Marlin Heading To California With Plenty of Confidence

FONTANA, Calif. (Feb. 21, 2007)— Sterling Marlin started from the back of the field (40th) in last week’s season-opening Daytona 500 and drove his way to the front, heading for a top-10 finish before being collected in a wreck on the last corner of the final lap.

But despite the 17th-place finish he was credited with, Marlin is full of confidence as he heads to California Speedway with his Ginn Racing team for Sunday's Auto Club 500.

“Last weekend produced a disappointing finish, but that’s the only thing that was disappointing,” said Marlin, who will pilot the No. 14 Panasonic Chevrolet in this weekend’s race. “Our car was fast off the truck, we had a great qualifying effort on Pole Day and a solid race during the (Daytona) 500."

“Unfortunately we got collected in an accident on the closing lap," Marlin added. "But the fact remains that we had a great overall performance during Speedweeks and that’s where the confidence we’re taking with us to California comes from.”

As the team travels to the West Coast for Sunday’s Nextel Cup event, crew chief Slugger Labbe believes another strong showing is in store for his No. 14 Panasonic team.

“All the guys on the crew did an exceptional job throughout Speedweeks,” said Labbe. “We’ve been working hard in the off season to improve at the intermediate tracks and I’m looking forward to showing off what we’ve done."

“Right now we’re top 20 in points,” Labbe continued. “I want to go to California, pick up a top-10 finish, and start climbing our way even higher in the standings.”

This weekend's 250-lap, 500-mile event marks the first of 12 races that Panasonic will be the primary sponsor on Marlin's No. 14 Chevrolet. They will be an associate for the remainder of the season.

“We’ve got a good race team and a good chance for a top 10 or better finish this weekend,” added Marlin. “Giving Panasonic a solid result their first weekend on the side of my car would be a pretty cool thing, and I have all the confidence in the world that we can get that done."

Sunday's event will be broadcast live on FOX beginning with a prerace show at 3 p.m. ET.

Last week at Daytona
Marlin started 40th, finished 17th. Was in the 10th position when the 25 car (Mears) shot down the track and into the side of his car during the final wreck (Lap 202). Currently 17th in driver point standings.

Last year at California
Marlin started 17th, finished 32nd. Fought an ultra-tight car throughout the event. Fell to 37th in driver points following the event.