In This Corner Wearing the White Trunks...
Current NASCAR
Just saw these Darlington ads:
They chose the "Boys Have at It" theme over "Danica Darlington Debut."
updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:04:08PM
Forum Activity for @dave-fulton
Current NASCAR
updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:04:08PM
Rap Music Instead of Coffee for this Veteran Driver
General
Who'd a thunk ole Mark Martin listened to rap music... but then I still consider him a youngster!
Age isn't slowing Mark Martin down yet
by Mark Armijo - Feb. 29, 2012 08:26 PM
Special for The Republic
Mark Martin is going to start acting his age one of these years. Maybe next year. Or the year after.
But not now.
Martin, 53, seems ageless, a prominent NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wheelman for nearly three decades.
If the end is in sight, Martin hardly acts like someone turning the final corner in a mostly splendid career.
Martin still spends more time in the gym than a body builder and may be the only driver on NASCAR's pit road with rapper Dr. Dre cued into his iPod.
"Rap music is like a cup of coffee for me," Martin said. "It wakes me up and gets me going. I listen to it when I work out. I love the energy.
"The real motivation in music for me is Dr. Dre. He's the king who laid down all these songs for guys like Eminem, Snoop and 50 Cent. He just makes magic."
Magic?
If Dr. Dre is magic, then the meek-appearing Martin, who at 5-feet-6 looks like a thimble standing next to 6-5 car owner Michael Waltrip, is magical.
Just when you think Martin may be down for the count -- poof! -- he goes and finishes 10{+t},{+h} in Monday's Daytona 500 for a second consecutive year, giving Michael Waltrip Racing its best finish among its three-driver contingent.
Martin joined MWR this season following a three-year stint with the powerful Rick Hendrick Motorsports team, and in doing so, chose to limit his schedule this season to 24 of 36 races in the No. 55 Aaron's Toyota Camry.
Although a reduced schedule means Martin has no chance to collar what would be his first championship title, ask Martin if he cares.
"Do you see this big old smile on my face?" said Martin, a five-time series runner-up who has two career wins at Phoenix International Raceway, site of Sunday's Subway Fresh Fit 500. "This is exactly where I want to be in life right now."
In fact, Martin believes he owes the Waltrip organization for allowing him an opportunity to motor forward with a part-time schedule.
"I want to help these guys build a strong foundation so that they can be competitive week in and week out and realize their potential," said Martin, who with 40 career wins is No. 17 on the all-time list.
Few, if any, doubt Martin will be successful.
"Mark is still very capable of running up front and helping a team get to victory lane," former driver and current ESPN analyst Dale Jarrett said. "He's an incredible specimen as far as someone taking care of himself physically. And he still has talent."
Teammate Clint Bowyer, 32, is impressed.
"There's not too many 50-year-old people that can run in a young man's game," Bowyer said. "His work ethic is the reason why. His determination, dedication to the sport is the reason he is able to do that at the age that he is."
But for how much longer?
Could Martin, who aside from a five-win season in 2009 is winless in five of the past six seasons, possibly stay too long and tarnish his resume?
"Mark isn't going to diminish anything he's accomplished," Jarrett said.
Martin hardly seems worried.
"I hope to stay involved in the sport in some way for a long time," said Martin, who was 50 years old when he finished series runner-up to Jimmie Johnson in 2009.
With 831 career starts, which is No. 5 on the all-time list, who's going to argue?
Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/sports/speed/articles/2012/02/29/20120229nascar-age-isnt-slowing-mark-martin.html#ixzz1nsLdJ4CL
updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM
Another Suspension (Don't Call Danica Names on the Air)
Current NASCAR
Feb 29, 3:15 PM EST
Anchor suspended for comment about Danica Patrick
SAN DIEGO (AP) -- A San Diego TV sports anchor has been suspended for implying a sexist slur when talking about race car driver Danica Patrick.
Fox 5 San Diego tweeted late Tuesday that Ross Shimabuku has been suspended without pay for a week for his comments about Patrick before her Sprint Cup debut in the Daytona 500.
The anchor stopped just short of calling Patrick a derogatory name on the air after the NASCAR driver complained the media always describe female athletes like her as "sexy."
When the broadcast returned to Shimabuku, he responded by saying: "Oh, I've got a few words . Starts with a `B', and it's not `beautiful.' "
Shimabuku has since apologized. He joined the station in 2009.
2012 The Associated Press
updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:04:08PM
On to Phoenix
Current NASCAR
Go over to Smith Tower at Charlotte Motor Speedway... take off the glasses and get this man a hat... voila!!
On to Phoenix
Current NASCAR
http://www.wolo-mfg.com/430-stereo.wav
For you youngsters and newbies... that is NOT Danica on the roof of The General Lee!
updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:04:08PM
Overlooked in the Daytona 500 Hoopla?
Current NASCAR
You know what I thought was one of the best thing's about the 2012 Daytona 500?
After all the celebrity no-shows for the Monday night 500, somebody asked Leonard Wood to give the Start Engine command.
Good move.
They don't come any nicer in racing and nobody has given any more to the sport. Every time I pass the China Grove exit on I-85 north of Charlotte I just want to cry.
I can't go by without thinking of Leonard losing his wife there returning home to Stuart, Virginia from the Winston in May 1997. Their van was hit head on head on by a car that crossed the grass median. That led to cable barriers being erected on the grassy NC Interstate medians. It was too late for Betty Mae Wood, but countless lives have been saved since as a result of Leonard & daughter, Beth's loss that May night in 1997.
To me, Leonard Wood giving the "Command" was one of the highlights of the Daytona 500 telecast.
Leonard Wood Gives Start Engine Command at 2012 Daytona 500
updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:04:08PM
After this weeks race finish do you have any different feelings of him now??
Current NASCAR
She was a good little shoe.
Y'all settle it. I gotta go!