Despite late concerns about having enough fuel, Martin, 50, won his second race of the year Saturday night at Darlington Raceway. It was also Martin’s second win at the track. The win came a few days after Martin extended his contract with Hendrick Motorsports to race the full season in 2010.
“It’s absolutely unbelievable,” Martin said. “This is a big surprise. We had a strong car, but I never expected to win. Alan Gustafson is absolutely the best. I may have been his childhood hero, but I’m living a second childhood now—and he’s my childhood hero.
“He’s Superman,” Martin said of Johnson. “Three championships in a row. The guy’s incredible. I thought he was trying to snooker me, lollygag back there and all of a sudden mash the gas, and I’d be off-guard. I was trying to save gas, but I couldn’t let him get near me, because I know how tough he is.
Below is a look at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series top 12, along with other notable drivers, going into the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on May 24. (Note: Drivers listed below who are outside the top 12 are chosen based on past performances at the upcoming track and/or are within striking distance of the top 12.)
1 – Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet)
• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 109.8
2009 Rundown
• One win, six top fives, eight top 10s
• Average finish of 9.7
• Led eight races for a total of 496 laps
Lowe’s Motor Speedway Outlook:
• Five wins, 15 top fives, 18 top 10s; seven poles
• Average finish of 16.1
• Finished eighth in October
• Led 21 of 32 races for 579 laps
Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
• Series-high 291 Fastest Laps Run
2 – Tony Stewart (No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet)
• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 100.9
2009 Rundown
• Five top fives, eight top 10s
• Average finish of 9.5
• Led five races for 54 laps
Lowe’s Motor Speedway Outlook:
• One win, six top fives, 11 top 10s
• Average finish of 13.1
• Finished 11th in October
• Led 11 of 20 races for 595 laps
Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
• Average Running Position of 10.4, fourth-best
3 – Kurt Busch (No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge)
• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 100.7
2009 Rundown
• One win, three top fives, six top 10s
• Average finish of 10.3
• Led seven races for 322 laps
Lowe’s Motor Speedway Outlook:
• Three top fives
• Average finish of 20.8
• Finished third in October
• Led eight of 17 races for 238 laps
Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
• Average Running Position of 9.8, second-best
4 – Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet)
• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 100.7
2009 Rundown
• One win, five top fives, seven top 10s
• Average finish of 13.7
• Led nine races for 313 laps
Lowe’s Motor Speedway Outlook:
• Five wins, eight top fives, 12 top 10s; two poles
• Average finish of 8.9
• Finished sixth in October
• Led 14 of 15 races for 1,236 laps
Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
• Average Running Position of 10.4, fifth-best
Click Here to read More:
Mark Martin Still Motoring - Grabs Sprint Cup Victory at Darlington
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: Darlington Raceway - Race Results
5 – Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Toyota)
• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 100.3
2009 Rundown
• Two top fives, four top 10s
• Average finish of 12.5
• Led four races for 479 laps
Lowe’s Motor Speedway Outlook:
• Three top 10s
• Average finish of 16.3
• Finished 16th in October
• Led four of seven races for 28 laps
Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
• Average Running Position of 10.3, third-most
6 – Jeff Burton (No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet)
• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 84.9
2009 Rundown
• Two top fives, five top 10s
• Average finish of 13.5
• Led two races for 67 laps
Lowe’s Motor Speedway Outlook:
• Three wins, eight top fives, 15 tops 10s
• Average finish of 14.4
• Won October’s Lowe’s Motor Speedway race
• Led nine of 30 races for 428 laps
Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
• Laps in the Top 15 percentage of 70.5%, seventh-best
| 
|