By Pete Iacobelli
FLORENCE, S.C. – It was about a year ago that Mark Martin set off on a NASCAR ride like few others in his stellar career: five Sprint Cup race victories, a runner-up finish to champ Jimmie Johnson in the Chase for the championship and, at 51 years old, a renewed passion for his life’s work.
“It was a magical year, last year, for me,” Martin said Wednesday. “And I still feel the magic each time I strap into a race car.”
Martin is seventh in the points standings going into today’s race at Bristol Motor Speedway after a week off, and he believes his team is more ready to win when it matters most – down the stretch.
Martin certainly made headlines with victories at Phoenix International Raceway and Darlington Raceway last spring. He even beat chase master Johnson to the punch early with a victory at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in the first of the 10 playoff races that determine the champion.