I'm almost seventy years old, raced local dirt tracks for thirty years, have followed Nascar my entire adult life, watched Mark Martin race at the Minnesota State Fair Grounds track many times and this is what I know: Mark Martin is a racers' racer. Thank you, Jr, for these interviews you do to show the current race fan the true guts of the sport. There was a time when racing was all man and machine, when advanced technology wasn't birthed in a wind tunnel or from computer data, but was born out of seat of the pants driving, bloody knuckles and sleepless nights combined with a burning desire to go faster than the night before. I consider myself blessed to have lived in such a time.
My friend, you Sir have a racer's soul, I can hear & feel it in the word's of your comment 💪 To actually understand Racing, you had to have raced yourself to truly understand that racing has a HEART & a SOUL. IMO, that Racer's Soul is what Mark Martin had more of than anyone, before or since 🙏
I agree. I’m 74 and started racing when I was 23 which back then that was the age most started. Today it’s not uncommon to see 16 year olds or younger driving sprint cars. I cannot imagine anyone doing that back in the early 70s when I started. The cars today are so much more technical and way safer than back then but also more powerful and faster. Dirt tracks are no longer fast tacky clay or sloppy wet heavy. Almost all dirt tracks are dry slick by main event time or before. Pavement racing hasn’t changed much other than todays tires and shocks are so much better and defined for specific situations. Motor technology is light years from where it was 50 years ago. Safety is incredibly better in these cars today but it’s still a dangerous sport. Another advantage is Iracing and computer racing games like Xbox NASCAR Heat and Tony Stewart Sprint Cars. You can learn so much playing in those simulators. I hadn’t raced a Supermodified on pavement in many years and last year bought one and raced it. It was like I was 24 again while on the track.
I'm 57yrs old and have been involved in racing since 12 started out going to help a man that owned Rick Crawford street stock cars in Pensacola Florida I was gonna make a comment about what I saw but I I'll damn you said it all they wonder what happened to nascar you have no individualism nobody ideas are there own anymore kit cars
Mark Martin is an all around great guy! He never seemed to feud with anyone, raced everyone clean, and judging my this video, he was always willing to disclose his setups to others. You'll never see guys like him on the track again!
He said that when he drove for Jack Roush too. I met him at Sonoma in '92. First thing he said to me was "thank you for being here". Samething Ned Jarrett said to me at the very same race. Ford drivers had class in those days. Always have going back to the early '60s. But especially Roush drivers.
Me too. He was my first driver I pulled. I eventually ended up becoming a fan of other drivers who include Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Kyle Busch.
Jr was the last generation of the real Nascar. After the decisions of the owners over the last few weeks, I am done with Nascar for good. Period! They dug their grave and they can continue pander to their new fan base they think will save them. There are many men turning over in graves and others up around Lake Norman shaking their heads.
Carl Edwards not only knew the cars but he was good enough mechanically and smart enough he could’ve been the car chief on atleast an xfinity / busch team had his driving career not worked out.
If you follow Alex Bowman sometimes he'll post about the stuff he's been working on for his dirt team as well as other projects. he's one of the current guys that might know a thing or two about what's under the hood.
I am from Wisconsin. Mark, Rusty and Mr. Trickle ( and many more trust me! I can't name them all.) were who I grew up Watching. The late 70's and the early to late 80's was the best short track racing in the Midwest. Back then they all knew their chassis.
Mark is the man. Such an amazing dude. When I was a kid he came out to the paddock area at Watkins Glen and signed autographs until there was nobody who didn't have one. He did this multiple times a day. Every year I was there. He's my favorite driver ever. He was also so personable with people. He just seemed genuinely interested in connecting personally with every fan.
I could never imagine Mark Martin being "full of" himself. I met Mr. Martin at Lakeland Speedway in Florida at the concession stand. He was there with his son who was racing a Florida Pro Truck and I was there as a crew member on a super late model. He was frustrated with the truck because they broke a transmission in practice (if I remember correctly) as he was covered in trans fluid dirty etc but was still very personable, he even paid for my order. Thanks Mark Martin, and yes your correct you don't need a tach especially if you know your running the right gear!!
A side trip to Mark's museum at his Ford dealership in Batesville, Ark. is well worth the trip. He has his diary from the early days where he notes he finished third, made $6.00.
I still think Martin is in the top 3 drivers of all time. Great driver very very down to earth and never heard a bad thing on him. We miss these real drivers.
I'm from Missouri and when I was growing up I was shocked to find out just how deeply embedded racing was in Missouri. Mark Martin, Ken Schrader, Carl Edwards, Clint Bowyer, Tony Stewart, Rusty Wallace, Jamie McMurray, Kenny and Mike Wallace just to name a few
In my view, Wisconsin and my home state of Missouri, have the best short track racing in the country. A ton of big names came from and competed in Wisconsin and Missouri coming up through the ranks. I love short track racing, especially on Saturday Nights.
