Mark Martin

Mark Martin is a professional race car driver on the NASCAR circuit.

On April 18, 2009, Mark Martin became the oldest driver ever to win a Sprint Cup race at the Phoenix International Raceway. He was age 50 at the time of the race. Martin started the race in the pole position and led 157 out of 312 laps. It was the 36th victory of his career.Auto Racing Daily: Phoenix International Raceway Results (April 19, 2009)

Mark’s NASCAR career can really be broken up into four chapters. He came to the top series way back in 1981 with his own team. He ran just five races that first year but was able to win two poles. In 1982 he ran a full Cup schedule with his own team and registered ten top ten finishes. Unable to keep his own team going he drover a partial schedule in 1983 for a variety of owners including a stint with Morgan-McClure Racing and the #4 car.

After the 1983 season he returned to his ASA racing routes, and ran just five cup races in 1986 and one in 1987. During this period Mark won his fourth ASA title, and earned a full time ride in what is now known at the Nationwide series. In 1987 Mark won three races in this division and attracted the interest of team owner Jack Roush. http://www.hendrickmotorsports.com/Mark-Martin-Kelloggs-Racing-Team-5_dBio.asp?team=1&pers=758

Roush Hired Mark to drive his #6 car, and it was a relationship that lasted 19 years. In that time Mark won 35 races, scored 230 top five and 361 top ten finishes. He would also finish second in the points four separate times in his time at Roush. He lost the 1990 title to Dale Earnhardt Sr. by just 26 points.

While he was competing for titles in the Cup series, Mark was setting records running the #60 car in the Nationwide Series part time. While Mark has competed in just one full time season in this series he is the all time wins leader with 48, and the all time pole positions winner with 30. In 2006 Mark was named the greatest Nationwide Series driver of all time.

Following the 2006 season Mark semi retired from the sport to spend time with his son Matt, and help him develop his own racing career. In the 2007-08 seasons he made just 48 cup series stars driving the #01 and #8 Chevy’s first for Bobby Ginn and alter for DEI. In the #01 he very nearly won the 2007 Daytona 500.

Once he son decided he did not want to pursue a career in racing, Mark felt the fire to return to the cup series full time. Mark did so in 2009 driving the #5 car for Rick Hendrick. The team responded by winning five times in 2009. http://racing-reference.info/driver/martima01

Mark has a contract with Hendrick to drive the #5 car through the 2011 season. However that might be somewhat in doubt as Hendrick Motorsports has hired Kasey Kahne to drive for them starting in 2011. Due to NASCAR ownership limits there is currently not a Hendrick car available for Kahne to drive, at this moment it is not clear where Mark and Kasey will drive in 2011.

"..the guy is just a natural and he works hard at it, and he keeps himself in great shape. You know, he's just very disciplined and dedicated and driven, a very competitive guy, and you put him in top-notch equipment and there's just no telling what he's capable of doing."—Jeff GordonESPN.com: Mark Martin

"Mark is as good as anybody on the racetrack. When you compare drivers, he's as complete of a driver as anybody on the track and as good as anybody else on the track...he's such a good, positive person. He's a great role model, hes a great leader...he's one of the most down-to-earth, appreciative people I've been around."—Alan Gustafson, crew chiefESPN.com: Mark Martin

• 2009: Subway Fresh Fit 500
• 2009: Southern 500
• 2009: Life Lock 400 MIS
• 2009: Life Lock.com 400 Chicago
• 2009: Sylvania 300
• 2005: Banquet 400
• 2005: NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge
• 2004: MBNA 400 A Salute to Heroes
• 2003: Coca-Cola 600
• 2000: Advance Auto Parts 500
• 1999: Subway 400
• 1999: Budweiser Shootout
• 1998: UAW-GM Quality 500
• 1998: MBNA America 400
• 1998: Sharpie 500
• 1998: DHL 400
• 1998: NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge
• 1998: Auto Club 500
• 1998: Samsung/RadioShack 500
• 1998: UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400
• 1997: MBNA America 400
• 1997: GFS Marketplace 400
• 1997: Aaron's 499
• 1997: Dodge/Save Mart 350
• 1995: UAW-GM Quality 500
• 1995: Tyson Holly Farms 400
• 1995: Sirius at The Glen
• 1995: Aaron's 499
• 1994: Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500
• 1994: Sirius at The Glen
• 1993: Checker Auto Parts 500
• 1993: Mountain Dew Southern 500
• 1993: Sharpie 500
• 1993: GFS Marketplace 400
• 1993: Sirius at The Glen
• 1992: UAW-GM Quality 500
• 1992: Advance Auto Parts 500
• 1991: Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500
• 1990: Tyson Holly Farms 400
• 1990: GFS Marketplace 400
• 1990: Chevy American Revolution 400
• 1989: Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400