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NASCAR: Martin Deals with Racing's Highs and Lows

26 October 1999

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
With just three races left in the Winston Cup season, Mark Martin remains third in the standings, following his sixth-place result last Sunday at Rockingham. Martin, who has two wins this year in the Valvoline Ford Taurus, has often been described as the best driver who has yet to win the Winston Cup championship. With Dale Jarrett seemingly posed to take his first title, Martin talked about the emotional highs-and-lows a NASCAR racer must deal with during a season and a career.

"There's a whole lot of things, once you start to get a little older, that you reflect on that you didn't before," said Martin, 40. "I talk to (protege) Matt Kenseth a lot and he struggles with the same things that I struggled with, feelings and emotions, as you come along. I've had more races won in Winston Cup racing, and then had them pulled away, than I've actually won. When you think about all the ones you didn't win, that you should of, could of or might of, and didn't, it's pretty incredible. But, by the way, we have racked up a pretty good number (31).

"I never thought I was the best that ever was at any time throughout my career. That's not how I view myself. What I've tried to do is accomplish what I could accomplish. Usually, it was more than I expected."

Martin won the pole at Rockingham, his first of the campaign, guaranteeing himself a chance to defend his win in the Bud Shootout at Daytona next February. The pole also meant a $2,500 donation from Valvoline to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

Next is the Checker Auto Parts 500 kilometers at Phoenix on Nov. 7, where Martin won in 1993 and finished second in 1992, 1994, 1996 and 1998. Martin's Taurus will carry the Eagle One car care products colors for thisrace.

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 $172,550. 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.