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NASCAR: Martin Toughs It Out

5 October 1999

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
After his dominating victory in the Valvoline Ford Taurus Sept. 26 at Dover Downs, Mark Martin admitted to reporters he plans back surgery to fuse two degenerative discs, immediately following the NASCAR season finale at Atlanta in November. "I need it, and I can't wait until I end my racing career to do it," Martin said. "My back is basically intolerable. I feel like it's taken part of my manhood away, because I can't grab a piece of furniture and move it, or I can't get on the floor and wrestle with my son."

Martin is third in the Winston Cup point standings. He is the defending winner of this Sunday's race at Charlotte.

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF AMERICA UPDATE: Mark Martin's on-track performance in the Valvoline Ford, combined with contributions from Valvoline and NASCAR fans, has brought the current total raised for Big Brothers Big Sisters to $154,409. Valvoline is donating $5,000 for every Winston Cup race Martin wins this season, $2,500 for each pole, and $20 for every lap he leads in this "Caring Hands" program. The 13th of 15 planned trackside fund-raisers, where fans can put their handprints on a canvas wall, receive a commemorative button, and make donations, will be Nov. 6 at Phoenix.

Editors Note: For hundreds of hot racing photos and racing art, be sure to visit The Racing ImageGalleries and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.