QUOTING MARK
“Lowe’s Motor Speedway is probably my favorite track on the circuit. I just love racing there. In my opinion, it’s the greatest place to race in the world. I can remember the first time that I ever went there in 1981 and thinking ‘wow’ this is just like a small quarter-mile track somewhere, except it’s huge, but you could race just like that. The 600 is the longest race of the season and it can really be a test for a team. We won the 600 in 2002 and it is still one of the biggest wins of my career. We had a good car for the All-Star Race and we are bringing it back this weekend. It would be great to take that No. 8 U.S. Army Chevy to victory lane in the Coke 600.
“It’s also a great honor to be able to drive for the U.S. Army and to represent all of the soldiers on Memorial Day weekend. I’d love nothing more than to be able to win the race for all of those guys who are out there defending our country and also for those who have given their lives in that same fight for freedom. Those guys are the real heroes.”
MARK MARTIN FAST FACTS
Martin has four wins at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, including the 2002 Coca-Cola 600.
Martin has 21 top-10 and 17 top-five finishes at Lowe’s. The 21 top-10s are the most of any active driver.
Martin has led 1,168 laps at Lowe’s, the most of any active driver.
Martin has won six Nationwide Series races at Lowe’s and two All-Star events (1998 and 2005)
Martin won both IROC races at Lowe’s in ‘96 and ‘97.
Martin finished 11th in the Coca-Cola 600 last year.
Martin finished ninth at Lowe’s last weekend in the All-Star Challenge.
LAST YEAR AT THE 600…
May 27, 2007 –
Lowe’s Motor Speedway
Started 11th, Finished 11th
In a wild and crazy ending at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Mark Martin and the U.S. Army Team notched an 11th place finish in Sunday night’s Coca-Cola 600.
Martin and the No. 01 team overcame an early flat tire to battle back on the lead lap, and were running in fifth position with just nine laps remaining in the season’s longest race. Lacking the amount of fuel needed to go the distance, Martin brought his No. 01 U.S. Army Chevy down pit road for a splash of gas on lap 392.
The top-six finishing cars gambled to stay out and were able to go the distance, forcing the No. 01 team to settle for 11th; despite the fact that Martin had ran inside the top 10 for the previous 180 laps.
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