Monday, April 27, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
My Favorite Martin
Guest Column By Cathy Elliott
Do me a favor and conduct a little sociology experiment sometime. Ask a few random people what they dislike most in the world. Answers will probably range anywhere from war to spiders to liars. If you ask me, you can add oatmeal to the list.
But if you take a stroll through the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series garage and ask the drivers the same question, nine times out of 10 you'll get the same answer — losing. To them, losing is like the sound of fingernails on a blackboard, a trip to the dentist and a Barry Manilow concert, all rolled into one big fat ball of misery.
So it came as somewhat of a surprise to see so many happy-looking faces after the race at Phoenix on April 18, because 42 out of 43 of them were the faces of the losers.
In the Sprint Cup Series racing world, there are different levels of aspiration in relation to other drivers. Some drivers you want to be around; other drivers, you want to be like. Then comes the scant handful of drivers you would actually like to be.
Mark Martin fits into all three categories.
Martin made his Cup Series debut in 1981. For those of you who like to take the "that doesn't seem like all that long ago" attitude — and I am one of you — that was 28 years in the rearview mirror. Current stars of NASCAR's youth movement, including Brian Vickers, Joey Logano, David Ragan, Scott Speed and Kyle Busch, weren't even born yet. Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart were 10 years old. Jimmie Johnson was a first-grader.
Martin didn't come out of the gate too badly. In only five starts, he managed a third place finish at Martinsville and won two poles.
The intervening years have gone OK, too. Martin’s 36 Cup Series victories place him 18th on the all-time win list, just one spot behind Bobby Isaac. He is a four-time series runner-up, with second place finishes in 1990, 1994, 1998 and 2002. Over in the Nationwide Series, he sits at the top of the all-time win list, with 48 victories.
If experience is the best teacher, then nearly three decades of racing and 84 trips to NASCAR Victory Lanes must have certainly qualified Mark Martin for his doctoral degree by now.
And in keeping with his reputation as a good guy, a good driver and a good sport, he has passed that accumulated knowledge on to others. You can’t swing a cat in a NASCAR garage without hitting someone who will be happy to share a story about some tidbit of information they have learned from Martin. He knows things. He’s a guy drivers want to be around.
High on the “Things You’ll Never Hear at a Racetrack” list is the phrase, “I just can’t stand that Mark Martin. What a creep.” Martin has won a lot of races over the years, and has earned a pile of respect in the process.
In an arena were competitors can, and sometimes do, take their frustrations with one another out with the help of 3,400 pound stock cars, Martin has sort of become the Mr. Clean of NASCAR. Incidents and accidents are inevitable, but when “racing clean” is an option, he takes it.
“Mark has made a career out of racing you fairly,” Martin’s former Roush teammate Jeff Burton said. “But of course, if you don’t do the same for him, he remembers, so he won’t be doing you any favors if the opportunity comes up.”
In short Martin is a gentleman racer, willing to give good advice to his peers when he’s not too busy dusting his very crowded trophy case. In a sport where tension runs high and tempers do flare, he has somehow managed to make more friends than enemies.
Many drivers want to be like that.
Mark Martin doesn’t back away from difficult decisions, and isn’t afraid to take a risk. Imagine taking part-time possession of the wheel of a formerly successful No. 8 car when its former driver, who also happens to be NASCAR’s most popular racer, vacated the seat under, shall we say, somewhat contentious circumstances. Mark Martin did that.
Imagine having the courage and conviction to believe that no matter what the history books seem to indicate, drivers of a certain age can’t really compete with the younger, fresher talents on the track. Mark Martin has that.
Imagine becoming only the fourth driver in history over the age of 50 to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. Mark Martin did that, just last week. He’ll probably do it again, too.
Now let’s really venture out onto the farthest-fetched of limbs. Imagine that you are so popular and well respected that you can beat Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and his fans don’t even get mad. That you can beat the other 41 guys, too, and instead of sulking in the garage area, a crowd of them comes to a Victory Lane that isn’t theirs to shake your hand and congratulate you. Imagine one very happy race winner, and 42 satisfied losers.
Unimaginable? Not any more. Why?
Because Mark Martin did that.
— Source: NASCAR
Do me a favor and conduct a little sociology experiment sometime. Ask a few random people what they dislike most in the world. Answers will probably range anywhere from war to spiders to liars. If you ask me, you can add oatmeal to the list.
But if you take a stroll through the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series garage and ask the drivers the same question, nine times out of 10 you'll get the same answer — losing. To them, losing is like the sound of fingernails on a blackboard, a trip to the dentist and a Barry Manilow concert, all rolled into one big fat ball of misery.
