NASCAR WCUP: Martin Seeks to Improve on 1998 Performance
5 January 1999
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It was hard to tell such a dramatic change took place because Martin and his new cast took off immediately. They won in only their third race together as Martin dominated the inaugural Las Vegas 400 in March and then won four races later at Texas. In all, Martin won a career-high seven times in 1998 and waged a dramatic battle with Jeff Gordon throughout the second half of the season. In addition to Las Vegas and Texas, Martin gained victories at California, Michigan, Bristol, Dover and Charlotte. He finished second six times during the year, including four straight times to Gordon, who finally shook Martin after he suffered an engine problem and finished 40th at Darlington in September.
Statistically, Martin was among the leaders in nearly every category last season. He led the most laps of anyone with 1,730 and ranked second in wins with seven, top 10s with 26 and top fives with 22. Martin's second-place finish in the point standings represented the 10th straight season he has been sixth or better in the final standings, and marked the third time he has earned runner-up honors. What makes his performance even more impressive is that he did it despite suffering from back pain much of the year.
With his victories at Las Vegas, California and Texas, Martin has now won at least one NASCAR Winston Cup event at every active race track except four -- New Hampshire, Pocono, Indianapolis and Daytona. The 1999 season marks Homestead's first appearance on the NASCAR Winston Cup schedule.
Martin enters the 1999 campaign with 29 career victories and more than $17 million in career earnings. His success, however, isn't limited to just NASCAR Winston Cup. In fact, Martin is the all-time winningest driver in the history of the Busch Grand National Series and IROC competition. Martin's two Busch wins last year increased his total to 34 for his career, which is three more than Jack Ingram. In addtion, he captured a record fourth IROC championship and his third straight in '98.
Recognized as one of the best all-around racers, Martin demonstrated just how talented he is back in 1995 when he won on every type of track possible. He posted victories on a superspeedway (Talladega), road course (Watkins Glen), short track (North Wilkesboro) and intermediate track (Charlotte).
A four-time ASA champion, Martin made his NASCAR Winston Cup debut in 1981 as he competed in five races and captured two poles. He ran full-time in '82 and finished second in the battle for rookie of the year to Geoff Bodine after posting a pair of top-five finishes in 30 starts. Competed on only a limited basis the next five years in Winston Cup before returning as Jack Roush's driver in '88. He gained his first Cup victory at Rockingham in '89 when he finished third in the point standings, and won three more times in '90 while finishing second overall to Dale Earnhardt.
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