It's amazing to hear Mark's stories about racing when he was broke, a team with just a few people, no sponsorship, and look where he is now. I'm happy he made it.
Mark Martin and Alan Kulwicki were my drivers back in the day. After alan died, I followed Mark exclusively. I met him in Richmond where I had a weekend pit pass and he is such a nice guy. He won that race. Also met Alan that day as well, or course.
Raceing not the same without you guys. My first race was where I was blessed to have lived. Talladega. I was in HEVEN being six years old in turn 3 infeled when on the first pace lap came by. That's a exsperce,seeing those Dodge Super Birds with the big wind jammers. I was hooked. Had lots of fun. Being 16 years old. Lots of great memories I hold inside me! Lots of love from Talladega Alabama.
Mark Martin is the real deal. Class, intelligence, determination, a true gentleman and a natural born winner 🏆. Everything that Junior never could achieve. Just my opinion. Others will surely differ 🏁
A true legend I miss having someone to root for, its like I was invested in every race he drove, I haven't been able to find that passion since he left, I have other drivers I root for, butnot anything like when he was, it was him or no one
Mark Martin was my driver when I really got into Nascar. I loved his book. Because I loved beer a little to much at the time. And I appreciated his experience and life lessons. His book helped me as an everyday person.
Mark Martin will always be my favorite driver. NASCAR was not same without him. We are lucky we got to see him race for as long as he did. Nowadays seems like after racers retire much earlier than they used to.
I remember being a Dale Sr. fan with my dad since I can remember. So when my sister got engaged, to our disbelief. We were all #3, and Chevy fans. My sister rant & raved about how he’s a big Nascar fan. So when he comes to my parents house for the first time, it was a Sunday after church, where we BBQ, and watch the rest of the race. He pulls up in a mustang, and wearing a Mark Martin t-shirt. lol We didn’t know what to think. But good memories, fun debates, and such good times. The first home they got after getting married, we had a Daytona 500 party there. The 1998 Daytona 500 specifically, so after that, my family took turns to hosting the Daytona 500! Their next one was the 2001 Daytona 500. So many memories, and they are still happily married. We always were happy to see Mark Martin do well. What good times those were. 😢
Hey Dale, I'm a huge fan of your Dad and you as well as many others. The interview with Mark brought back many memories and a couple ASA drivers Sick Trickle who his only job was driving race cars and he had a cigarette lighter in them. Or Dave Marcus who always raced with wing tip shoes. I remember Mark as always being a class act and helping all others just as your Dad did, only to open up a can of whoopass on the track. Thanks again for great videos and memories.
One of the best men i ever met and was so nice to autograph so many items for me back in the day. With the valvoline 6. Besides him and dale and rusty. Miss the glory days of real cars and drivers. Best wishes from 66 Salvage Restoration speed shop from Clinton Illinois
This man will forever be my favorite driver of all time. He’s such a class act, to the point if he wouldn’t even lie to other drivers about his setup, just an all around great man. And it’s a crime that he never won a championship after he come so close so many times. I wish there was a way to go back in time and change something in history that made it happen, especially in a year that I was old enough to appreciate it and that I wasn’t too young to know what was going on. Like in 2002, when I had just become a Mark Martin fan like the year is 2 before, though I was only 11, but I had always been a Jeff Gordon fan for some reason as a kid, maybe it was the car idk lol. But as I got older I just always liked Mark and how he raced and how he wasn’t one of those guys who would go out the way to wreck you to win, he relied on driving skill to be what got him across the finish line first. Or my favorite year of NASCAR I ever watched, 2009, when I thought all year he was gonna winning it was almost a given in my head he was gonna win, but it broke my heart for him when he didn’t honestly. But man, of all the drivers who deserved a cup series win, it was him, and I don’t think anyone can argue or even would argue with that.
Mr. Consistency. I remember reading during his prime that his Valvoline car led the field in air/TV time, not mostly because of wins, but because of almost always running toward front of the field. What is more impressive is how well he ran each week while being one of the cleanest drivers in the sport. Roush had to have made a fortune off of Mark from a sponsorship standpoint and for getting his car back to the garage in one piece as often as Mark did. So many years later it still saddens me that Mark never won it all, as I think he is easily a top 20 driver of all time.
never got to meet mark martin . but when my wife and i first moved to searcy arkansas long long time ago a friend told her that j-mar trucking in searcy was owned by mark martins dad. she didnt believe them so she called j-mar up to find out if the story was true. she actually got to speak to julian martin and he was so excited to speak to one of his sons fans. told her to drive over to j-mar to meet him. so she goes and hes giving her signed posters and hats and things. he was so proud of his son. she still feels to this day it was an honor to meet him.
