Mark Martin & Jack Roush

buckaroo

buckaroo

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After having Mark Martin as his anchor driver for so many years, Jack Roush is now on the verge of winning his third title with someone else at the helm of the car. With Mark's decision to split with Jack to a Chevy team and then saying publically that these cars are the best he's ever been in say something about the split between the two? I've always wondered if Jack gave up on Mark for some reason, or was Mark beginning to believe that he just couldn't make it with that team anymore. One thing is for certain, Mark's drive seems to be just as hard as it's ever been. I really wonder how each other feel about the other.
 
I think Mark took himself out of the pressure cooker. Not that he had Roush putting pressure on him but that Mark was putting pressure on himself and getting all stressed about it. If you look at Mark since he went to a part time schedule, his attitude and the look of stress on his face has changed to a man who is more relaxed and comfortable with himself.
 
Whizzer said:
I think Mark took himself out of the pressure cooker. Not that he had Roush putting pressure on him but that Mark was putting pressure on himself and getting all stressed about it. If you look at Mark since he went to a part time schedule, his attitude and the look of stress on his face has changed to a man who is more relaxed and comfortable with himself.
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I agree. :beerbang:
 
Mark's life hasn't been easy. He was a alcoholic, he lost everything just before joining Roush IIRC.
He and his wife had difficulties, if you remember back a few years he'd always say Hi to his wife and son when on TV. They were never at the track.
I think his decision to 'retire' had a lot to do with his belief in his marriage and his attempt to save it. I think now his wife has come around and wants him to succeed. I commend both of them. I've watched guys lose a wife and kids over a stupid race car before. Just my 2¢
 
SST55 said:
Mark's life hasn't been easy. He was a alcoholic, he lost everything just before joining Roush IIRC.
He and his wife had difficulties, if you remember back a few years he'd always say Hi to his wife and son when on TV. They were never at the track.
I think his decision to 'retire' had a lot to do with his belief in his marriage and his attempt to save it. I think now his wife has come around and wants him to succeed. I commend both of them. I've watched guys lose a wife and kids over a stupid race car before. Just my 2¢
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I also heard that Mark was wanting to put more attention to his son's racing activities, but when Matt decided that he no longer wanted to race, Mark then had more time in his life to do what he loved to do.

Still, I wonder about the relationship between him and Jack.
 
I never knew that matt quit racing. I knew mark was working with Ricky Carmichael in the latemodels and he was still working with matt as well. That was just last year.
 
buckaroo said:
Still, I wonder about the relationship between him and Jack.
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Yup, something went sour. After all the years they were together and now I still haven't heard one or the other even speak the others name. If Mark wanted to come back full-time then why not with Roush? I believe Mark is as loyal as the day is long so going somewhere else doesn't make sense in that respect. Maybe it's like a good marriage that went bad. It happens.
 
Reminds me of the deal between roush and jeff burton. All of a sudden seemed like jeff wasnt getting the equipment to win or run well, or sponsors for that matter. Jeff had been there for years and all of a sudden he gets out as quick as he can. He goes to childress and hes fast again and running up front. I think jack is all about total control of the teams, no matter how long you been there your thoughts or opinions dont count unless they are his.
 
You raise some valid points, I hadn't thought of Burton's leaving until you brought it up.
Is Jack a 'my way or highway' guy?
 
I think all indications are Roush will do things his way but anybody as successful as he has been in other ventures, especially with FoMoCo, must listen to others and use some of their ideas. It took Roush a long time to get to the top in NASAR but he has arrived and will most likely be around a while.

As for reasons Mark or Burton left, who knows and does it really matter??? If there were hard feelings, seems like no one is talking. remember when Kurt Busch left there were bad words from both sides so the departure of Martin and Burton might be contractural or maybe they didn't feel things were jelling with that organization.
 
Mark Martin is a great racer but I can't help feeling that he lacks one vital ingredient to ever be a champion at the top level: that certain "killer instinct" that's required when the chips are down. Last year's Daytona 500 was a perfect example; he could have looked back on his career saying that he won the biggest race of all but he just couldn't bring himself to put a fender into Harvick. Some people will say that he can retire some day with a clean conscience because he always raced everyone clean, but we all know what Leo Durocher said about nice guys.
 
