Martin sticking with prediction that he'll win at Indy this year

By SceneDaily Staff

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

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Rusty Jarrett / Getty Images for NASCAR

Mark Martin surprised many people when he boldly predicted in June that he would win this year’s race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

So far, he hasn’t changed his mind.

Martin, who is seeking his first win in the Allstate 400, says Sunday could be the day when he and his No. 8 Dale Earnhardt Inc. team break into victory lane.

"I've been looking to this race for quite some time actually,” Martin said. “A few weeks ago, we kind of shocked everyone in the media center when I said that we were going to Indy looking to win the Brickyard 400, but I meant what I said. Indy is one of the crown jewels of racing and we have the team that can get it done.

"Our car was awesome at Phoenix and Richmond and we parked it after that in order to have it for the Brickyard 400. What we learned at those tracks should really apply well at Indy and I'm excited about our chances this weekend.”

 In 14 starts at the 2.5-mile oval, Martin has five top-five finishes and nine top-10s. Martin  has been close to winning at Indianapolis before in NASCAR Cup competition, finishing second to Jeff Gordon in 1998.

As Martin noted, he also believes he has reason for optimism because of his finishes earlier this season at Phoenix and Richmond, where he placed fifth and third, respectively. Like Indianapolis, both tracks feature flat, tight corners with minimal banking.

"This U.S. Army Team is strong enough on pit road and [crew chief] Tony Gibson and the guys on this team are due a win,” said Martin, who is seeking to give the No. 8 team its first victory since winning with driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Richmond in May 2006. “Nothing will make me happier than to see their faces in victory lane.”

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While some might consider Martin a long shot to win Sunday, the driver believes Indianapolis is fertile ground to score his first victory since 2005.

“Sometimes miracles happen and it all works out,” he said. “It almost did at Daytona for us last year, and Daytona and the Brickyard are the two that would be crown jewels of my career. This team can do it."

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Comments

2 responses to "Martin sticking with prediction that he'll win at Indy this year"
  1. 1
    Rex Lee said:
    Jul 22, 2008 at 12:51 PM

    I wish Mark Martin good luck at Indy. We used to go up to Missouri on Friday nights. Mark and Rusty Wallace were racing there alot back then. I'm a Smoke fan now.But those were good times back in the 70's hanging out in the pits watching those guys go at it with the local boys. Racin' and fightin'. Thats what Friday were for at the fairgrounds speedway in Spingfield Missouri.

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  2. 2
    Mark Ernst said:
    Jul 22, 2008 at 7:07 PM

    I agree Rex,those were when racing was fun. Listend to Jr tonight on Shifting Gears that he would have rather drove back then. I wonder how he would have raced back then? Would he have drove like Sr did and then back off to how he drives today? Which Nascar had some brass and just let them race. Bump me and the next time you come close game on.

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