First time i found out about Mark Martin was in the late 70's. I was a stocker at a Winn-Dixie Grocery Store in Ft.Worth Texas. There would be stand-up posters of him in his racing suit around the store and I asked the manager who's this guy. That got me into watching Nascar. Mark is still my all time favorite driver....
Mark Martin has always been my driver from the start of me watching Nascar. My old man was a Dale sr. diehard. So it was a great rivalry between us but he would still love to take me to all Mark's events. I loved them old day's at Rockingham, Richmond and Charlotte. Great memories
I was slow to Mark Martin as a fan at first, I started watching about the time of Folgers sponsorship, he often had battles with my driver at the time Davey Allison, but continued to watch the way he raced and his style of racing, I still remember cheering trying to win the '07 Daytona 500
Man, hope all the spoiled brat drivers of today listened to this: Can you imagine having to put your own money into your racing career and having to work on your own car. Mark Martin is the real deal folks.
I followed Mark on twitter and always enjoyed the pictures from the pilots seat of the runways when he’s coming in for final approach. Some of those pictures were amazing. Enjoyed talking to him while he was sitting in the right seat. Sure do miss you on the track, Mark.
Setup to the driver’s style. Dale.....your book really helped me understand my brain injury. I hope all is now going well for you and the family. It’s a struggle sometimes and very hard to understand. I totally get why you still did great in the driver’s seat..........racing for you is so natural that you didn’t have to think about it.Your reactions didn’t require any thought. Street driving? That’s a different thing.Good days and bad days. Thanks for the help that your book offered me.
I remember meeting Mark Martin and Rusty Wallace at Winchester (Indiana) during their ASA days when I was a kid. I also remember guys like Bob Sinneker, and Mike Eddy. I’m sure there are a bunch of other great drivers I’m forgetting but if I heard their names I would get a smile on my face.
I miss mark Martin. Racing very onist man your ever meet and respectful too ever since 1989 stuck with him as my favorite drive and always will be. God bless ya and stay safe with everything going on. 😉😉😉
Gary Balough (#73) raced at East Windsor Speedway in NJ back when I was a kid. My grandfather would drive one hour to come home from work on Friday, grab me, and drive over another hour to go to East Windsor to watch the races. It's amazing that Mark Martin talked about him. So awesome!
Great video !! I watched Mark and all the asa guys for a long time and I remember ," the three legged dog", car kicking every bodies butt!! There was a guy named Boyce who built tar cars and who heavy duty loaded the left side with lead too. Dick Trickle, and Jim Back raced together and it was worth sticking around after the races to watch them load the two cars on the hauler and trailer as they had planks between the two. They'd spin the planks out now and then and then the fun started. Whitey Harris was a neighbor of mine and ran dirt cars in the 6os. I started building some then and eventually built a 4-wheel independent Super modified dirt car with some help from Bill Hites books. He built extreme offset 4-wheel drive tar cars the set a new track record every time he showed up. They finally outlawed his cars. I bought a sprint car and settled down learning to drive it and then ran with WOO every chance it got plus the local shows that paid enough for me to have fun until I ran out of money. Those were great times and thanks for the memories.
Charles Hugh Bryan Charles, did Whitey Harris run a white #1 car in that era, with the #1 a red, white and blue scheme similar to Evel Knievel’s #1? Reason I ask is, my favorite driver in 1970, at a long gone dirt track right on the Illinois/Wisconsin border, was a Whitey Harris in a white #1. On my birthday that year, I had my birthday cake made to reflect his car color and number, then I had a picture taken of Whitey and I with the cake. Also got to sit in his car; I didn’t want to get out (those pictures are somewhere, but where somewhere happens to be is......well).
Don’t keep up with racing at all now but love to hear the old drivers from the past talk about the times of starting out. They worked for what they had. Today’s generation doesn’t seem to appreciate the opportunities they have now how easy it is. Not saying racing is easy but most drivers don’t seem to understand how much work past drivers did to get where they wanted to getting the sport.
I've always liked Gordon but tell ya Mark is a hell of a driver. That guy could run anything that had a motor. He'll always have my respect. Lewiston, Maine
Wow Mark Martin. I always refer to him as the working man's racer. My great friend Loy Allen and Loy Allen Jr tell me Mark Martin was always a class act when they drove against each other.
Mark Martin is the best driver to not win a Cup championship. He was just a little short in the luck department. I was really pulling for him in the 2015 Daytona 500. He came within a few hundred feet of winning that one. Heartbreak again.
Mark will and always be my favorite driver of all time met him twice at Daytona took the time for his fans dude is a ultimate champion regardless of the record books just raced against Dale sr Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson all in their primes and gave them all hell in 3 different decades that’s a hell of a racer if you ask me..
I would love to hear Mark's stories about Anderson Speedway... it's sad my hometown track has gone down hill since these great nascar legends dont race on it anymore...
