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Stars aligning for Martin's best shot at title

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Lee Spencer

Lee Spencer is the senior NASCAR writer for FOXSports.com. She has provided award-winning coverage of auto racing over the last 15 years. Spencer has lent her expertise to both television and radio and is a regular contributor to SiriusXM Radio and the Performance Racing Network.

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Updated May 11, 2009 12:13 PM ET
     
 

DARLINGTON, N.C.

Don't expect Mark Martin to trade in his NASCAR license for an AARP card any time soon. Like most baby boomers, Martin is living life on his own terms. Sure, there was that lapse of judgment earlier this season when Martin traded his silver buzz cut for something out of a "Just for Men" commercial. Fortunately, Martin returned to his roots.
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And on Saturday night, when Martin dominated the closing laps of the Southern 500 at the oldest track on the Sprint Cup tour, it seemed as if NASCAR had returned to its roots as well. It was the Darlington Raceway of old: A country crooner sang the national anthem, there were 23 lead changes, cars a-blazing and a stripe that blackened around the outside wall of the 1.366-mile track as a blood red moon rose over Turn 1. Despite a record 17 cautions, the action never seemed to slow. Once the sand and speedy dry stopped swirling through the humid South Carolina night, Martin rolled into Victory Lane for his 37th-career Cup win. Now, this is what NASCAR Chairman Brian France needed when he spoke of "Back to Basics" racing. Martin is the poster boy for NASCAR's core fan — a dedicated wheelman who has won on all but five tracks on the Cup tour and scored 401 top 10s in 733 starts. Despite winning three American Speed Association titles, few believed in 1981 that the then 22-year-old Martin had paid his dues to compete at the Cup level. But despite struggling during that initial attempt, he would prove the pundits wrong. Martin went back to the Midwest, dominated the ASA again and returned full-time in 1988 with newcomer Jack Roush. Martin's 19-year relationship with Roush produced four runner-up finishes in the point standings but no championships. Roush has often accepted responsibility for not providing Martin with the caliber of equipment necessary to produce titles. But Martin would never refer to his loyalty to Roush as misguided. After all, it was Roush who gave Martin that second chance more than 20 years ago. So despite Martin's first attempt at retirement with the "Salute to You" tour in 2005, when Roush asked his friend to stay, how could he refuse?
After the 2006 season, however, Bobby Ginn made Martin an offer he couldn't refuse — a limited 24-race schedule (no Talladega) and an obscene salary. No, Martin has never raced for the money, but given his modest remuneration at Roush, Ginn's compensation was more in line with a racer who consistently delivered. In 19 full-time seasons, Martin finished outside of the top in points just three times. When FOX Sports first reported last June that Martin would replace Casey Mears in the No. 5 Chevrolet at Hendrick Motorsports, it came as no surprise. No, Martin didn't have the championships that Jeff Gordon or Jimmie Johnson boast. But Martin had proven time and again that he was not only a team player, he was a leader. Rick Hendrick desperately needed stability in the No. 5 car — something that was missing since Terry Labonte left the seat. "Mark is so much fun to be around," Hendrick said. "And he has so much talent. He's added so much to our organization. Not just to the 5 car, but to our entire organization. He's made all of us step up." Despite Martin's misfortune at the start of this season that included back-to-back engine failures at California and Las Vegas, the veteran has battled back from 34th in points to 11th in the last eight races by scoring two wins, three top-five's and six top 10s. Last Wednesday, Hendrick Motorsports officially reinforced its commitment to Martin — and the No. 5 team — by giving the driver the opportunity to return to a full season in 2010. Initially Martin was signed to a two-year contract with a limited season for next year. Martin capped off last week's announcement with his second Southern 500 victory. It was the first time Martin won multiple races in a season since 1999. In true Martin form, he refused to accept sole responsibility for the win. "This win was pure race team and (crew chief) Alan Gustafson," Martin said. "I'm in my second childhood right now (smiling). Alan says that I was one of his childhood heroes. Well, the tables are turned now. He's mine. "It's early in the year. A lot of cool things could happen yet this year the way things are going." Martin's pragmatic and humble manner won't allow him to forecast a championship. But considering that Martin is competing in the best equipment of his career, why not? After the most grueling race of the season this past weekend, Martin was in much better shape than most drivers half his age. Some have referred to Martin as pessimistic. He prefers cautiously optimistic. Martin is enjoying one of the best runs of his life, but his experience has taught him to "be careful." "All I want to do is be happy and have fun doing this," Martin said. "If you don't set yourself up for disappointment, then it's much easier. "It's okay to have the passion. It's okay to have the drive. But you can't let it tear you apart."
Tagged: Casey Mears, Jeff Gordon, Terry Labonte, Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin

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