On the Right Track
A NASCAR BLOG BY Jeff Gluck
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Martin: I plan to win Indy
Jun
7
LONG POND, Pa. – What did he just say?
Reporters stopped typing on their computers and looked up. Some exchanged surprised glances.
Did Mark Martin just say he was going to win at Indianapolis?
"I'm planning on winning the Brickyard in the No. 8 car," he said after a strong qualifying effort at Pocono. "I have never planned on anything more than my plan for the Brickyard. That's the crown jewel."
That kind of statement is extremely rare and unusual for Martin, and one wonders if he's ever said anything like that before.
Martin is a master at maintaining realistic or even low expectations, and always acts surprised or thrilled when things actually work out.
He's suffered through more close calls and disappointments without ultimately winning the big prizes than anyone. He's barely missed out on Cup titles, been edged in Daytona 500s. At times, he's been Mr. Heartbreak.
So where in the world did this statement come from? Martin firmly believes that his Dale Earnhardt Inc. team's flat-track program is strong, and the crew continues to improve.
"Sometimes it all works out and it almost did at Daytona last year for us," Martin said. "And Daytona and the Brickyard are the two that would be crown jewels of my career, and this team can do it. So that’s the place that I have targeted."
Race car drivers rarely look ahead, but Martin acknowledged he's already had discussions with his team and crew chief Tony Gibson about how they can win at Indianapolis.
"I had a long talk today about set-up stuff – bump-stops, shocks and springs set-up for Indy," he said. "And I talked last week to them about Indy and I talked the week before about Indy. So it’s on my mind."
Now it'll stick in many minds until the Allstate 400 on July 27.
Reporters stopped typing on their computers and looked up. Some exchanged surprised glances.
Did Mark Martin just say he was going to win at Indianapolis?
"I'm planning on winning the Brickyard in the No. 8 car," he said after a strong qualifying effort at Pocono. "I have never planned on anything more than my plan for the Brickyard. That's the crown jewel."
That kind of statement is extremely rare and unusual for Martin, and one wonders if he's ever said anything like that before.
Martin is a master at maintaining realistic or even low expectations, and always acts surprised or thrilled when things actually work out.
He's suffered through more close calls and disappointments without ultimately winning the big prizes than anyone. He's barely missed out on Cup titles, been edged in Daytona 500s. At times, he's been Mr. Heartbreak.
So where in the world did this statement come from? Martin firmly believes that his Dale Earnhardt Inc. team's flat-track program is strong, and the crew continues to improve.
"Sometimes it all works out and it almost did at Daytona last year for us," Martin said. "And Daytona and the Brickyard are the two that would be crown jewels of my career, and this team can do it. So that’s the place that I have targeted."
Race car drivers rarely look ahead, but Martin acknowledged he's already had discussions with his team and crew chief Tony Gibson about how they can win at Indianapolis.
"I had a long talk today about set-up stuff – bump-stops, shocks and springs set-up for Indy," he said. "And I talked last week to them about Indy and I talked the week before about Indy. So it’s on my mind."
Now it'll stick in many minds until the Allstate 400 on July 27.
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Comments
2 responses to "Martin: I plan to win Indy"
Worm Dirt said:
Jun 15, 2008 at 12:45 AMMy nose itches... Huh?... Whatever... Yawn....
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» Confirm Abuse Reportemily bagwell said:
Jun 15, 2008 at 5:45 PMBetter talk with Queen Teresa instead of Tony Gibson---You know she's all about racing!
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