It wasn't too long ago that Sterling Marlin found himself contending for the series title. Now, Marlin is only competing part-time and struggling to make races. What happened?
Marlin was racing for Bobby Ginn last year and was securely in the top 35 in points when Ginn Racing was merged with Dale Earnhardt Inc. This left two Ginn drivers who were in the top-35, Marlin and Joe Nemechek, without jobs. Marlin was replaced by rookie Regan Smith after the merge, leaving him feeling robbed of a deserved ride.
"I can get up and look in the mirror and know I've done everything
right. I don't think that's the case on the other side so I'll just
leave it at that," he stated after he heard the news.
He only raced in two more events in 2007, racing in the final two events of the year finishing 25th and 33rd in the #09 car.
Marlin tried to qualify for this years Daytona 500 in the #09, but only finished 21st in the 1st Gatorade Duel, failing to qualify for the 500. It was the first time since 1982 that the two-time Daytona 500 winner wasn't in the field.
Since then Marlin hasn't tried to make a single event, with his next scheduled attempt to be the Aaron's 499 at Talladega, the second of only ten scheduled starts for Marlin.
The 1983 rookie of the year has enjoyed success in his career, from his first victory in the prestigious Daytona 500 to his win at Darlington, the track with the name "Too Tough to Tame." His career average finish is is under 19th, and he has logged over 200 top-10's. He may have claimed the 2002 Cup championship hadn't it been for a season-ending wreck at Kansas that left him out of the driver's seat for the remainder of the year.
Given the right opportunity, the 50 year old Marlin could prove he still has what it takes to win on Nascar's most elite series.
He was totally jobbed by Bobby Ginn. I'm sure he went to Ginn Racing on good faith and did everything right. I feel for him, he was totally crapped upon. Hope someone can bust him a call soon with a good ride.
I love Sterling and was able to talk to him last year at Homestead. The crew chief said they would only be running a handful of races if at all. I bet Falcons has more info on what Sterling is up to these days.
I know where he should go. He will only be remembered as the man who needlessly spun Dale Earnhardt to end his life by gaining one spot in the finish that was out of his reach. He should have been black-balled from the sport then, not allowed to dwindle into anonymity. KARMA Sterling...what goes around comes around! You just didn't have good sense enough to leave!
BNut....Earnhardt caused that wreck by trying to block two lines of traffic at the same time. He brought it upon himself. Even Dale Jr. said Marlin had nothing to do with it. The only people who blame Marlin are narrow minded Earnhardt fans. Everyone else saw it objectively.
Sorry Hanahan, we disagree on this one...but it is all water under the bridge. I won't defend myself on it, but I saw it much differently than you did. My point is that no contact needed to be made, because of 3rd place vs 4th. The last corner of the last lap is not the place to spin people. Some would say it was Dale's karma to die in a wreck similar to how he spun so many to win...but I am not for spinning people to gain spots...so I will NEVER think that what Marlin did was fair, right or warranted. I guess we agree to disagree on this one
I saw it live and have seen the footage at least 200 times since it happened. All I can say is that, at best - it was incidental contact and at worst - it was two veteran racers "RACING" for position in the final corner of the final turn of the biggest race of the year. Have to agree with Hanahan that Dale Sr. was blatantly blocking and Sterling was trying to squeeze through a three-wide hole. Sorry, but it was the infamous "just a racing deal, boys" that turned into tragedy.
moseby....You were there? So was I. I was cussing Earnhardt for getting Schrader caught up in his mess. Of course later on, during the drive home, we heard the terrible news, and I felt bad about it. The only thing more wrong than people blaming Marlin, are the ones who somehow think Schrader was at fault. I've heard a few.
Sorry, man - Don't want to mislead you, I saw it broadcast live. I was safely on my couch during the wreck. It looked like a generic hit at the time, but didn't find out about Sr.'s passing until I was at a buddy's house playing poker later. It was like every other wreck at every other restrictor plate race NASCAR has ever had. Bobby Allison's wreck was worse. Rusty Wallace's. Tony Stewart's. Richard Petty's. Even Sr. himself at Talladega. Anyone that would blame Kenny on that deal must have had too much Budweiser.
I've only seen NASCAR live at Charlotte, Dover and Richmond. But haven't been since 2003. Don't really like the crowds anymore.
Sterling is spending a lot of time on his farm and doing land deals as I understand it. He did drive the 1 for Miccosukee a few weeks ago in the Nationwide Series at Nashville, his home track, after they let Sauter go and before they put Bliss in it.
Sterling missed the boat between the 05 and 06 seasons when Childress offered him the 07. Jack Daniels wanted the Tennessee boy in it. But Sterling had a year on his contract with Ganassi. So, being a man of his word, he honored it. That doesn't happen much these days.
After Ganassi let him go at the end of 05 Sterling did his best at MB2 and later Ginn where he proved he could still run in the top 25 in points. What he couldn't do was drive a car that was coil bound or the COT. He also can't market. The combination of age, honor, changing car set ups and inability to market have resulted in where he is today.
He still loves to race and runs at Nashville Speedway, his origional home track, on occasions.
"Several press conferences were held in the days following Earnhardt's death. Some fans wrote threatening letters to Sterling Marlin, blaming him for causing the wreck. Quickly thereafter, Earnhardt's son, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., publicly and adamantly absolved Marlin of any responsibility."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dale_E arnhardt
Jr. knows it was racing and that his dad for probably the only time in his life wasn't trying to win the race. Dale was blocking so Michael could win and Jr. could get second while he still finished third. It was a beautiful moment unless you were a Sterling fan like me and felt your driver was being cheated. They touched, and a combination of factors led to a tragedy nobody wanted.
Jr. has forgiven Sterling and you need to too. If you look closely when Sterling is around, you will often see him hanging around with Jr. They are actually friends that like to spend time together. This was very noticeable at Daytona. Jr. was hanging around with Sterling when they were addressing the Daytona 500 winners from the past.
Hello, I'm Tyler Head. I live in Utica, NY and currently attend Ilion Jr. Sr. High School. I'm in 10th grade this year, and I'm persuing a career in Computer Hardware design, or Journalism... I guess I'm undecided, lol. I enjoy a lot of sports, with my favorite being NASCAR. My favorite driver is Jeff Gordon, I even made a fansite. As much as I enjoy NASCAR, I also like Baseball, Football, and College Basketball.
All articles from February 2008 on can also be found on my website, 24fansite.5u. com.