I spent a lot of time smokin' over that '80 Camaro at Winchester for two days, got a glance here and there a glance at a time. Very impressed to this day.
I remeber marks first time at fair grounds speedway in springfield mo and heres an orange number 2 car with a red headed 14 year old kid unloading to race with the men. 75 Larry Phillps the legend. Right but it was on and these two got it on so awesome that they put then on tv and took the rest of the cars to pit. And it was larry and mark door to door and racing so awesome. But one day on my bike i stopped and would ask larry phillps if i could get a drink out of the fountain. He let me and start talking about racing. Right there the door swung open this red headed kid took a drink turned said hi to me holding wrenches smiled bigger hell at me and walked get in shop. I looked at larry and him just started laughing he got up told me walk through that door. And theres mark martin working on larry phillps car. Mark was so cool and they let me hangout we talked and when it was done now i have two heros. Thank you im old now but i still remenber like it was five minutes ago.
Chris Hardesty I lived about two blocks from the fairgrounds there. I remember seeing Larry Phillips, Mark Martin, and Rusty Wallace race there although at that time Mark and Rusty were not regulars in Springfield. Rusty was fast but kept spinning out. Larry would start from the back and pass half the field between the green flag and turn one.
More should be said about Jr Hanley a real all out racer and builder from Canada. He was an innovator from the very start down here in Nova Scotia and then in Ontario. The weekly racers know of him for sure.
Man, I forgot how much I liked listening to Mark talk. Good ol fella...
I'm almost seventy years old, raced local dirt tracks for thirty years, have followed Nascar my entire adult life, watched Mark Martin race at the Minnesota State Fair Grounds track many times and this is what I know: Mark Martin is a racers' racer. Thank you, Jr, for these interviews you do to show the current race fan the true guts of the sport. There was a time when racing was all man and machine, when advanced technology wasn't birthed in a wind tunnel or from computer data, but was born out of seat of the pants driving, bloody knuckles and sleepless nights combined with a burning desire to go faster than the night before. I consider myself blessed to have lived in such a time.
There were wind tunnels but just only 2
My friend, you Sir have a racer's soul, I can hear & feel it in the word's of your comment 💪
To actually understand Racing, you had to have raced yourself to truly understand that racing has a HEART & a SOUL. IMO, that Racer's Soul is what Mark Martin had more of than anyone, before or since 🙏
I agree. I’m 74 and started racing when I was 23 which back then that was the age most started. Today it’s not uncommon to see 16 year olds or younger driving sprint cars. I cannot imagine anyone doing that back in the early 70s when I started. The cars today are so much more technical and way safer than back then but also more powerful and faster. Dirt tracks are no longer fast tacky clay or sloppy wet heavy. Almost all dirt tracks are dry slick by main event time or before. Pavement racing hasn’t changed much other than todays tires and shocks are so much better and defined for specific situations. Motor technology is light years from where it was 50 years ago. Safety is incredibly better in these cars today but it’s still a dangerous sport. Another advantage is Iracing and computer racing games like Xbox NASCAR Heat and Tony Stewart Sprint Cars. You can learn so much playing in those simulators. I hadn’t raced a Supermodified on pavement in many years and last year bought one and raced it. It was like I was 24 again while on the track.
I'm 57yrs old and have been involved in racing since 12 started out going to help a man that owned Rick Crawford street stock cars in Pensacola Florida I was gonna make a comment about what I saw but I I'll damn you said it all they wonder what happened to nascar you have no individualism nobody ideas are there own anymore kit cars
Thank you all for your comments...reminds me of hearing my uncle talk about his racing days. Y'all have brought back some very happy memories.
Mark is still the man , miss seeing him on the track
Mark Martin is to NASCAR what Pat McNamara is to the military.
Mark Martin is an all around great guy! He never seemed to feud with anyone, raced everyone clean, and judging my this video, he was always willing to disclose his setups to others. You'll never see guys like him on the track again!
🐐🐐🐐🐐
Every post-race interview he gave late in his Cup career (regardless of the circumstance) started by him saying, “I just want to thank the fans.”
He said that when he drove for Jack Roush too. I met him at Sonoma in '92. First thing he said to me was "thank you for being here". Samething Ned Jarrett said to me at the very same race.
Ford drivers had class in those days. Always have going back to the early '60s. But especially Roush drivers.
My all time favorite driver , haven’t been able to pick another driver since he retired
Same.
Me too.
Robert Haynie ....when MM retired I quit watching. Since then I only watch endurance racing like IMSA
Same here... such a sad day in racing for me
Makes two of us! Still mad at Harvick for not letting off, just a little, at Daytona.
I miss Mark and the racers of that time. They actually knew about cars and how to tune them and fix them.
Me too. He was my first driver I pulled. I eventually ended up becoming a fan of other drivers who include Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Kyle Busch.
