Mark Martin
Lowe's Advance
MARTIN LOOKS TO BEST THE BEAST
After taking a week's hiatus, Mark Martin returns to the No. 01 U.S. Army Chevrolet for the Bank of America 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Considered one of his favorite tracks on the circuit, Martin will look to add to his rich heritage at the 1.5-mile oval.
AT CHARLOTTE
Starts: 44 (20)
Wins: 4 (3)
Top 5's: 17 (10)
Top 10's: 21 (12)
Poles: 2 (1)
Highest finish: 1st (4 times)
First time:5/3/82 (27th)
Last time: 5/27/07 (11th)
Last year: 10/14/06 (30th)
Worthy Note: Martin has a better average finish in 2007 (12.4) than 10 of the 12 drivers in the Chase.
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 as are his 21 top 10's. In addition he boasts six Busch wins and two IROC wins.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING - LOWE'S
Martin has led 1,168 laps at LMS, the most of any active driver. He has an average finish of 15.6 and an average running position of 11.3778. He has made 199 quality passes in the last two seasons at LMS and his driver rating of 95.8 is the third best at the track.
PART TIME SCHEDULE, FULL-TIME RESULTS
This will be Martin's 21st start in 2007. Despite having taken 10 races off this season, Martin is still 26th in the Nextel Cup driver standings. Martin has a better average finish (12.4) than 10 of the 12 drivers in the "Chase for the Nextel Cup."
NO PRESSURE
This marks the first year since its inception that Mark Martin is not racing in the "Chase for the Nextel Cup." Martin was one of only three drivers to make the Chase in each of its first three seasons. Martin walked away from point racing in March, while leading the Nextel Cup point standings. He will take part in six of the final 10 races that make up the 'Chase.' Martin has finished fourth (Dover) and 12th (Kansas) in the two Chase races he has taken part of in 2007.
QUOTING MARK
"I love racing at Lowe's Motor Speedway. It is probably my favorite track on the entire circuit. 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 1982 and thinking- 'wow' - this is just like a small quarter-mile track somewhere, except it's huge, but you could race just like that. Usually when we go there, I go out and take one lap and radio my team that, 'I love this place.'
"I'm really looking forward to going back there with Ryan Pemberton and the guys on this No. 01 U.S. Army Team. We had a great run there in the spring in the All-Star race and then another strong run in the 600. The track really just suits my driving style and it really plays to my strong points as a race car driver. I've had a lot of great moments there over the years and I would love nothing more than to add to those memories there this weekend with another strong run and hopefully we can contend for a win. These guys on this team have been through so much this season and I'd love nothing more than to help take them to victory lane at Charlotte."
FAST FACTS
Martin has four wins at Lowe's Motor Speedway, including the 2002 Coke 600.
Martin has 21 top-10 finishes at Lowe's - the most of any active driver.
Martin's 17 top-five finishes at Lowe's are the most of any active 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 Lowe’s in '96 and '97.
Martin finished third at Lowe's this year in the All-Star race and 11th in the 600.
Martin's 12.4 average finish in 2007 is better than 10 of the 12 drivers in the 'Chase' for the Nextel Cup and better than all but two of the full-time drivers on the circuit.
LAST YEAR AT LOWES...
0ct. 14 ,2006 –
Lowe's Motor Speedway
Started 7th, Finished 30th
Mark Martin was truly in his element for most of the race Saturday night at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Running at his favorite race track, Martin started seventh and had run virtually the entire race inside the top 10. He took over the Nextel Cup points lead on lap 175 and he passed the No. 8 four laps later to move into the top five for the first time of the race. Martin just completed a green-flag pit stop on lap 239 when, moments later, his promising night came to a crashing halt, when rookie J.J. Yeley made a careless move attempting to enter the pits. Martin attempted to clear Yeley’s No. 18 car low, but Yeley cut him off, sending him crashing into the wall head on. A testament to NASCAR’s safety initiatives, Martin was able to climb out of the car unharmed, even standing on the side of the car and saluting the cheering fans in turn four.
