Subway 500 - Mark Martin Notes

MARTIN, VIAGRA RACING TEAM LOOK TO MARTINSVILLE

Martin and the Viagra Racing Team return to the action this week at Martinsville for the final short track race of the season.

THE CAR
The Viagra Racing Team will take RRC-106 to Martinsville this weekend. RRC-106 is a new car that will make its first run at Martinsville.

IN THE POINTS
Martin is currently 17th in the Winston Cup point standings, 251 points outside of 10th place.

DID YOU KNOW?
Martin earned his first top-five finish in the 1981 Old Dominion 500 on Sept. 27, 1981.

FAST FACTS

· Martin posted three straight poles at Martinsville beginning in the fall of 1990 and sweeping 1991.
· Martin has scored four top-10 finishes, including one victory, in his last seven races at Martinsville.
· Martin's first ever Winston Cup top-five finish came at Martinsville on Sept. 27, 1981 in the Old Dominion 500.
· Martin has won twice at Martinsville, during the spring of 1992 and the spring of 2000.
· Martin has finished in the top-10 in five of the last eight races at Martinsville and seven of the last 12.

QUOTING MARK AND BEN

MARK MARTIN ON MARTINSVILLE
"There is a lot of history at Martinsville and it does have some enduring qualities, but to be honest with you it's just not big enough for 43 cars to race. There isn't enough room to pass and it can make for a really tough day. I believe that we used to run only 34 cars there and that was too many. It's probably not my favorite place to race, but it is a challenge each and every time. You need to get off to a good start and qualify well so you can try to start and stay up front.

"If you go there and get a lap down, it can be a long day. With the new 'lucky dog' rule, you are going to see a lot more cars on the lead lap when the race is over, because there could be anywhere from 14 to 18 cautions each time a car will go back to the lead lap. It should make for an interesting race this weekend."

CREW CHIEF BEN LESLIE ON MARTINSVILLE
"Martinsville can be one of the most challenging tracks on the circuit. It's really hard to pass there so track position is important. Hopefully we can get off to a good start and have a good qualifying effort on Friday. We are taking a new car and hopefully we'll be able to get off to a good start."

LAST SEASON AT THE OLD DOMINION 500
OCTOBER 20, 2002 - Martinsville Speedway
Old Dominion 500 - Started 20th, Finished 10th

Martin and the team struggled with the car for the first half of the 500-lap race, before settling in for the final 250 laps. Martin didn't break into the top 10 until lap 444, but the veteran hung on the rest of the way, holding off a feverish run by points leader Tony Stewart in the final laps to hold on to 10th place.

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