Jr was the last generation of the real Nascar. After the decisions of the owners over the last few weeks, I am done with Nascar for good. Period!
They dug their grave and they can continue pander to their new fan base they think will save them.
There are many men turning over in graves and others up around Lake Norman shaking their heads.
Austin Dillion couldn’t change the plugs in his car. Couldn’t find them. Would probably start pulling on the roof flaps
Carl Edwards not only knew the cars but he was good enough mechanically and smart enough he could’ve been the car chief on atleast an xfinity / busch team had his driving career not worked out.
If you follow Alex Bowman sometimes he'll post about the stuff he's been working on for his dirt team as well as other projects. he's one of the current guys that might know a thing or two about what's under the hood.
I can listen to Mark tell stories all day
NASCAR Weekly Podcast: 👀
Dale Jr Download: also 👀
*denny delivers phone ringing intensifies*
lucky you (and me) he has his own podcast. I can't wait to listen to all the stories.
I am from Wisconsin. Mark, Rusty and Mr. Trickle ( and many more trust me! I can't name them all.) were who I grew up Watching. The late 70's and the early to late 80's was the best short track racing in the Midwest. Back then they all knew their chassis.
Mark is the man. Such an amazing dude. When I was a kid he came out to the paddock area at Watkins Glen and signed autographs until there was nobody who didn't have one. He did this multiple times a day. Every year I was there. He's my favorite driver ever. He was also so personable with people. He just seemed genuinely interested in connecting personally with every fan.
I would have never guessed MM was full of himself at any point of his time driving. He always seemed so humble, now I know why.
A racing legend with the class like no other.
Love the stories Mark Martin tells such a great guy 🏁
I could never imagine Mark Martin being "full of" himself. I met Mr. Martin at Lakeland Speedway in Florida at the concession stand. He was there with his son who was racing a Florida Pro Truck and I was there as a crew member on a super late model. He was frustrated with the truck because they broke a transmission in practice (if I remember correctly) as he was covered in trans fluid dirty etc but was still very personable, he even paid for my order. Thanks Mark Martin, and yes your correct you don't need a tach especially if you know your running the right gear!!
Polk County!
2 drivers that are talking to each other that deserved to win a championship
A side trip to Mark's museum at his Ford dealership in Batesville, Ark. is well worth the trip. He has his diary from the early days where he notes he finished third, made $6.00.
6.00 for real ?
How could you not be A Mark Marten fan.
As a younger person i really enjoy hearing older drivers stories, Mark and Jr. really are the best at it!
I still remember him. So many drivers I forget too. I wish he'd won in the end.
I still think Martin is in the top 3 drivers of all time. Great driver very very down to earth and never heard a bad thing on him. We miss these real drivers.
Need more Mark Martin Stories please
I liked your post but it went from 6 - 7. Decided that wasn't right so it went back to 6. 👍
Martin has his own podcast!
It never ceases to surprise me how many NASCAR drivers worked and raced in Wisconsin for a time when they were starting out.
Best short track asphalt racing in the country, bar none!
I'm from Missouri and when I was growing up I was shocked to find out just how deeply embedded racing was in Missouri. Mark Martin, Ken Schrader, Carl Edwards, Clint Bowyer, Tony Stewart, Rusty Wallace, Jamie McMurray, Kenny and Mike Wallace just to name a few
In my view, Wisconsin and my home state of Missouri, have the best short track racing in the country. A ton of big names came from and competed in Wisconsin and Missouri coming up through the ranks. I love short track racing, especially on Saturday Nights.
NO ONE DOES RACING LIKE WISCONSIN. My great grandpa used to drive his race car to the bar after racing 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣
Martin is a legend one of the greatest ever
Mark is still my favorite. Such a class act on and off the track. Miss seeing and hearing from him.
I’ve been a MM superfan for years... had no idea of any of this! Wow! Thank you Dale & Mike & rest of DirtyMo!
Mark Martin I do miss him also what a great gentleman’s racer a man’s racer a racer’s racer that’s who Mark Martin was
It's amazing to hear Mark's stories about racing when he was broke, a team with just a few people, no sponsorship, and look where he is now. I'm happy he made it.
Mark Martin and Alan Kulwicki were my drivers back in the day. After alan died, I followed Mark exclusively. I met him in Richmond where I had a weekend pit pass and he is such a nice guy. He won that race. Also met Alan that day as well, or course.
Raceing not the same without you guys. My first race was where I was blessed to have lived. Talladega. I was in HEVEN being six years old in turn 3 infeled when on the first pace lap came by. That's a exsperce,seeing those Dodge Super Birds with the big wind jammers. I was hooked. Had lots of fun. Being 16 years old. Lots of great memories I hold inside me! Lots of love from Talladega Alabama.
I live about 20 mi from Batesville. I'm proud to call it home simply because of Mark, his family and people like him.