So it came as somewhat of a surprise to see so many happy-looking faces after the race at Phoenix on April 18, because 42 out of 43 of them were the faces of the losers.
In the Sprint Cup Series racing world, there are different levels of aspiration in relation to other drivers. Some drivers you want to be around; other drivers, you want to be like. Then comes the scant handful of drivers you would actually like to be.
Mark Martin fits into all three categories.
Martin made his Cup Series debut in 1981. For those of you who like to take the "that doesn't seem like all that long ago" attitude — and I am one of you — that was 28 years in the rearview mirror. Current stars of NASCAR's youth movement, including Brian Vickers, Joey Logano, David Ragan, Scott Speed and Kyle Busch, weren't even born yet. Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart were 10 years old. Jimmie Johnson was a first-grader.
Martin didn't come out of the gate too badly. In only five starts, he managed a third place finish at Martinsville and won two poles.
The intervening years have gone OK, too. Martin’s 36 Cup Series victories place him 18th on the all-time win list, just one spot behind Bobby Isaac. He is a four-time series runner-up, with second place finishes in 1990, 1994, 1998 and 2002. Over in the Nationwide Series, he sits at the top of the all-time win list, with 48 victories.
If experience is the best teacher, then nearly three decades of racing and 84 trips to NASCAR Victory Lanes must have certainly qualified Mark Martin for his doctoral degree by now.
And in keeping with his reputation as a good guy, a good driver and a good sport, he has passed that accumulated knowledge on to others. You can’t swing a cat in a NASCAR garage without hitting someone who will be happy to share a story about some tidbit of information they have learned from Martin. He knows things. He’s a guy drivers want to be around.
High on the “Things You’ll Never Hear at a Racetrack” list is the phrase, “I just can’t stand that Mark Martin. What a creep.” Martin has won a lot of races over the years, and has earned a pile of respect in the process.
In an arena were competitors can, and sometimes do, take their frustrations with one another out with the help of 3,400 pound stock cars, Martin has sort of become the Mr. Clean of NASCAR. Incidents and accidents are inevitable, but when “racing clean” is an option, he takes it.
“Mark has made a career out of racing you fairly,” Martin’s former Roush teammate Jeff Burton said. “But of course, if you don’t do the same for him, he remembers, so he won’t be doing you any favors if the opportunity comes up.”
In short Martin is a gentleman racer, willing to give good advice to his peers when he’s not too busy dusting his very crowded trophy case. In a sport where tension runs high and tempers do flare, he has somehow managed to make more friends than enemies.
Many drivers want to be like that.
Mark Martin doesn’t back away from difficult decisions, and isn’t afraid to take a risk. Imagine taking part-time possession of the wheel of a formerly successful No. 8 car when its former driver, who also happens to be NASCAR’s most popular racer, vacated the seat under, shall we say, somewhat contentious circumstances. Mark Martin did that.
Imagine having the courage and conviction to believe that no matter what the history books seem to indicate, drivers of a certain age can’t really compete with the younger, fresher talents on the track. Mark Martin has that.
Imagine becoming only the fourth driver in history over the age of 50 to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. Mark Martin did that, just last week. He’ll probably do it again, too.
Now let’s really venture out onto the farthest-fetched of limbs. Imagine that you are so popular and well respected that you can beat Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and his fans don’t even get mad. That you can beat the other 41 guys, too, and instead of sulking in the garage area, a crowd of them comes to a Victory Lane that isn’t theirs to shake your hand and congratulate you. Imagine one very happy race winner, and 42 satisfied losers.
Unimaginable? Not any more. Why?
Because Mark Martin did that.
— Source: NASCAR
What you can bring to Talladega Superspeedway
Allowed
■ Binoculars, cameras, headsets, etc., worn separately around the neck or belt are allowed, along with seat cushions carries separately.■ Cell phones, scanners, pagers and radios can be clipped to the belt.
■ One soft-sided bag no larger than 6x6x12 inches. Soft-sided bags include insulated coolers, scanner and camera bags, fanny packs, pursues, diaper bags, etc. They may also contain ice. All soft-sided bags are subject to search.
■ One clear plastic bag no larger than 18x18x4 inches. Clear bags may be used to carry items such as: Scanners, apparel, cameras, snacks and canned beverages. They may not contain ice. All bags are subject to search.
Not allowed
■ Items not allowed include: Hard-sided coolers, backpacks, thermos bottles and insulated cups on any size; strollers, umbrellas, etc.; any bags, or containers larger than the allowable size of 6x6x12 inches. For fans’ safety, any items left unattended in or around the gate area will be removed and disposed of. Talladega Superspeedway assumes no responsibility.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
NASCAR Numerology — The Lineage Behind The No. 9
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Kasey Kahne has the ride. Bill Elliott has the history.
And together, the two drivers represent the vast majority of accomplishments by the No. 9 car in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, with some of the most memorable taking place at Talladega Superspeedway — site of Sunday's Aaron's 499.
And just how appropriate is it, that when Elliott decided to step away from racing full-time, he served as a mentor to Kahne, helping prepare the young driver to take over the No. 9 — a car number that had become forever part of NASCAR lore with Elliott behind the wheel.
Elliott made 446 starts in the No. 9 between 1976 and 2003 — out of 1,300 total starts among 97 drivers. The No. 9 had 49 victories coming into the 2009 season; Elliott had 38, followed by Kahne (nine), Donald Thomas (one) and Herb Thomas (one).
Two of those victories for Elliott came at Talladega, during a time when Elliott was the man at NASCAR's two biggest tracks, Talladega and Daytona. Elliott and the red-and-gold No. 9 Coors Thunderbird more or less ruled the high banks in the mid-1980s, before the safety-oriented mandate of carburetor restrictor plates.
Elliott had six poles in a row at Talladega from 1984-87; the fifth pole in that run was a history-maker. Elliott set an all-time NASCAR qualifying record on April 30, 1987 at 'Dega, averaging 212.809 mph.
Due to the advent of plates, the record still stands today and likely will stand forever.
Kahne, who drives the modern incarnation of the No. 9 — it's a Budweiser-sponsored Dodge — has added considerably to the number's legacy in only five years. He has nine victories, including a series-leading six during the 2006 season.
It all began for the No. 9 in the second race of the very first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (then called Strictly Stock), on the old Daytona beach-road course, with Herb Thomas driving. Herb also got the number's first victory, in 1952 at North Wilkesboro. Herb's brother Donald got the second win for the No. 9 in the very next '52 race, at Lakewood Speedway in Atlanta.
— Source: NASCAR
And together, the two drivers represent the vast majority of accomplishments by the No. 9 car in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, with some of the most memorable taking place at Talladega Superspeedway — site of Sunday's Aaron's 499.And just how appropriate is it, that when Elliott decided to step away from racing full-time, he served as a mentor to Kahne, helping prepare the young driver to take over the No. 9 — a car number that had become forever part of NASCAR lore with Elliott behind the wheel.
Elliott made 446 starts in the No. 9 between 1976 and 2003 — out of 1,300 total starts among 97 drivers. The No. 9 had 49 victories coming into the 2009 season; Elliott had 38, followed by Kahne (nine), Donald Thomas (one) and Herb Thomas (one).
Two of those victories for Elliott came at Talladega, during a time when Elliott was the man at NASCAR's two biggest tracks, Talladega and Daytona. Elliott and the red-and-gold No. 9 Coors Thunderbird more or less ruled the high banks in the mid-1980s, before the safety-oriented mandate of carburetor restrictor plates.
Elliott had six poles in a row at Talladega from 1984-87; the fifth pole in that run was a history-maker. Elliott set an all-time NASCAR qualifying record on April 30, 1987 at 'Dega, averaging 212.809 mph.
Due to the advent of plates, the record still stands today and likely will stand forever.
Kahne, who drives the modern incarnation of the No. 9 — it's a Budweiser-sponsored Dodge — has added considerably to the number's legacy in only five years. He has nine victories, including a series-leading six during the 2006 season.
It all began for the No. 9 in the second race of the very first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (then called Strictly Stock), on the old Daytona beach-road course, with Herb Thomas driving. Herb also got the number's first victory, in 1952 at North Wilkesboro. Herb's brother Donald got the second win for the No. 9 in the very next '52 race, at Lakewood Speedway in Atlanta.
— Source: NASCAR
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Aaron’s 499 Weekend Notes — 40 Years of Racing
In 2009, Talladega Superspeedway proudly celebrates 40 years of the most competitive racing in NASCAR. While the track has seen changes made to the cars that circle its high banks, the surface that they race on and the grandstands that thousands of fans fill twice a year, one constant remains; Talladega Superspeedway is authentic NASCAR racing at its finest.
Key terms that describe NASCAR weekends at Talladega Superspeedway:
• Close, thrilling finishes
• Side-by-side racing
• Phenomenon
• Legendary/historic
• Fast/high speed
• Fan-friendly
• Authentic NASCAR
• Friends get together
Talladega Superspeedway makes it more affordable and convenient for fans:
• Low-priced tickets still available for the Aaron’s 499.
