Mark Martin
Bristol Motor Speedway, Aug. 23-26
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series: Sharpie 500, Aug. 26
Fast Facts
Mark Martin has two victories at Bristol (8/98 and 9/93), both coming in the fall race.
Martin's seven poles at Bristol tie for the most ever.
Martin won four consecutive poles at Bristol in 1995-96.
Martin has posted 21 top-10 and 15 top-five finishes in 39 races at Bristol.
From '95-‘00 Martin scored 10 straight top 10's at Bristol.
Crew chief Pat Tryson scored his first career Cup win at Bristol in 2001. His pit strategy was vital in the victory by the No. 21 Wood Brothers Ford.
Mark Martin
Team: No. 6 AAA Ford Fusion
Crew Chief: Pat Tryson
Chassis: RK-274 Last ran at Bristol in March; finished sixth
Best finish is a third place at Martinsville in the spring of 2005.
Martin on racing at Bristol Motor Speedway:
"I've had some of the most memorable races I can remember there and some pretty tough times there as well. We've had a lot of trouble staying out of the wrecks lately there, but we were able to avoid them to finish top-10 there in the spring, and we are really optimistic going back this weekend. Bristol can be crazy. I've always said it is like flying a jet fighter around the inside of a basketball arena, and try that with 42 other jets doing it at the same time. It can get really intense and it takes a great deal of patience by everyone. You just have to hope that you run well and that you can stay out of all the trouble, which isn't always easy to do. Over the years Bristol has been the source of some real highs and lows for me.
"We needed a good finish at Michigan and we were able to do that, so if we can just keep our nose clean this weekend and then post another strong run at Fontana, hopefully we can get close to sealing the deal on making the Chase and then we can shift our focus to going after that championship."
Crew Chief Pat Tryson on racing at Bristol Motor Speedway:
"Bristol can really be a tough place to go. We've had some really good cars, but we've also had some really awful breaks. We were able to get a top 10 there in the spring, and we are taking the same car back this weekend, so we like our chances. Bristol is wild and crazy and as a team you have to be ready for just about anything. Hopefully we can get a good qualifying run on Friday and that always helps, as you don't want to start the race a half a lap down at the green flag."
