Martin still a hit with the fans, force on the track

FLORENCE — Mark Martin still has a passion to race and for his adoring fans.

That was evident Wednesday as the 51-year-old Hendrick Motorsports driver answered fans questions during a Q & A session for the Southern 500.

“It is always so amazing to see the fans in our sport and how committed they are,” Martin said. “They will drive all night and sleep in their car to get to races. It’s amazing what they do.”

Fans flock to Martin’s hometown of Batesville, Ark., every Easter weekend for an event he has held the past five years at his Ford dealership.

About 300 fans turned out at the civic center to hear him speak. Martin answered fans questions on a variety of topics, including his workout routine to his favorite racing memory and his relationship with his Hendrick Motorsports teammates.

Unlike some of the newer drivers in NASCAR, fans can relate to Martin and see him as one of them.

They appreciate Martin’s honest and hard-working personality. Fans also love the fact he is still at the top of his game when most drivers his age are retired or past their prime.

“He is an inspiration to watch, especially at this age,” said Terry Koontz of Darlington, who attended the event with his wife, Marla.

Martin says he understands his responsibility to the fans because he calls himself a “driver first and fan second.”

While other drivers might complain or grumble about the recent changes made in the sport such as double-file restarts and green-white-checkered finishes, Martin says that’s what the fans want to see.

“Those things are for the fans, not for the competitors,” Martin said. “If you did the whole sport about competitors, that’s all that would be here.
“Bottom line: It helps put on a better show.”

Fans are hoping Martin finally gets the one thing that has eluded him during his career — a Cup championship.

Martin was the sentimental favorite last year as he battled Jimmie Johnson down the stretch for the championship.

Martin won five races, including the Southern 500 at Darlington, but finished second in the standings, 141 points behind Johnson.

“It was a magical year last year for me,” Martin said. “I am incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to compete down to the very last race. I couldn’t be more proud of last season.”

Fans can expect to see plenty more of Martin. He is signed through 2011 with Hendrick.

“If there were any beach in the world I’d rather be on than at the racetrack, that’s where I’d be,” Martin said. “It’s my choice to be there at the racetrack with my fans and competitors. That is where my heart is.”

Martin also talked about racing at Bristol this weekend after the incident in Atlanta between Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski.

“It wont be any different than it has ever been,” he said. “I don’t see any anarchy. It will be the same old wild and crazy Bristol.”

Martin also complimented teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr., saying, “he is racing harder than any of my teammates and just hasn’t got the results yet.”