Mark Martin is the real deal. Class, intelligence, determination, a true gentleman and a natural born winner 🏆. Everything that Junior never could achieve. Just my opinion. Others will surely differ 🏁
Mark is a giant of a driver. What did in ASA is was amazing..
NASCAR legend Mark Martin
When Mark drove the Dillon House cars they raced out of North Liberty Indiana.
A true legend I miss having someone to root for, its like I was invested in every race he drove, I haven't been able to find that passion since he left, I have other drivers I root for, butnot anything like when he was, it was him or no one
Mark is a testimony to hard work and determination. He didn't allow failure to dictate. He simply learned from it and came back.
Mark Martin was one of my faves. Always giving her up front... beast
Mark Martin was my driver when I really got into Nascar. I loved his book. Because I loved beer a little to much at the time. And I appreciated his experience and life lessons. His book helped me as an everyday person.
Mark Martin will always be my favorite driver. NASCAR was not same without him. We are lucky we got to see him race for as long as he did. Nowadays seems like after racers retire much earlier than they used
to.
Great show Dale I always enjoy listening to Mark Martin I loved seeing him live at Sonoma and Las Vegas wishing you gentlemen well
I remember being a Dale Sr. fan with my dad since I can remember.
So when my sister got engaged, to our disbelief.
We were all #3, and Chevy fans.
My sister rant & raved about how he’s a big Nascar fan.
So when he comes to my parents house for the first time, it was a Sunday after church, where we BBQ, and watch the rest of the race. He pulls up in a mustang, and wearing a Mark Martin t-shirt. lol
We didn’t know what to think.
But good memories, fun debates, and such good times.
The first home they got after getting married, we had a Daytona 500 party there.
The 1998 Daytona 500 specifically, so after that, my family took turns to hosting the Daytona 500!
Their next one was the 2001 Daytona 500.
So many memories, and they are still happily married.
We always were happy to see Mark Martin do well. What good times those were. 😢
Hey Dale,
I'm a huge fan of your Dad and you as well as many others. The interview with Mark brought back many memories and a couple ASA drivers Sick Trickle who his only job was driving race cars and he had a cigarette lighter in them. Or Dave Marcus who always raced with wing tip shoes.
I remember Mark as always being a class act and helping all others just as your Dad did, only to open up a can of whoopass on the track.
Thanks again for great videos and memories.
One of the best men i ever met and was so nice to autograph so many items for me back in the day. With the valvoline 6. Besides him and dale and rusty. Miss the glory days of real cars and drivers. Best wishes from 66 Salvage Restoration speed shop from Clinton Illinois
Man THIS is the one I’ve been waiting for.
Very hard find a other person like Mark Martin in any racing at all.
I love Mark Martin...he overcame adversity and still was a great racer in anything he drove.
This man will forever be my favorite driver of all time. He’s such a class act, to the point if he wouldn’t even lie to other drivers about his setup, just an all around great man. And it’s a crime that he never won a championship after he come so close so many times. I wish there was a way to go back in time and change something in history that made it happen, especially in a year that I was old enough to appreciate it and that I wasn’t too young to know what was going on. Like in 2002, when I had just become a Mark Martin fan like the year is 2 before, though I was only 11, but I had always been a Jeff Gordon fan for some reason as a kid, maybe it was the car idk lol. But as I got older I just always liked Mark and how he raced and how he wasn’t one of those guys who would go out the way to wreck you to win, he relied on driving skill to be what got him across the finish line first. Or my favorite year of NASCAR I ever watched, 2009, when I thought all year he was gonna winning it was almost a given in my head he was gonna win, but it broke my heart for him when he didn’t honestly. But man, of all the drivers who deserved a cup series win, it was him, and I don’t think anyone can argue or even would argue with that.
Mr. Consistency. I remember reading during his prime that his Valvoline car led the field in air/TV time, not mostly because of wins, but because of almost always running toward front of the field. What is more impressive is how well he ran each week while being one of the cleanest drivers in the sport. Roush had to have made a fortune off of Mark from a sponsorship standpoint and for getting his car back to the garage in one piece as often as Mark did. So many years later it still saddens me that Mark never won it all, as I think he is easily a top 20 driver of all time.
never got to meet mark martin . but when my wife and i first moved to searcy arkansas long long time ago a friend told her that j-mar trucking in searcy was owned by mark martins dad. she didnt believe them so she called j-mar up to find out if the story was true. she actually got to speak to julian martin and he was so excited to speak to one of his sons fans. told her to drive over to j-mar to meet him. so she goes and hes giving her signed posters and hats and things. he was so proud of his son. she still feels to this day it was an honor to meet him.
First time i found out about Mark Martin was in the late 70's. I was a stocker at a Winn-Dixie Grocery Store in Ft.Worth Texas. There would be stand-up posters of him in his racing suit around the store and I asked the manager who's this guy. That got me into watching Nascar. Mark is still my all time favorite driver....
