Mark Martin Fast Facts
Coke 600
MARTIN LOOKS TO REPEAT COKE 600 SUCCESS
After a strong third-place run in the Nextel All-Star Challenge last week, Martin and the No. 01 U.S. Army Team return to Lowe's Motor Speedway with their sights set on the Coca-Cola 600. Martin will look to expand on his legendary success at LMS with another win in the circuit's longest race.
THE COKE 600
Starts: 23 (44 @ Lowe's)
Wins: 1 (4)
Top 5's: 7 (17)
Top 10's: 9 (21)
Poles: 2 (1)
Highest finish: 1st (2002)
First time: 5/30/82 (27th)
Last time: 5.28/06 (4th)
Worthy Note: Martin has four wins at Lowe's including a win in the 2002 Coca-Cola 600.
MARTIN AT LOWE'S
Martin has four wins at Lowe's, including one in the 600. In addition, he has won twice at Lowe's in the All-Star event. His 17 top-five finishes are the most of any active driver at the 1.5-mile track. He also boasts six Busch wins and two IROC wins at Lowe's as well.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING - LOWES
Martin has led 1,168 laps at LMS, the most of any active driver. He has an average finish of 16.205 and an average running position of 11.448. He has made 156 quality passes in the last two seasons at LMS and his 21 top 10 and 17 top-five finishes are tops among active drivers.
MARTIN AT THE 600
This will be Martin's 24th Coca-Cola 600. Martin's first run in the then World 600 was on May 30, 1982. He won the event in 2002 and has turned in seven top-five and 9 top 10 finishes at the 600. He finished fourth in the 600 last season and has finished top five in two of the last three.
AMERICAN HEROES
Martin's car will carry a special American Heroes Decal on the hood of the car this weekend in honor of Memorial Day and those who gave their lives defending our nation.
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 one of the biggest races of the year and I'm really looking forward to racing in it with Ryan Pemberton and the U.S. Army Team. These guys have just been awesome all year. We had a really good car last week for the All-Star. I like this car even better, so we can't wait to get it out there on the track and see what we can do.
"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."
FAST FACTS – CHARLOTTE
Martin has four wins at Lowe's Motor Speedway, including the 2002 Coke 600.
Martin has 21 top-10 and 17 top-five finishes at Lowe's. The 21 top-10's are the most of any driver.
Martin has led 1,168 laps at Lowe's, the most of any active driver.
Martin has won six Busch races at Lowe's and two All-Star events (1998 and 2005)
Martin won both IROC races at Lowes in '96 and '97.
Martin finished fourth in the Coca-Cola 600 last year.
Martin finished third at Lowe's last weekend in the All-Star.
LAST YEAR AT THE COKE 600
May 20, 2006 –
Lowe's Motor Speedway
Coca-Cola 600
Started 21st, Finished 4th
Sound strategy, patience, complete focus and a fast race car were the ingredients used by Martin and the team for the Coca-Cola 600. The result was a fourth-place finish in the longest race of the season. Martin joined all five of his Roush Racing teammates inside the top-10 and his second top-five finish of the season moved him up one spot to third in the Nextel Cup point standings. Martin passed former Roush teammate Matt Kenseth in a daring pass on the final lap of the 400-lap race for the fourth position after moving into the top five for the remainder of the race on lap 367. Martin started the race 21st after an early draw limited his qualifying effort on Thursday afternoon. Working with a new surface and a new tire, Martin struggled with a loose car early on, dropping back to 29th place by lap 11. Martin reported that the car’s handling had come around by lap 17, and Martin began to move back through the field.
