Mark Martin "That was fun"

Ever since Mark Martin joined forces with Hendrick Motorsports to start the 2009 racing season, he has taken on the identity of a race car driver from the past that is quietly showing the younger generation of fan, just how dominant he was during his younger years. Martins display of youthfulness is a breath of fresh air, during a time when all the focus seems to be riding on the shoulders of a few drivers who are hell bent on keeping all the attention on themselves.
When you think about a dream season, its usually a season that far excels a drivers expectations beyond his wildest imagination. It can also be used to gauge a maturity level, that all of our drivers are trying to reach while driving in one the most grueling racing series in out modern day.

At the young age of 50, does this statement hold true for Mark Martin who is not having one of the most consistent seasons, with his five top five’s, and nine top 10 finishes. Its hard to believe that a driver who has four wins while leading the Sprint Cup series, is still in danger of not making the chase while barely clinging on to an 11 point cushion from dropping out of the top 12?
Its not hard to see that Martin still has a lot of fight left in him, as yet he continues to make this dream season a reality.“I was going to go down fighting. The high side was the best side for me. So I was going down fighting." Not even when adversity tried to put a damper on him getting his fourth win of the season did Martin crumble like a week old Christmas cookie, but instead he held his ground and kept his focus.

“Well, the double-file restarts are really here to mess up the best car and that is what makes it exciting for the fans. We got shuffled back to third there. You know, we were just trying to make the best race of it we could.” When you look back to Martins other three wins, the 50-year-old Martin who won from the pole. Was able to streak away from Tony Stewart after a restart with six laps remaining to win the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.

Martin became the oldest driver to win in the series since Morgan Shepherd won at age 51, and at the same time broke a 97 winless streak which dated back to Oct. 9, 2005. Martin was able to validate his first win, while proving to his fellow competitors that he was not out of his league when he took the checkers for his second win of the season. So as the music played and the infamous stripes are given away, it was Martin who danced with the, “The lady in black.”
Martin was able to tame the untamable track that is known as Darlington Speedway , and at the same time he held of his Hedrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson for his second win of the season. His patience along with his many years of experience played a major role in him finally getting to visit an old friend from the past. Mark waited 11 long years to get back to victory lane, and the chance to relive some old memories with the track known as Michigan Speedway.

This race was on gas mileage as the two race leaders Jimmie Johnson, and Greg Biffle both ran out of gas while headed for the finish line. Martin would finish ahead of his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon. Four races later, and Martin would once again beat the four time champion, and his teammate Jeff Gordon to keep himself within reach of making the chase for the Sprint cup championship.

“We knew that the Champ with fresh tires could probably suck me around too on that first corner there. I didn’t want him on the outside. I knew there was a good chance the same thing could have happened.” Martin has been a driver on a mission, and just like every other driver is still trying to get used to the double file restarts. "Well, the double-file restarts are really here to mess up the best car and that is what makes it exciting for the fans. And it did, it messed us up.”
But that didn’t stop Martin from the dominating performance that he displayed while leading a race high, as well as track record 195 out of the 267 laps that were run. Mark Martin continues to show the racing world that he is not yet ready to hang up his helmet just yet, even though NASCAR has already given him his rocking chair. From the youthfulness that Martin continues to display each week. Its easy to see how he can sum up winning in just these few short words. “That was fun! That’s what life’s all about right there.” I’m out.