Marlin’s career deserves recognition
by Steve Waid
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of engaging in a conversation with Sterling Marlin in the garage area at Phoenix International Raceway. Needless to say, I laughed a lot.
Marlin was at Phoenix to race in the Checker Auto Parts 500 for owner James Finch. Incidentally, he qualified for the race and finished 25th.
One of the first things I asked Marlin was if he was all square with former team owner Bobby Ginn.
Marlin, Joe Nemechek and others who had worked for Ginn before the real-estate developer merged his assets with Dale Earnhardt Inc. had sued for uncollected salary. At Phoenix, the word had spread that the issue was settled, but I wanted to hear it from Marlin personally.
“Yup,” he said. “Everything’s OK.”
Then I asked him what plans he had for the future.
He paused a moment. He said that he was going to compete in the final two races of the season for Finch (he wound up 33rd at Homestead), and after that, he just wasn’t sure. He wanted to race part-time if at all possible, whether it be in Sprint Cup or the Nationwide Series. He thought something would come up before the start of the new year.
It seems a bit out of place that a driver like Marlin has to face an uncertain future. Sure, he’s 50 years old and not at the top of anyone’s “A” list, but he’s earned the right to end his career on his terms.
That might have happened if Marlin had been able to finish the season with Ginn and have the opportunity to make arrangements for his competitive future. Instead, the two-time Daytona 500 winner had to wait and see what turned up. If he had never raced again, Marlin made his mark in NASCAR, not only as a driver but also as one of its most engaging personalities.
Seems some folks agree with me. Marlin will be inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame on Feb. 29, 2008.
Marlin, who says he is now scheduled to drive 10-16 races for Finch next season, may have uncertainties in his future, but what is certain is that his lengthy NASCAR career will receive due recognition.
by Steve Waid
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of engaging in a conversation with Sterling Marlin in the garage area at Phoenix International Raceway. Needless to say, I laughed a lot.
Marlin was at Phoenix to race in the Checker Auto Parts 500 for owner James Finch. Incidentally, he qualified for the race and finished 25th.
One of the first things I asked Marlin was if he was all square with former team owner Bobby Ginn.
Marlin, Joe Nemechek and others who had worked for Ginn before the real-estate developer merged his assets with Dale Earnhardt Inc. had sued for uncollected salary. At Phoenix, the word had spread that the issue was settled, but I wanted to hear it from Marlin personally.
“Yup,” he said. “Everything’s OK.”
Then I asked him what plans he had for the future.
He paused a moment. He said that he was going to compete in the final two races of the season for Finch (he wound up 33rd at Homestead), and after that, he just wasn’t sure. He wanted to race part-time if at all possible, whether it be in Sprint Cup or the Nationwide Series. He thought something would come up before the start of the new year.
It seems a bit out of place that a driver like Marlin has to face an uncertain future. Sure, he’s 50 years old and not at the top of anyone’s “A” list, but he’s earned the right to end his career on his terms.
That might have happened if Marlin had been able to finish the season with Ginn and have the opportunity to make arrangements for his competitive future. Instead, the two-time Daytona 500 winner had to wait and see what turned up. If he had never raced again, Marlin made his mark in NASCAR, not only as a driver but also as one of its most engaging personalities.
Seems some folks agree with me. Marlin will be inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame on Feb. 29, 2008.
Marlin, who says he is now scheduled to drive 10-16 races for Finch next season, may have uncertainties in his future, but what is certain is that his lengthy NASCAR career will receive due recognition.