You know I'll admit I'm not his biggest fan but I have always liked him whether he be racing in the #6 Viagra or #01 Army (liked that move). The thing that has me confused is why race if you just don't care anymore? Mark was within inches of winning the Daytona 500 and was the points leader but doesn't want to race a full schedule so he soon lost his spot at the top. Martin is a good driver and usually pretty consistent whether he be finishing in top 5 or 10 and I think he actually could have possibly done something in 1st place had he decided to race a full schedule. So my question to you guys is, if he's losing the "drive" to race... shouldn't he just retire completely and let somebody else step up and take over Army 01?
2007-07-31 16:26:47 · 15 answers · asked by ? 6 in Sports ➔ Auto Racing ➔ NASCAR
Philomel: Dude you just confused the hell out of me lol.
2007-07-31 16:39:28 · update #1
mm01fan: Whoa dude calm down! I was just asking a question lol, no need to get upset. As far as other drivers, the reason I ask this about Martin and not them is because drivers like Waltrip, Jarrett, and Petty WANT to race but just can't qualify because of a deline in their talent. Mark still has the ability and the car to race and be very competitive but chooses not to. My point is, with him its a choice, for the others its not.
2007-07-31 17:08:13 · update #2
Why worry about being in first place when all you have to do is worry about making the chase. I'm sure a little bit of his love for the sport has diminished with the massive changes that Nascar and the powers that be have decided what is best for the sport with no consideration to what the drivers and fans would want! Nascar still draws huge crowds, but it's biggest growth was when Mark was coming up through the ranks.
2007-07-31 17:21:47 · answer #1 · answered by Scott S 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do your research! Mark was going to retire after the '05 season. Roush begged him to return in '06 because he had no replacement driver. Mark did so but really wanted to just race a limited schedule. His son is coming up through the ranks as a legit racing talent. Roush inked a deal with him 2 years ago. So Mark wants to really help him and spend more time with his family. He has been racing since the early 80's. When GINN started his outfit last year, Mark was sought after as the veteran driver for the organization. Mark and Ginn agreed to terms with Mark's interests...
Racing a limited schedule. In return, he took on the responsibility of mentoring other talents (Regan Smith) and sharing the 01 ride with them. It works out for both sides. Now that he is with DEI, he will do the same to help that organization. Which will really need it after Junior departs at seasons end. I don't feel that you are a fan of Mark's at all! Questioning his "drive"??? He probably has more "drive" and passion for racing then most in the sport right now. Many are just there for the money and the limelight! He also has done a lot for the sport. It's good to see that a veteran old timer can still beat on those young guns. The reason he hasn't retired is because he can still drive that racecar better than 95% of the others out there. Hell, if he would have missed one less race this season... he'd be in the chase! That speaks volumes how good he is. Don't worry about Mark keeping someone from "stepping up and taking over Army 01". He is in the process of mentoring one to do so and at the same time kicking some butt on the track! Mark will go down as "THE" greatest driver in NASCAR history to have never won a championship. But he doesn't need one to be a champion in the hearts of his fans.
2007-07-31 21:17:03 · answer #2 · answered by mwwwilson 1 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Mark has NOT lost the "drive" to race. He has stated that while the hardware (trophies) is nice to have, the respect of the fans and his peers is more important. Of course he knows he has that. So he's decided to run a partial schedule, in order to spend more time with his family.
What he's negotiated with Ginn, and apparently will keep with DEI, is a dream deal for him. He races whenever he chooses, spends as much time with his family as he wants, gets to skip the races where he always gets wrecked anyway (Talladega), and can serve as a mentor to younger drivers. This last is something he enjoys and does well -- just ask Jeff Burton and Matt Kenseth.
Just because he's decided not to vie for the Cup this year, don't think for a minute that he "just doesn't care anymore." Every race he's in, he passionately wants to win, just like the younger drivers. You can see that in the way he drives. And it's important to him to be competitive. I don't think we'll see him go into a long sad decline like most older drivers . . . when he can't keep up any more, he'll quit.
Asked last year if he'd ever consider returning to a full-time schedule, Mark said "Never say never." I don't think he ever will though, he's enjoying his new freedom too much. I'm happy to cheer for him whenever he chooses to race.
I can think of a half-dozen OTHER veteran drivers you ought to ask your question about. Once they were contenders, winners, even champions. Now they just kind of drive around and maybe get in the top 30. Why even bother? Surely they don't need the money?
Edit: Nobody's upset here. Just thought you'd like a complete answer from a longtime Mark Martin fan.
2007-07-31 16:55:58 · answer #3 · answered by napoleon_in_rags 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I hope he races a partial schedule atleast for the next few years. hes a great man and I don't want to see him gone. It will be like losing a family member when he retires completely. I have watched him race since a i was a little kid.
2007-08-01 02:47:22 · answer #4 · answered by kitkat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why? He is racing as good as anybody else out there. Just because he wants to spend time with his family that makes him a bad guy? get a grip.
2007-08-01 00:15:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mark is just easing out slowly. He is a great racer who just wants more time with family. He just doesn't want to give up now. Why should he. He can have his cake and eat it too, so to speak At this point in his career, he's got it made.
Go Jr.>>>>
2007-07-31 19:52:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
well, ya know mark has spent a good part of his life racing, mark still has the fire to race, i hope he wins . you most likely won't find any drivers who doesn't respect and admire him. remember he has a family to take care of . i applaud mark for doing what he is doing. it may be mark won't win a championship, what matters is what is good for him and his family. continued success to mark.
2007-08-01 07:28:10 · answer #7 · answered by geolin323@sbcglobal.net 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why should he? He is competitive, he is a great teacher, he has lots of fans and teams with sponsors want him. I'm glad he is still racing. He is the class of Nascar.
I hope he wins one this year.
2007-07-31 17:08:26 · answer #8 · answered by beth 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I agree, he needs to put his igo aside and just retire like Wallace did, stop hanging on. He was a good driver his whole career, do not be like an old boxer.
2007-08-01 02:22:47 · answer #9 · answered by tarry47 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
this choice is martins not ours to make.mark martin is a good driver.when hes ready to retire he will.til then we all should except his choices.yes he might be getting tired of racing but he still is staying near the top when he finishes a race.hes just not ready to quit yet and i dont blame him. good job mark martin.
2007-08-01 07:49:29 · answer #10 · answered by nascar_angel1956 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