Martin eyes first Cup title
The oldest driver in Sprint Cup happens to be the best one in the sport this season. He’s won more races than Tony Stewart. Has more poles than Jimmie Johnson.
He has earned more respect than any other driver in the garage and is the sentimental favorite to win his first Cup title.
At 50 years old, Mark Martin defies his age on the track. Martin may be the elder statesmen, but that hasn’t stopped the gray-haired veteran from chasing the championship.
He leads the points standings heading into Week 2 of the Chase for the championship at Dover International Speedway, the concrete track where he’s won four times. Keep up this pace, and he’ll finally have that elusive first championship.
“I’m having the time of my life,” Martin said.
When the green flag drops on Sunday, Martin will officially make his 750th Cup start, making him only the ninth driver in history to reach that mark. He was 40 wins, 253 top-five finishes and 411 top-10s in 749 starts.
The one number that seems the most astounding of them all is his age: 50. At a time in life when most athletes have long settled into cozy retirement, Martin is among the rare breed that not only actively participates, but thrives.
“Why is he still doing so good at that age? I think it has less to do with his age and more to do with the fact that he’s really hungry,” first-time Chase driver Brian Vickers said.
Nationwide Series
Clint Bowyer raced to his second Nationwide Series victory of the season, taking the lead with 83 laps to go on the concrete at Dover (Del.) International Speedway.
Mike Bliss was second.
Trucks Series
Johnny Sauter raced to his first career NASCAR Trucks Series victory, taking the lead from Matt Crafton with 17 laps left and holding on to win the Las Vegas 350.
Crafton, who took over the lead following a caution period with 26 laps remaining, held on to finish second in the 146-lap race on the 1.5-mile oval.
Formula One
Lewis Hamilton of McLaren took the pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix, while Formula One championship leader Jenson Button had a “disastrous” qualifying session.
Button will start from 12th on the grid, behind even Brawn GP teammate Rubens Barrichello. The Brazilian finished fifth despite a late crash, but was demoted five spots to 10th for having made a gearbox change.