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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