97forever
Team Owner
The world isn't perfect.The good guys don't always win and God doesn't always script the story the way we would like.
If He did,Mark Martin would have won the late summer Michigan race of 1998.
Having lost his father a week before,Mark admitted to driving the race of his life at this two-mile track with tears in his eyes.To be sure, a heated title battle with Jeff Gordon was underway when the two drivers came to Michigan.
Mark was emotional and carried the pain of his loss on his face...but racer's race,and the living have to go on with living.
Besides,Mark Martin was and is a true racer in any man's world.
What emotions were tearing at Mark as he strapped his helmet on before that race?We can only guess,but Mark was quoted as saying that winning this race would mean more than anything in his entire career.More than anything.His father was watching from above----he had to win for his dad.He had to.
Mark dominated the race.Best friend Ernie Irvan fought hard with Mark's Roush Ford....but Mark seemed unbeatable.....
But as is too often the case with life,you just never know.Just when things seem within your grip,some cosmic jester can come and snatch the rug out from under your feet.
So Mark Martin lost that day to arch-title rival Jeff Gordon.A solid 4th place finish and a gracious Jeff Gordon in victory lane did little to ease Mark's grief.Obviously heart broken,Mark still managed to congratulate Jeff on his victory.The mark of a true man,gracious in the hardest loss of his life.Maybe,though,when it's all said and done,it won't be how Mark never won the WC title that will be remembered....maybe it will be how he overcame whatever adversity life threw at him and never gave up.
After all,that is the mark of a true champion too.
Good luck this weekend Mark.I would love to see you win.
If He did,Mark Martin would have won the late summer Michigan race of 1998.
Having lost his father a week before,Mark admitted to driving the race of his life at this two-mile track with tears in his eyes.To be sure, a heated title battle with Jeff Gordon was underway when the two drivers came to Michigan.
Mark was emotional and carried the pain of his loss on his face...but racer's race,and the living have to go on with living.
Besides,Mark Martin was and is a true racer in any man's world.
What emotions were tearing at Mark as he strapped his helmet on before that race?We can only guess,but Mark was quoted as saying that winning this race would mean more than anything in his entire career.More than anything.His father was watching from above----he had to win for his dad.He had to.
Mark dominated the race.Best friend Ernie Irvan fought hard with Mark's Roush Ford....but Mark seemed unbeatable.....
But as is too often the case with life,you just never know.Just when things seem within your grip,some cosmic jester can come and snatch the rug out from under your feet.
So Mark Martin lost that day to arch-title rival Jeff Gordon.A solid 4th place finish and a gracious Jeff Gordon in victory lane did little to ease Mark's grief.Obviously heart broken,Mark still managed to congratulate Jeff on his victory.The mark of a true man,gracious in the hardest loss of his life.Maybe,though,when it's all said and done,it won't be how Mark never won the WC title that will be remembered....maybe it will be how he overcame whatever adversity life threw at him and never gave up.
After all,that is the mark of a true champion too.
Good luck this weekend Mark.I would love to see you win.