• The best deal in 40 years — grandstand tickets for Aaron’s 499 start at $40.
• Dega Dollar Combo — $45 gets a reserved seat and 10 “Dega Dollars” useable at Americrown food concessions.
• Infield one-day tickets reduced 40% to $40.
• Fairway to Speedway — two tickets to Aaron’s 499 and two rounds of golf playable at nine of the 11 RTJ championship golf courses for only $200 — 25% savings.
• Updated hospitality offerings including new tent design, layout, entertainment and free beverages.
Lower priced concessions and new menu items:
• Fans save 25% with combo value meals (cheeseburger or hotdog w/ fries and drink). NEW
• “The Big One” — 1/3 pound hot dog served with a special Speedway Sauce. NEW
• Branded foods onsite — Papa John’s Pizza, Boardwalk Fries and Juicy’s Outlaw Grill. NEW
Continued convenience and value:
• New pedestrian bridge over the 30-lane main entrance for improved fan traffic flow and safety.
• Free camping available as well as free parking on property.
• Fans can still bring their own food and beverage in approved coolers.
SPECIAL NOTE: TSS President Rick Humphrey presented Samson Mayor Clay King with 1,000 tickets. to the Aaron’s 499 for emergency workers and town residents in hopes of providing some relief and excitement to the devastated Geneva County town. Samson was the site of a horrific mass shooting on March 10 that left 11 people dead and an entire community grieving.
First Class Entertainment/Dignitaries:
• Nick Saban, University of Alabama Head Football Coach — Grand Marshal for the Aaron’s 499
• Miss America 2009, Katie Stam, will perform the National Anthem prior to the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway and visit fans in the Dodge Speedway Sports Club and Pepsi Pit Tour Experience Zone hospitality areas.
• More than 10 driver appearances throughout the weekend including the MRN at Full SPEED fan forum Sunday at 9 a.m. on the SPEED stage and special appearances at Intl. Motorsports Hall of Fame.
• Country/Rock duo LoCash Cowboys to headline free infield concert at Talladega Superspeedway.
Source: NASCAR
Key terms that describe NASCAR weekends at Talladega Superspeedway:
• Close, thrilling finishes
• Side-by-side racing
• Phenomenon
• Legendary/historic
• Fast/high speed
• Fan-friendly
• Authentic NASCAR
• Friends get together
Talladega Superspeedway makes it more affordable and convenient for fans:
• Low-priced tickets still available for the Aaron’s 499.
• The best deal in 40 years — grandstand tickets for Aaron’s 499 start at $40.
• Dega Dollar Combo — $45 gets a reserved seat and 10 “Dega Dollars” useable at Americrown food concessions.
• Infield one-day tickets reduced 40% to $40.
• Fairway to Speedway — two tickets to Aaron’s 499 and two rounds of golf playable at nine of the 11 RTJ championship golf courses for only $200 — 25% savings.
• Updated hospitality offerings including new tent design, layout, entertainment and free beverages.
Lower priced concessions and new menu items:
• Fans save 25% with combo value meals (cheeseburger or hotdog w/ fries and drink). NEW
• “The Big One” — 1/3 pound hot dog served with a special Speedway Sauce. NEW
• Branded foods onsite — Papa John’s Pizza, Boardwalk Fries and Juicy’s Outlaw Grill. NEW
Continued convenience and value:
• New pedestrian bridge over the 30-lane main entrance for improved fan traffic flow and safety.
• Free camping available as well as free parking on property.
• Fans can still bring their own food and beverage in approved coolers.
SPECIAL NOTE: TSS President Rick Humphrey presented Samson Mayor Clay King with 1,000 tickets. to the Aaron’s 499 for emergency workers and town residents in hopes of providing some relief and excitement to the devastated Geneva County town. Samson was the site of a horrific mass shooting on March 10 that left 11 people dead and an entire community grieving.
First Class Entertainment/Dignitaries:
• Nick Saban, University of Alabama Head Football Coach — Grand Marshal for the Aaron’s 499
• Miss America 2009, Katie Stam, will perform the National Anthem prior to the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway and visit fans in the Dodge Speedway Sports Club and Pepsi Pit Tour Experience Zone hospitality areas.
• More than 10 driver appearances throughout the weekend including the MRN at Full SPEED fan forum Sunday at 9 a.m. on the SPEED stage and special appearances at Intl. Motorsports Hall of Fame.
• Country/Rock duo LoCash Cowboys to headline free infield concert at Talladega Superspeedway.
Source: NASCAR
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
NASCAR Numerology — The Lineage Behind The No. 8
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Aric Almirola is the latest driver to drive the No. 8 car in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition. As for who is the greatest, let the debate begin.