Now I'm gonna have to go in the closet and see if I still have that old MM Winn Dixie T shirt. I'm afraid I might have finally tossed it.
Mark Martin was, is, and always be the Gentleman Driver of Nascar!
Thanks Dale for this great interview please get more like this before they are gone. This was absolute Gold ...
Mark Martin has always been my driver from the start of me watching Nascar. My old man was a Dale sr. diehard. So it was a great rivalry between us but he would still love to take me to all Mark's events. I loved them old day's at Rockingham, Richmond and Charlotte. Great memories
I was slow to Mark Martin as a fan at first, I started watching about the time of Folgers sponsorship, he often had battles with my driver at the time Davey Allison, but continued to watch the way he raced and his style of racing, I still remember cheering trying to win the '07 Daytona 500
Man, hope all the spoiled brat drivers of today listened to this: Can you imagine having to put your own money into your racing career and having to work on your own car. Mark Martin is the real deal folks.
I followed Mark on twitter and always enjoyed the pictures from the pilots seat of the runways when he’s coming in for final approach. Some of those pictures were amazing. Enjoyed talking to him while he was sitting in the right seat. Sure do miss you on the track, Mark.
It amazes me how these guys gave absolutely everything they had to race and learn to be winners! MM=#1
Two of my favorite drivers. Just two humble dudes that kicked your ass with the right car under them!
Two of my favorite Nascar Drivers of all time.
What stories. My respect for Mark has grown 2 fold after watching this clip. Great episode folks. Cheers
Our family was big time Mark Martin fans!
Setup to the driver’s style.
Dale.....your book really helped me understand my brain injury.
I hope all is now going well for you and the family.
It’s a struggle sometimes and very hard to understand.
I totally get why you still did great in the driver’s seat..........racing for you is so natural that you didn’t have to think about it.Your reactions didn’t require any thought.
Street driving? That’s a different thing.Good days and bad days.
Thanks for the help that your book offered me.
I could listen to Mark Martin talk about anything. He was my favorite driver, just because his name is Mark, like me :-)
I remember meeting Mark Martin and Rusty Wallace at Winchester (Indiana) during their ASA days when I was a kid. I also remember guys like Bob Sinneker, and Mike Eddy. I’m sure there are a bunch of other great drivers I’m forgetting but if I heard their names I would get a smile on my face.
I was always a Mark Martin fan. Once you heard Mark's story, you couldn't help but cheer for the guy.
I could listen to the stories from REAL drivers for days!
I miss mark Martin. Racing very onist man your ever meet and respectful too ever since 1989 stuck with him as my favorite drive and always will be. God bless ya and stay safe with everything going on. 😉😉😉
These stories about the work, the failure, the great times of the ASA days all the way to Cup is why Mark has always been my racing hero.
Gary Balough (#73) raced at East Windsor Speedway in NJ back when I was a kid. My grandfather would drive one hour to come home from work on Friday, grab me, and drive over another hour to go to East Windsor to watch the races. It's amazing that Mark Martin talked about him. So awesome!
He had one of my favorite paint schemes ever. That early 90's thunderbird valvoline scheme is iconic. It just fit that cars body lines perfectly.
Mark Martin, has always been a class act!!! ❤️
I would love for Dale Jr and Mark Martin to do more podcast together ! Two of the greatest NASCAR drivers ever in my book ! That would be so cool 😎 !
Mark Martin....The personification of class.💫👍🏽
This era of drivers were the absolutely best!! Could you imagine today’s NASCAR drivers even talking like this??? Amazing
Love watching these old time Nascar Drives and owners talk. Never know what they will tell
Mark sounds like a cool guy to hang out with. Not afraid to tell the stories ups and downs. Watched a few clips now. Very interesting
Great video !!
I watched Mark and all the asa guys for a long time and I remember ," the three legged dog", car kicking every bodies butt!!
There was a guy named Boyce who built tar cars and who heavy duty loaded the left side with lead too.
Dick Trickle, and Jim Back raced together and it was worth sticking around after the races to watch them load the two cars on the hauler and trailer as they had planks between the two. They'd spin the planks out now and then and then the fun started.
Whitey Harris was a neighbor of mine and ran dirt cars in the 6os. I started building some then and eventually built a 4-wheel independent Super modified dirt car with some help from Bill Hites books. He built extreme offset 4-wheel drive tar cars the set a new track record every time he showed up. They finally outlawed his cars.
I bought a sprint car and settled down learning to drive it and then ran with WOO every chance it got plus the local shows that paid enough for me to have fun until I ran out of money.
Those were great times and thanks for the memories.
