OK...after my last two Indy 500 posts, I guess it is time to get back writing about NASCAR.

Well this week we continue on with another race for the SYMT drivers. And to get us in the racing mood, I'm going to talk about one of NASCAR's most sentimental favorites: Mark Martin. 

Mark Martin has been in the Cup series since the mid 1980's.   Like many drivers he began his racing career on the dirt tracks of his home state (Arkansas), and graduated to the asphalt racing. He raced in the ASA (American Speed Association) racing series with his rookie season of 1977. He was rather successful there and won 22 races and FOUR championships in ASA: 1978,1979, 1980 and 1986.  As a matter of fact I remember seeing Mark Martin racing in an ASA sanctioned event when I first started dating my husband in 1983. It was a small track near the Indiana border called Illiana Speedway. 

Mark Martin has had the pleasure of racing with several of NASCAR's elite teams during his career thus far. His longest term association was of course with Roush Racing. He began driving for Roush in 1988 and stayed with the team for 19 years!  During this time he had several sponsors, but the a few of them I remember most: Stroh's, Folger's, and of course the Viagra car. 

Of course we all know he has been the bridesmaid several times in the Cup points...finishing 2nd four times in his career: 1990, 1994, 1998 and 2002. But don't let this statistic fool you...he has 37 Cup victories to his credit. 

Some of Mark's most popular car's during his Cup career are shown above. 

In 2004, Mark announced that he would retire at the end of the 2005 season with his "Salute to You" tour.  This was the same year that Rusty Wallace also did his retirement tour dubbed "Rusty's Last Call". During the 2005 season many of the tracks had a special commeroration ceremony (or presentation) to the two drivers.  But ultimately Mark Martin decided to come back and race the 2006 season again with Jack Roush.

In the 2007 racing season, Mark choose to race part time (semi-retirement) with Ginn Racing.  He raced the US Army car during that time. However mid 2007, DEI racing acquired Ginn Racing, and then Mark shared his ride with Aric Armola. In 2008 he continued to race part time with DEI. 

 In July 2008 Mark announced that he would return full time to racing with Hendrick Motorsports for the 2009 NASCAR season.  Mark felt that this would give him a shot at the Cup title that had eluded him throughout his career.   Currently he is racing the Kellog's car which has brought him to victory lane twice thus far in 2009.

And yes, Mark also has raced in the Nationwide Series, starting in 1982, and establishing a record 48 wins in the series as a driver.  Mark has also raced occaisionally in the Camping World Truck Series. He has a total of 7 victories in that series also.

And to wrap up this notable career, Mark also has participated in the IROC series during the 1990's and 2000's. He amassed an incredible five IROC titles in the time: 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2005.  Mark is really an all around racer, and has enjoyed every moment of racing in the various series. 

Some other tidbits I uncovered during my browsing on the web: Mark owns two car dealerships: Mark Martin Chevrolet in Melbourne, AR and Mark Martin Ford-Mecury, in Batesville, AR. (His hometown). Also located Batesville is the Mark Martin Museum.

Mark is married to Arlene and has one son Matt. His son Matt was racing in quarter midgets up to the  ASA late model series, but stopped racing last year in order to focus on his studies.  Mark Martin is also an avid pilot and flies his personal jet to and from the races.

So in what many would consider to be the "twilight of his career", Mark appears to be re-energized this season.

Mark is considered  "the best driver to never win a championship". Perhaps 2009 can put an end to this statement ? !!!