And believe it not, that debate does not begin and end with Dale Earnhardt Jr., his considerable success notwithstanding. Instead, a pretty convincing case can be made for Joe Weatherly being "the man" when it comes to the No. 8's legacy.
Weatherly made 110 starts in the No. 8 between 1961-64, winning 20 times and capturing back-to-back NASCAR Sprint Cup championships in 1962 and '63. Weatherly, who died in a racing accident at Riverside, Calif., in '64, was named in 1998 to the elite list of "NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers."
Earnhardt made 291 starts in the No. 8 from 1999-2007, continuing a family alignment with the number. His grandfather, Ralph Earnhardt, drove the No. 8 in the 1950s and '60s in NASCAR Sportsman competition and other short-track events.
An interesting aside: The grandfather made 51 starts in NASCAR Sprint Cup competition but none were in the No. 8. The grandson won 17 times in the No. 8, most notably the 2004 Daytona 500.
And then there's this historical gem which can't be overlooked: Eventual seven-time series champion Dale Earnhardt even made one NASCAR Sprint Cup start in the No. 8 — his series debut in the 1975 Coca-Cola 600.
While the No. 8�s all-time history in NASCAR Sprint Cup is spread out among 86 drivers and 1,319 starts, the total number of times the number has visited Victory Lane is attributable to a surprisingly small group. The No. 8 accounts for 38 wins. In addition to the win totals of Weatherly and Dale Earnhardt Jr., the only other No. 8 win was provided by Bobby Hillin Jr. at Talladega Superspeedway in the summer of 1986.
Those are some strange statistics to grasp, especially considering the history-rich "family tree" of the No. 8. Consider: The 1950 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Bill Rexford had two starts in the number; Jeff Burton had 59; Mark Martin had 24; Dick Trickle, Hut Stricklin and Morgan Shepherd also took the No. 8 out for some afternoon spins.
And then there�s Ed Negre, who may have lacked quality finishes but certainly not quantity. Negre made 283 starts in the No. 8 between 1967 and 2007, second only to Earnhardt�s 291. Negre, who usually owned the cars he raced, failed to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup race during his career.
Almirola, driving for the Earnhardt-Ganassi organization, will attempt to make his 18th start on Sunday in the Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.
— Source: NASCAR
And believe it not, that debate does not begin and end with Dale Earnhardt Jr., his considerable success notwithstanding. Instead, a pretty convincing case can be made for Joe Weatherly being "the man" when it comes to the No. 8's legacy.Weatherly made 110 starts in the No. 8 between 1961-64, winning 20 times and capturing back-to-back NASCAR Sprint Cup championships in 1962 and '63. Weatherly, who died in a racing accident at Riverside, Calif., in '64, was named in 1998 to the elite list of "NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers."
Earnhardt made 291 starts in the No. 8 from 1999-2007, continuing a family alignment with the number. His grandfather, Ralph Earnhardt, drove the No. 8 in the 1950s and '60s in NASCAR Sportsman competition and other short-track events.
An interesting aside: The grandfather made 51 starts in NASCAR Sprint Cup competition but none were in the No. 8. The grandson won 17 times in the No. 8, most notably the 2004 Daytona 500.
And then there's this historical gem which can't be overlooked: Eventual seven-time series champion Dale Earnhardt even made one NASCAR Sprint Cup start in the No. 8 — his series debut in the 1975 Coca-Cola 600.
While the No. 8�s all-time history in NASCAR Sprint Cup is spread out among 86 drivers and 1,319 starts, the total number of times the number has visited Victory Lane is attributable to a surprisingly small group. The No. 8 accounts for 38 wins. In addition to the win totals of Weatherly and Dale Earnhardt Jr., the only other No. 8 win was provided by Bobby Hillin Jr. at Talladega Superspeedway in the summer of 1986.
Those are some strange statistics to grasp, especially considering the history-rich "family tree" of the No. 8. Consider: The 1950 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Bill Rexford had two starts in the number; Jeff Burton had 59; Mark Martin had 24; Dick Trickle, Hut Stricklin and Morgan Shepherd also took the No. 8 out for some afternoon spins.
And then there�s Ed Negre, who may have lacked quality finishes but certainly not quantity. Negre made 283 starts in the No. 8 between 1967 and 2007, second only to Earnhardt�s 291. Negre, who usually owned the cars he raced, failed to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup race during his career.
Almirola, driving for the Earnhardt-Ganassi organization, will attempt to make his 18th start on Sunday in the Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.
— Source: NASCAR
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