Martin enjoying working with young DEI teammates
By SceneDaily Staff Report
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Mark Martin is at Daytona International Speedway with a new car and a new crew, but that doesn't concern him. After all, the driver who turns 49 Wednesday has seen many changes over the course of his NASCAR Cup career.
Martin, who spent 19 seasons competing with team owner Jack Roush, says that people tend to look at that statistic and think he was with the same team for a long time. But while he was driving the No. 6 for the same team owner, he saw many changes within his crew and has worked with a host of men in Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck series races.
When he headed to Daytona last season for his first Cup race in 20 years without Roush, he admits that felt odd. He started 2007 with Ginn Racing and ended it with Dale Earnhardt Inc. after the teams merged. He now replaces Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the team's No. 8 that Earnhardt Jr. made famous. Recently, crew chief Ryan Pemberton left the team, and now Tony Gibson will lead Martin's effort.
"One of the things everyone has to remember is they thought I was in the No. 6 car for 19 years. I was, but I was with many different people throughout those years," Martin said. "I drove a lot of Busch cars and a lot of them were owned by Jack Roush, but still different teams. I drove trucks and this and that, so I've been doing this longer than people realize.
"They thought it was crazy when I went to the No. 01. My first day here last year testing was very awkward. Today has been 100 percent seamless. I'm 100 percent comfortable with the exception of being a little weak on names of some of the guys that are working on my car with their heads down and don't talk to me much. I've got to make more progress in that area, but I'm comfortable. The team is comfortable. I couldn't possibly ask for a warmer welcome than from Tony Gibson and these guys."
The teams have also had more time to learn about one another. The DEI merger created a four-car Cup operation, with Martin Truex Jr., Paul Menard and Regan Smith running full time this season and Martin and Aric Almirola sharing the fourth car.
Martin says the group is working closely together to improve as a unit. He admits that the original merger "was hard to get your arms around." Now all the teams are working out of one building, and Martin says everyone at DEI is working toward the common goal of being a "powerhouse" in NASCAR.
Martin doesn't mind being the oldest guy in the shop, either, instead continuing to embrace up-and-coming talent. The desire to work with younger drivers was part of what lured him into a part-time schedule, was. Now he's surrounded by them.
"It's just a terrific opportunity for me to work with some of the best up-and-coming talent in NASCAR," he said. "It touches my heart."
- Mentioned Drivers:
- Aric Almirola
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