Mark Martin: It’s the Pits Stupid!
What is it about retiring Mark Martin and those in need of a stop on pit road? He must have one of those racing video game type alerts on the side of the #6. You know the ones that flash and beep “pit in” when your digital racer is in need of service.
For the second time in two events, this time in final practice, someone attempting to enter pit road cut down in front of Martin and destroyed a competitive race car. Martin will have to roll out a back-up after Tony Raines drove into Martin, who was trying to pass and couldn’t escape contact.
“It’s unfortunate for Mark, and the last thing we wanted to do was affect a car in the Chase,” said Philippe Lopez, competition director for Hall of Fame Racing, the team owned by former Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach.
And not exactly the type of story Aikman, Staubach or Raines needed at their home event. It could have been worse in a sense. Martin may still have an outside shot a a title as a member of the Chase but the local media would have gone into a frenzy if Raines had hit Terry Labonte in the final race of his career.
Brother Bobby was asked if he and Terry were coming down to the flag side-by-side for the win Sunday if he would let “Texas Terry” go out a winner in his 848th and final Cup race: “Well, I don’t know,” Bobby said. “Nah, I’d probably take him out on the last lap, see if he would retaliate.”
Terry Labonte had to take a provisional and will start at the rear of Sunday’s field, but he has a plan. And it sounds like something we have all heard before: “Yeah, I think if I need a caution, I’m going to throw some roll bar rubber out because, I figure, what the heck, they can’t suspend me,” he said, jokingly. “If they fine me, I’m not coming back anyway, so I don’t have to pay that.”
In the other NON-news out of Texas, Kevin Harvick wins again. Again in dominating fashion although he crossed under the checkers out of gas. Harvick laughed as he took the checkered flag and said on the radio: “Out of gas, boys. Awesome!”
Texas Motor Speedway, NASCAR, NEXTEL Cup, Terry Labonte, Sports, Mark Martin, Auto Racing, Motorsports, Full Throttle
A bit of advice Mark? Take the high line when approaching pit in, it may save your life, let alone your car! Last weeks after race interview gave me the impression that Mark had lost interest in the Chase outcome. He’d better refocus his attention for the good of other drivers if not himself.
I haven’t seen the tape of this weeks episode but you’re being a little unfair in regards to the Atlanta incident.
It’s always been understood entering the pits the driver should be as low on the track as possible. Yelley clearly dove for the pits from the high groove into the path of Martin.
Not a good thing, and J.J. acknowledged as much later in the week when asked.
In either case, I don’t think Mark was attempting to pit; he fell foul of someone else trying to get to pit lane. I agree last week was more Yeley’s gaff than Mark’s: But when it happens two weeks in a row, it makes me wonder if Mark has lost it.
And I LIKE Mark, which is what has me concerned!