished 36th in team owner points last year, and through the first five races this season only last year's top 35 teams are guaranteed starting spots.  That means Marlin will have to make the first five races on qualifying speed, starting with next month's Daytona 500.  "I think we'll be OK," Marlin said.  "Everybody has worked hard to get ready. We'll roll into Daytona with a positive attitude."

Marlin is putting a positive spin on it.  Frankly, this bothers me.  Early indications are that we are up to speed at Daytona.  But will we be up to speed at  California, Las Vegas, Atlanta and Bristol?  It's a long road or a tough row to ####, take your pick of metaphors.

Come along if you dare.  Sterling Marlin fans are cut from a different cloth.  We are "racers."

It's easy to be a fan of Dale Earnhardt Junior, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Jimmy Johnson or  Kasey Kahne.  These are probably the top five most popular Nextel Cup Drivers.  I'm not here to argue that. But how hard is it to follow these guys knowing they will run up front?

No, "racers" follow their guy even if he struggles.  When they win, it is so much sweeter.

Sterling Marlin fans waited for over 200 Winston Cup starts for Sterling's first win.  We are not about to give up on him now.  Not yet.  But this year will be tough.  No doubt about it.

So, if you want to learn more about Nextel Cup racing, what it's really about for many teams, join me on this journey.  I guarantee I will be reporting from a different angle from all of the main Nextel Cup sources.  If you follow someone who wasn't even close to making The Chase last year, then you especially might enjoy the ride.  Come along if you dare.

Do We Have Sponsorship?

Sterling Marlin fan rhendryx has been in Daytona.  He is helping Marlin fans with the do we have sponsorship issue.  Marlin fans know, that Sterling has full sponsorship even if it winds up being Ginn Clubs, owned by Ginn Racing owner Bobby Ginn.

We also know that sponsorship means more money.  We know it takes lot's of money.  We know our odds are better if we have lot's of money.  We are hoping to start with that Waste Management will be a primary sponsor this year.

Clue 1:  Waste Management is the same size as Ginn Clubs on Sterling's trailer.

Question 1:  Will the sponsorship be 50 - 50?

Clue 2:  This car was used for testing in Daytona.

Clue 3: From sterlingmarlinfans.com Sharon in Columbia TN, Crew Chief, Joined: 24 Feb 2005, Posts: 3841, Location: STERLIN MARLIN COUNTRY, Tue Jan 09, 2007, 11:01 pm

I'm guessing that the "14" is the backup from Talladega. Notice the unscathed '06 paint scheme.

Clue 4:  rhendryx,  Fabricator,

Age: 52, Joined: 26 Feb 2005,  Posts: 493,  Location: Cigar City,

I think your guess is right on, Miss Sharon.  The 14 used the name plate "Monte Carlo".  This year Chevy's will be "Impala's".  I think you are 100% correct that the 14 is last years superspeedway car.

Question 2:  Does this indicate that WM is not a primary sponsor?

Clue 5:  This car shows no indication of sponsors.

Clue 6:  Sharon in Columbia TN,  The "14x" is probably the primary car from Talladega that has been re-skinned and straightened or a new car they have built.

Clue 7:  rhendryx, Hard to say for sure what the 14x is.

Clue 8:  Sterling is wearing a Ginn Clubs uniform.

Question 3?  Does this indicate Waste management is not a Primary sponsor?

Conclusions:  The truck makes me think 50 - 50 Waste Management and Ginn.  But just like last year, there is plenty of room on the truck to add other sponsors or enlarge the logo's of existing ones.  So it likely indicates maybe 33% of the sponsorship is committed here between the two sponsors giving each of them 17%.

I am saying that we can expect to see WM on for at least 6 races.  Last year they committed to 12 earlier on.  It looks like to me they have committed to less than that this year.  Can't say I blame them.  Our production last year for their dollar was next to nil.

The WM paint scheme is likely last year's Talladega back up body, not necessarily "car."  It's likely that we are testing one of the restrictor plate chassis that we used at Daytona and/or Talladega last year.  To me it does not indicate sponsorship since it is last year's scheme.  However, it is definitely a tease to WM hoping they will get good feedback from it and offer us more sponsorship.

The 14x is probably a new car.  It looks to be ready to put any logo on it that anyone that wants their name on our Daytona car can buy from us.  We tested well.  Anyone out there want to help us?

Sterling is probably just wearing the Ginn suit because it is last year's suit and we know Ginn will sponsor us if needed.  You can't give WM too much for free.  Or they will not pay more for more pub.

So if you are a Marlin fan or any other interested party and care to comment, what do you think?

If your not an interested party, see what we have to put up with?   It's not what most Nextel cup fans are talking about is it?  Nope?  Jr. will be in the red 8, Tony in the orange 20, Jeff in the Blue 24, Kasey in the red 9 and Jimmy in the blue 48.  You know their sponsors as well as I do.