On the Right Track
A NASCAR BLOG BY Jeff Gluck
Mark Martin provides hope for 2009
The start of the season isn't in sight quite yet, especially with the lack of testing blunting the traditional preseason hype.
And without testing, it’s a little hard to be excited about the season with Daytona Speedweeks still nearly a month away. After all, when I think about 2009, I think “more of the same.”
More Jimmie Johnson. More Jimmie Johnson vs. Carl Edwards. More Jimmie Johnson vs. Kyle Busch. More Carl Edwards vs. Kyle Busch. Some combination of those.
I don’t foresee a lot of new and exciting names at the front of the field this year, though I hope I’m wrong.
The one story line that could save the entire season is a rejuvenated Mark Martin contending for both the Chase For The Sprint Cup and ultimately, the championship.
Martin’s union with Hendrick Motorsports should give him the opportunity to make one last run at a Cup title – at least in theory. We’ve seen promising partnerships turn into busts before, but at age 50, Martin still seems to provide some hope.
Tell me Martin going head to head with – and beating – some of the top young stars in the sport wouldn’t grab your interest. Who wouldn’t want to see Martin track down Busch at some midsummer race and pass him on the last lap for the points lead? That’s good stuff.
The old guy showing a little fight would go a long way for NASCAR this year.
Jeff Gluck
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Jeff Gluck has covered NASCAR since 2004. He has worked for NASCAR Scene as an associate editor since 2007.
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Comments
11 responses to "Mark Martin provides hope for 2009". Post a Comment.
david larison said:
Jan 7, 2009 at 3:43 PMAs a Martin fan that would be the ultimate feel good story of 2009.
Michael Daly said:
Jan 7, 2009 at 5:48 PMSorry, but Mark Martin lost me when he lied about retirement, and his lack of killer instinct as a racer means he'll never win a title or contend for one anymore. The sport needs far more than Mark Martin to generate more interest.
Carmen Chapman said:
Jan 8, 2009 at 12:35 PMI agree 100% with you, David!! That would be COOL!!!
Robert Murphy said:
Jan 8, 2009 at 3:44 PMMark can take a taxicab off the street and have a top 10 finish in it. With the cutback on track testing Mark will have an advantage because he's 'been there and done that' at all the tracks and will have his car dialed in quicker than most of the other drivers.
Bernadette Motherway said:
Jan 9, 2009 at 4:48 PMI really hopes he does well this year. How can you not like Mark?
Sarah Oxfurth said:
Jan 9, 2009 at 9:37 PMMichael, I admit I was a little bothered by Mark's "retirement" but in the end, I just realized, I don't think HE realized how much he'd miss it. He's a racer-and it's hard to give it up.
Andrew Briscoe said:
Jan 10, 2009 at 12:42 AMMark Martin is a favorite to win all the time anyway. Now that he's got the best equipment under him and a crew chief that gets fired up as easily as Alan Gustafson does next to him and leading him, Mark should be the preseason favorite to give anyone a run for the Championship. I think that he could come out of the box and win at Daytona.
P K SMITH said:
Jan 11, 2009 at 1:34 AMMark has found personal success in every team he has driven for or even touched, since joining Roush. It would be very difficult to challenge the AMOUNT OF RESPECT people have towards Mark. He's loved by many involved BOTH on and off the track in the Nascar community. Even if Mark doesn't win the Chase in 2009, it will be an HONOR being able to watch his professionalism and the POWERFUL racing he'll provide us throughout the season with Hendrick! This sport is blessed to have him as a "mentor" to some of the newer "Hot Shots of the Cup"! Now, if those "Hot Shots" would ONLY pay some attention to learn from the likes of Mark, Jeff Burton and Matt Kenseth, (all Roush drivers at one time in their careers), to see why they've found such CONTINUED SUCCESS in racing. ;) HUMILITY is a TRUE VIRTUE!!!
Bernadette Motherway said:
Jan 11, 2009 at 6:27 PMOMG Andrew (#7), would that be great!?
teresa beachler said:
Jan 13, 2009 at 10:43 PMI hope Mark has a good year
Jo Ann Nelson said:
Feb 18, 2009 at 1:15 PMI like Mark Martin a lot, but he seems unwilling to take chances. If he is going to be in the Chase, win races, and or the championship, maybe his "nice guy" image needs to be a little tarnished around the edges. Jo Ann Nelson