Mark Martin

By Brandon Caldwell

(Correspondent) on November 25, 2011

 Mark Martin

Mark Martin in 2011
Todd Warshaw/Getty Images

Mark Martin is the best driver in NASCAR history not to win a Sprint Cup Championship.

Say what you want, Mark may be finished and may be kicking himself at the end of this MWR deal, but he is still the best on this list.

In his 830 career starts, he’s got 438 top 10 finishes. That’s 53 percent of Martin’s all-time races he’s finished in the top 10.

In his 22 full seasons (Including 1982 and excluding 2007-08), he finished out of the top 10 in points six times and lower than 15th only twice (2003, 2011). Since 1988, he’s never had a year with less than 10 top-10 finishes, including the two partial schedule years.

Mark came into the Sprint Cup Series in 1981 and ran 1982 as a full schedule. He dabbled around in his own deal and in several other rides til 1987. Some small car owner by the name of Jack Roush swooped in and gave Mark a full-time ride in 1988.

In ’88, with sponsor from a small brewing company known as Stroh’s Light, he finished a respectable 15th in the points.

In 1989, Martin won his first race and finished third in points. From that point forward, he has been a threat.

In 1990, ’94, ’98, 2002 and ’09, Martin finished as the runner-up in the point standings.

He was the pioneer to a team now known as Roush Fenway Racing. When he started, they weren’t the best equipment, but his skill made them the best.

In this era, a more competitive era, Martin’s numbers and driving ability are greater than the previous nine drivers no matter what 2012, 2013 or beyond bring him.

That’s why Mark, in my eyes, is the best driver never to win a championship.

MARK MARTIN

Driver Profile Mark Martin Position: Driver Personal Date of birth: 1/9/1959 Hometown: Batesville, Ark. Current residence: Daytona Beach, Fla. Spouse: Arlene Children: Son MattCareer Highlights One of NASCAR’s most decorated drivers, Mark Martin brings an impressive resume to his new team.In his first year with Hendrick Motorsports, Martin will drive the No. 5 Kellogg’s/CARQUEST Chevrolet in pursuit of his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship. He will join forces with crew chief Alan Gustafson and the No. 5 team, which qualified for the “Chase for the Sprint Cup” in 2006 and 2007.Martin, joined with Hendrick Motorsports and the Kellogg’s/CARQUEST team, has a newfound desire and enthusiasm to return to the Chase and battle for the title.CAREER HISTORYDIRT TO PAVEMENT TO ASAMartin began his racing career at the age of 15 in his home state of Arkansas. Competing on dirt tracks, he won in only his third start and that same year – 1974 – won the Arkansas State Championship. In 1976, Martin left his dirt days behind and moved to pavement racetracks.In 1977, Martin started competing in the American Speed Association (ASA). He earned rookie of the year honors that year and went on to win the championship the following three seasons.INTRODUCTION TO NASCARThe 1981 racing season saw Martin move into NASCAR’s elite series, and make five Sprint Cup Series starts in which he earned two pole positions and two top-10 finishes. The following year, in his first full-time schedule, he recorded eight top-10 finishes. Unable to continue funding his own team, Martin was forced to auction off his equipment and race for a variety of owners before returning to ASA competition from 1984-1986. He won his fourth ASA championship in 1986.The thrill of NASCAR called again in 1987, and Martin agreed to drive a full Nationwide Series schedule. He earned three victories that season, which piqued the interest of car owner Jack Roush. In 1988, Martin and Roush joined forces, forging a working relationship that lasted 19 years.During his time with Roush, Martin recorded 35 victories and won at all but six tracks on the Sprint Cup circuit. He earned 230 top-five finishes and 560 top-10s, earning a top-10 finish in nearly 50 percent of his starts. He also started from the pole 39 times.Martin finished second in the Sprint Cup Series standings four times, missing his first championship in 1990 by a mere 26 points. He has finished 12th or better in 17 of 20 full Cup seasons.While making a name for himself in Cup competition, Martin was setting records in the Nationwide Series. Though he’s recorded just one full season of Nationwide competition – 1987 – Martin holds the record for most wins (48) and most poles (30). In 2006, motorsports media acknowledged his accomplishments by naming him the greatest Nationwide Series driver of all-time.CUTTING BACKFollowing the 2006 season, Martin committed only to a part-time Sprint Cup schedule. He was ready to spend more time at home in Daytona Beach, Fla., with his wife Arlene and son Matt.In the two years that followed, Martin competed in 48 Sprint Cup Series races, earning seven top-five finishes and 19 top-10s. He also became a mentor for rookie drivers.In 2007, Martin made his first Nationwide start for Hendrick Motorsports, driving the No. 5 Chevrolet led by crew chief Alan Gustafson. Martin finished second in that race at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, further impressing Rick Hendrick. Martin went on to earn his first win for Hendrick, driving the No. 5 JR Motorsports Nationwide entry at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2008.AN OFFER HE COULDN’T REFUSEHendrick’s admiration grew for Martin’s on-track skills as well as the NASCAR veteran’s ability to motivate and inspire his crew members. Martin’s talent was one that Hendrick Motorsports was not ready to let pass by.In July 2008, Martin announced that he would return to full-time Sprint Cup competition and drive the No. 5 Kellogg’s/CARQUEST Chevrolet. He joins Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. in the Hendrick Motorsports stable.OFF THE TRACKA healthy lifestyle advocate, Martin spends much of his free time on his extensive physical fitness regimen. He is a licensed pilot, flying to and from racetracks around the country, and a successful businessman. In addition to other interests, he owns a pair of Arkansas automobile dealerships, located in Melbourne and his hometown of Batesville.