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| Roush (L) and Martin team up again |
Mark Martin is returning to Roush Fenway Racing -- where
he excelled behind the wheel for almost 20 years -- this time as the team’s
driver development coach. Martin was the first driver hired by team owner Jack
Roush when he founded his NASCAR operation in 1988. The two went on to become
one of the most successful duos in sports history, accumulating 83 NASCAR wins,
four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship runner-up finishes, and building
Roush Fenway into the winningest team in NASCAR history.
“I’m excited to return to Roush Fenway Racing, as it
feels like I’m going home to where I belong,” said Martin. “I was fortunate to
help build this team from the beginning and it’s very humbling to be a part of
Jack’s team again. When Jack first hired me in 1988 we didn’t talk about salary
or benefits or perks, we talked about testing, tires and putting the right
personnel into place to win on the track. That commitment is what stood out to
me then and it’s still what stands out to me today.
“Nobody does a better job at developing young talent than
Jack Roush,” added Martin. “Roush Fenway has an abundance of young, talented
drivers and I’m looking forward to working with each of them going forward. I
am very proud of what Jack and I were able to accomplish together and I am
excited to expand on those accomplishments.
“I understand what it takes to succeed in this business
and appreciate the hard work, dedication and focus required to compete at the
highest level week in and week out,” added the NASCAR legend. “We have a great crop
of young drivers in Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Trevor Bayne, as well as with the rookies
Chris Buescher and Ryan Reed and of course the veteran leadership with Greg
Biffle. It will be a key part of my job to help them develop their skills
behind the wheel and get the most of their exceptional ability.”
“The thing that always stood out about Mark was his
unmatched drive to win,” said Roush. “Mark put us on the map and I am pleased
to have him as a part of our team again. Mark is not only a good friend but
he’s also a fierce competitor and I truly admire his passion and dedication to racing.
I have no question that you will be able to see his influence on our young
drivers. He understands what it takes to win and to be able to do that on a
consistent basis and he’ll, once again, be a great asset to have back within
our organization.”
Martin piloted Roush Fenway’s flagship No. 6 Ford from
1988 until 2006. During that time he accumulated 35 NSCS victories. At the end
of his tenure at Roush Fenway he held a record five prestigious IROC
(International Race of Champions) Championships and a then record 47 NASCAR
Nationwide Series wins. For his career Martin posted 96 career NASCAR
victories.
Reaching back to the ast to help the future, well, JR shouldn't have let him go in the first place, he could have kept him on in this or another position in '06. NONE of the talent he has now is equal to a younger Edwards, hell Joey Logano, Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, none of them. Trevor Bane seems to be getting a reputation for wrecking instead of winning, and the Daytona may just be his only career win. Ricky Stenhouse seems to be a nice fella, but he to lacks the instinct to find the finish line like the others I mentioned. Greg Biffle can't find a pit crew he likes, so he's never a contender any week.
ReplyDeleteIt pains me to say it but it looks like Jack needs to turn the reins over to someone else. He cant bring the past back, ad his present is slipping away faster than he can plug the holes,