PettyBlue said:
Mark Martin is a great racer but I can't help feeling that he lacks one vital ingredient to ever be a champion at the top level: that certain "killer instinct" that's required when the chips are down. Last year's Daytona 500 was a perfect example; he could have looked back on his career saying that he won the biggest race of all but he just couldn't bring himself to put a fender into Harvick. Some people will say that he can retire some day with a clean conscience because he always raced everyone clean, but we all know what Leo Durocher said about nice guys.
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Things could be different next year, who knows. I personally think it will be very hard for Rick to fully fund all 4 cars with the money he has without asking for more, or digging into his own pockets. Like every other ride Mears has had, the owner doesn't let his potential shine and/or the team isn't there to back him. Casey's been there for 2 years and already getting booted. Ya don't think daddy would let him back on open wheelers do ya? :p

Maybe he should join penske's road racing teams- then we'd know if Casey has talent, because Penske and Ganassi, as i always say, seem to have unlimited budgets on that side of the table.
 
I don't think Mark would tell the media if the equipment wasn't any good. He gets out of the car with a big smile on his face b/c he just got of a race car. Thats what he loves. He got a 2nd chance and he is happy.
Casey will be in Bowyer's ride next year.
 
Tabasco said:
I don't think Mark would tell the media if the equipment wasn't any good. He gets out of the car with a big smile on his face b/c he just got of a race car. Thats what he loves. He got a 2nd chance and he is happy.
Casey will be in Bowyer's ride next year.
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I still don't understand why they are putting Casey in Bowyer's ride.
 
Using the points that the 07 will carry over he's guaranteed a starting position. They're betting/hoping/praying that Clint will make the first 6 races on speed because his new car won't be in the top 35.

It stinks IMHO moving Clint out of that car. But what do I know,,,:angry:
 
SST55 said:
Using the points that the 07 will carry over he's guaranteed a starting position. They're betting/hoping/praying that Clint will make the first 6 races on speed because his new car won't be in the top 35.

It stinks IMHO moving Clint out of that car. But what do I know,,,:angry:
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Thanks :)

Yes, it does. :mad:
 
SST55 said:
Using the points that the 07 will carry over he's guaranteed a starting position. They're betting/hoping/praying that Clint will make the first 6 races on speed because his new car won't be in the top 35.

It stinks IMHO moving Clint out of that car. But what do I know,,,:angry:
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I don't like it one bit either. Clint belongs in the Jack Daniel's 07. Look what happened to Kurt Busch when they gave all his points away so ....geeeze.. I can't even remember which open-wheeler they had. That's bad.
 
WNY24Fan said:
I don't like it one bit either. Clint belongs in the Jack Daniel's 07. Look what happened to Kurt Busch when they gave all his points away so ....geeeze.. I can't even remember which open-wheeler they had. That's bad.
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That woulda been Hornish. But Kurt's always been a good qualifyer, and I think he made all the races, didn't he?
 
I had heard that the new sponsor that childress got didnt want mears as their driver. And i guess Jack Daniels was cool with it so clint moved to the new car and casey will drive the 07
 
IIRC General Mills/Betty crocker is the new sponsor. From whiskey to Cheerios and Burger helper,whoda thunk.

But if they're going to pay x million they're going to want results and that includes exposure in all races. If a 'rookie' in a new car doesn't make the race they've paid for nothing.

I really don't think NA$CAR racing is about racing anymore, it's too bottom line driven. It's too dammm expensive to go racing anymore, even in the street stock class at your local track the costs are escalating beyond the capabilities of Joe Backyardracer.

I'm helping a local Pro stock guy, known as a late model in other areas. Says he's got 80 grand in the car,at least that's what he tells his wife,,,,to win 1500 hundred? 5 grand at the end of season race. Consistant top 5 car but if he wins the 1500 he lost money, tires, fuel, pit crew passes (all volunteers, not paid) repairs, upgrades etc.

I don't know where I'm going with this except to say racing isn't fun anymore, it's a business. IMHO that's a shame.
 
Yeah i crew chief a dirt street stock and we got like 20 grand in it. Some guys have 10 in just the chassis and 20 in their motor.

I know at the local asphalt track the top 5 every night have a minimum of 80 grand in their cars.
 
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