TEAM REPORTS (DAYTONA, FLA.) - Martin Finishes 8th in Budweiser Shootout

Mark Martin finished eighth in Saturday night's Budweiser Shootout after picking up four positions in the final three laps. It was Martin’s 20th- consecutive start and 21st overall in the all-star event, which also marked his debut with the No. 8 on his U.S. Army Chevrolet.

“We had a really good horse out there tonight,” said Martin. “We had a lot of power with the Earnhardt/Childress engine package and were able to do some things on the track. I know it was only an eighth-place finish, but it was a lot stronger run than that."

“I wouldn’t be nervous at all if we were using this car in the Daytona 500 next week," added Martin. "But the U.S. Army Chevy we have for next week is a little stronger than this one. Hopefully we can come out and go after that Daytona 500 win for our soldiers.”

Martin, who started the 70-lap race at Daytona International Speedway from outside of the front row, flexed his muscle early by moving into the lead on Lap 4. He was eventually shuffled back through the field, but patiently positioned himself inside the top 10.

Martin moved into the top five with 10 laps to go, but lost his position when Denny Hamlin was able to get on the outside and pass him. Martin dropped as far back as 12th before picking up steam in the closing laps.

“We actually had a top-two or top-three car,” said No. 8 crew chief Tony Gibson. “Mark did a great job. We can’t wait to come back next week and see what we can do in a longer race, which suits Mark's style.”