Martin makes it official, will not run Bristol

BobbyFord

BobbyFord

Secret Agent Man
Contributor
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
75,112
Points
1,033
Location
Southern California.
From NASCAR.com...

HAMPTON, Ga -- Mark Martin has been denying for weeks that he'll change his mind and run next week at Bristol Motor Speedway. On Friday, he definitively put to rest any rumors to the contrary.

"You can make all the arguments that you want about changing your mind but the bottom line is I'm going to take a break," Martin said. "I need to take a break. I've committed to take a break.

"My family and I are committed to it. My team agreed to it. We made our deal and we're going to carry it out as far as the Bristol and Martinsville thing goes."

That will end Martin's consecutive race streak at 621 following Sunday's Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

"The biggest thing is that I love what I do and I want to continue to love it," Martin said. "There's been times in the last few years that I didn't love what I was doing and I don't want to ever feel that way again.

"I don't want to ever feel that way again about something that I love with the kind of passion that I have. So I need a break."

So what will Martin do instead of traveling to Bristol?

"Saturday, I'll be at Columbia Motorsports Park [in Lake City, Fla.] with two late models: Ricky Carmichael in one and Matt Martin in the other one," Martin said. "This will be Ricky's first race in a late model and that's what I'm going to be doing next weekend.

"And then next weekend [at Martinsville], I hope to just have off. I hope to just be on the couch with the remote control in my hand because I can use a little of that, too."
 
kat2220 said:
When ol' DW pushed him on it, Mark told him to "Shut UP"!
Click to expand...

So what's really the deal??? MM was interviewed and said he was gonna be racing at another track anyway. Ginn Racing is loaded and has said they'd give him a car.

I really don't understand this deal????????

Granted it's early - but why would MM give up the points lead?
 
I thought he was going to be helping his son Matt and another developmental driver at whatever track for the Bristol date.
 
barelypure said:
I thought he was going to be helping his son Matt and another developmental driver at whatever track for the Bristol date.
Click to expand...

He will be helping son Matt and Ricky Carmichael in a late model race. I believe it will be in Florida.
 
majestyx said:
He will be helping son Matt and Ricky Carmichael in a late model race. I believe it will be in Florida.
Click to expand...

Mark Martin, Saturday night, I'm going to be at Lake City (Fla.) watching Ricky Carmichael and (son) Matt Martin race late model sports cars," Martin said Friday. "Sunday, I'll probably be sitting on a couch somewhere with a remote control in my hand.
Click to expand...

Batesville race is later. :)
 
MM fan

Well I've always been a MM fan...but if he ditches this season - - I give up.
 
I've wondered what his fans thought about his decision. I know its his decision to do whatever he wants, but being first place in points and just walking away for two weeks is unusual.


Is calling him the "best not to ever win a championship" appropriate anymore?
 
fergy1370 said:
I've wondered what his fans thought about his decision. I know its his decision to do whatever he wants, but being first place in points and just walking away for two weeks is unusual.


Is calling him the "best not to ever win a championship" appropriate anymore?
Click to expand...

NO and NO in my opinion. A racer with a chance quits? A.J. Foyt would have laughed at that...King Rchard and Dale Sr. too..

C'mon Mark - Race!
 
I'm confused. Last year everyone bashed Martin because he came back and raced another year. This year he follows his plan and gets bashed again. Damned if you do and damned if you don't I guess.
 
Depends on whether or not you're a fan of his as to which side of the fence you're on. Personally, I think he can do as he wants, and of course, that's what he's doing.
 
be9ak7ts16 said:
I'm confused. Last year everyone bashed Martin because he came back and raced another year. This year he follows his plan and gets bashed again. Damned if you do and damned if you don't I guess.
Click to expand...

Exactly. As a MM fan, I want him to do whatever he wants to do. I would love to see him race, but if that's not the plan well...............that's ok. :)
 
As pointed out yesterday he can miss 2 races and as long as he still runs good in the others he could still finish in the Top 12 and make the Chase. Maybe it will still work out.
Then again, not really being a MM fan I really couldn't give 2 squats...
 
While I'm not a rabid fan, I do root for Mark. I think he's earned the right to do what he wants to do, when he wants to do it.

He's given 100% of himself to racing for many years --- now is the time to give some to fun and family, while he is still able to enjoy it.
 
Mark has had a long and successful career in Racing. Roush coerced him into racing last year and this year Mark had an agreement with Ginn. Mark is only doing what was agreed upon at the beginning of the season. He has earned the right to race or not race, as he sees fit. Come on, give the guy a break.
 
muggle not said:
Mark has had a long and successful career in Racing. Roush coerced him into racing last year and this year Mark had an agreement with Ginn. Mark is only doing what was agreed upon at the beginning of the season. He has earned the right to race or not race, as he sees fit. Come on, give the guy a break.
Click to expand...

:beerbang: ditto:beerbang:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom