NASCAR's Marlin Back In The Saddle - Talladega Test

December 12, 2002; Jenna Fryer writing for the AP reported that Sterling Marlin got back in a race car for the first time in almost three months Monday when he tested the No. 40 Dodge at Talladega Superspeedway.

Marlin, who led the Winston Cup points for 25 weeks this season, was sidelined in late September when he broke a vertebra in his neck in a wreck at Kansas.

Doctors cleared him last week to race again, so he went to the two-day manufacturer's test at Talladega, where he ran the fastest lap among all teams participating.

"Lord, yeah," he said when asked if it felt good to be back in the car. "It went good, felt normal. I just got in and did what I've always done, drove the car and it felt real good to be back."

Marlin was joined on the track by his Chip Ganassi Racing teammates Jamie McMurray and Casey Mears, drivers Bill Elliott and Jeremy Mayfield of Evernham Motorsports, Kyle Petty from Petty Enterprises and Ward Burton and Scott Wimmer from Bill Davis Racing.

Also at the test was Ryan Newman and Buddy Baker, who was assisting Newman as Penske Racing South switches from Fords to Dodges next season.

Marlin was knocked out of his car days before the series went to Talladega, and he missed the final seven races of the season. The injury cost him his shot at his first Winston Cup title and forced him to wear a bulky neck brace for over a month.

But he was cleared to race again on Dec. 5 and couldn't wait to get back in his car. McMurray drove it in his absence.

"It's healed up, so nothing was going to keep me away from this test," he said.

Marlin must continue strengthening his neck and will work with Ganassi team trainer Al Shuford the rest of the winter to ensure he's in top condition when the season opens in February.

"Ill continue with the strengthening and some of the stretching," Marlin said. "Lift some weights, things like that, but no therapy to speak of. I noticed my neck got a little weaker over the winter, so I'll lift some weights and build the strength back."