NASCAR's Heartbreaking Moments: Mark Martin - 2000 Sam's Town 300

In the 2000 Sam's Town 300, Mark Martin started 2nd and was a contender, as he always was in the #60 Winn-Dixie Ford in the Busch Series. When he attempted to make his first green flag pit stop of the day on lap 79, he missed pit road as he was coming in too fast, according to his crew chief Tony Lambert. Then, when he did make his stop, they left the catch can in the car. Mark had to come back down pit road to remove the catch can. He fell a lap down.
Then, in a rare instance of Mark Martin aggression, Mark stormed his way through lap traffic, going three wide in instances that you won't normally see Mark do. He got by the leader Jeff Burton just when the first caution of the day came out. On the caution flag stop, he went from 11th to 5th. So, in just a span of about 40 laps, he went from a lap down to back in contention.
They gambled on pit strategy, staying out after the 2nd caution of the day while Jeff Burton pitted. Mark was able to hold on for pretty much the rest of the race. The problem came with three laps to go.
Mark was in heavy traffic. Jack Sprague got loose and spun out right in front of Mark. Mark swerved to avoid contact with Sprague. Unfortunately for Mark, he lost just enough momentum to allow Jeff Burton to sneak by him coming to 3 to go. There was not enough laps to finish the race under green, so Jeff Burton ended up winning the race.
It was disappointing for Mark as he came back from adversity to get to the lead. Unfortunately, circumstances did not allow him to win on this day. If he won, he would've won four races in a row, and five consecutive starts. He won the previous race at Rockingham, then won the next two at Atlanta and Darlington, along with a win in Texas.
Race uploaded by Dave W. Video is for awareness purposes only. All credit to NASCAR and ESPN2.

[@IanTheMotorsportsMan_YT]

I love Mark Martin, since this race was him losing a Busch Series race as a Cup driver, I don’t really feel bad tbh

[@NascarNixon]

Dick Trickle - 1991 Jay Johnson 250