Charles Hugh Bryan Charles, did Whitey Harris run a white #1 car in that era, with the #1 a red, white and blue scheme similar to Evel Knievel’s #1? Reason I ask is, my favorite driver in 1970, at a long gone dirt track right on the Illinois/Wisconsin border, was a Whitey Harris in a white #1. On my birthday that year, I had my birthday cake made to reflect his car color and number, then I had a picture taken of Whitey and I with the cake. Also got to sit in his car; I didn’t want to get out (those pictures are somewhere, but where somewhere happens to be is......well).
Don’t keep up with racing at all now but love to hear the old drivers from the past talk about the times of starting out. They worked for what they had. Today’s generation doesn’t seem to appreciate the opportunities they have now how easy it is. Not saying racing is easy but most drivers don’t seem to understand how much work past drivers did to get where they wanted to getting the sport.
I've always liked Gordon but tell ya Mark is a hell of a driver. That guy could run anything that had a motor. He'll always have my respect. Lewiston, Maine
Wow Mark Martin.
I always refer to him as the working man's racer.
My great friend Loy Allen and Loy Allen Jr tell me Mark Martin was always a class act when they drove against each other.
Mark Martin is the best driver to not win a Cup championship. He was just a little short in the luck department.
I was really pulling for him in the 2015 Daytona 500. He came within a few hundred feet of winning that one. Heartbreak again.
My Favorite race car driver Mark Martin
Always been my favorite driver.
Mark Martin is one of my top 5 drivers of all time. How I miss the old days
He'll always be one of the best ever.
I miss the old days am happy June bug is still in NASCAR
It's a hell of a story there, amazing but Mark's always been amazing person!
Hey Mark Martin we miss you so much but I used to watch you all the time on the TV take care of yourself your biggest fan
Thankfully Mark stuck it out and made his comeback and in the end the fans won; as we got to enjoy seeing him compete in the sport for many years.
MM is the best example of raw talent in racing. He is 100% still capable of winning a cup race today.
Mark will and always be my favorite driver of all time met him twice at Daytona took the time for his fans dude is a ultimate champion regardless of the record books just raced against Dale sr Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson all in their primes and gave them all hell in 3 different decades that’s a hell of a racer if you ask me..
I liked reading Mark’s book,especially the early ‘80’s stories.
Other than junior who should have had one in 04. Martin is the one I feel most sorry for not winning a championship or Daytona for that matter.
Lmao! The right guy won in 04
@@godisgood1359 I agree!
You both know what opinions are like! As sholes everyone has one.
If junior hadnt been docked those points his motivation wouldn't have been zapped he would have won. opinion
@@carshunter-ct9mr same for Mark in '91 I believe. Shoulda, woulda, coulda all night long.
Thanks. Might be your best interview.
What a LEGEND! LOVE Mark Martin to death. His transparency is humbling.
still my hero, enjoyed working with him when he drove for us at hendrick in the 5 car best technical driver i ever worked for .....
Excellent thanks guys 😎💪🇺🇸🎯
Mark Martin should have 1 championship. 1990
MM is a man that knew is purpose. Even at his lowest point, he knew that he was a racer.
Great story of perserverance💕
📻🎧
I would love to hear Mark's stories about Anderson Speedway... it's sad my hometown track has gone down hill since these great nascar legends dont race on it anymore...
Sure is easy listening to Mark tell stories.
I spent a lot of time smokin' over that '80 Camaro at Winchester for two days, got a glance here and there a glance at a time. Very impressed to this day.
I remeber marks first time at fair grounds speedway in springfield mo and heres an orange number 2 car with a red headed 14 year old kid unloading to race with the men. 75 Larry Phillps the legend. Right but it was on and these two got it on so awesome that they put then on tv and took the rest of the cars to pit. And it was larry and mark door to door and racing so awesome. But one day on my bike i stopped and would ask larry phillps if i could get a drink out of the fountain. He let me and start talking about racing. Right there the door swung open this red headed kid took a drink turned said hi to me holding wrenches smiled bigger hell at me and walked get in shop. I looked at larry and him just started laughing he got up told me walk through that door. And theres mark martin working on larry phillps car. Mark was so cool and they let me hangout we talked and when it was done now i have two heros. Thank you im old now but i still remenber like it was five minutes ago.
Please share every Larry Phillips story you can tell. On Saturday nights at Tri-State Speedway near Ft Smith Arkansas, Larry was who I rooted for.
Chris Hardesty I lived about two blocks from the fairgrounds there. I remember seeing Larry Phillips, Mark Martin, and Rusty Wallace race there although at that time Mark and Rusty were not regulars in Springfield. Rusty was fast but kept spinning out. Larry would start from the back and pass half the field between the green flag and turn one.
More should be said about Jr Hanley a real all out racer and builder from Canada. He was an innovator from the very start down here in Nova Scotia and then in Ontario. The weekly racers know of him for sure.
saw him at oxford many times!