Martin proves that in NASCAR old guys rule

Who needs teenage development drivers? Or young guns fresh out of high school ready to take NASCAR by storm?

Saturday night in Phoenix a 50-year-old man proved that old age and experience is able to cause his own storm.

Mark Martin’s victory Saturday was without a doubt the feel good win of the year. And the overwhelming majority of fans and competitors alike had a reason to cheer when the checkered flag fell.

“I don’t think there’s anybody that’s not a Mark Martin fan,” said Tony Stewart who finished second.  “Nobody works harder to stay in shape to be good and fit and ready to go than Mark does.  And when you see somebody that works that hard at it, you like to see the results come for him, too.”

Martin’s victory certainly wasn’t a cakewalk. He started on the pole, but was forced to fight his way to the front on several occasions. He took the lead for the final time on lap 307 of the 312-lap contest and cruised to victory.

It was his first win in 97 races.

“We made a couple of early adjustments, but after that we never made adjustments,” said Martin. “There were cars better than us in the middle of the race, but it came to us. At the end, nobody could run with us."

The win helps to validate Martin’s decision for one more full season and perhaps one more shot at a Cup Series title, something that has eluded him for nearly 3 decades. After announcing his retirement at the end of 2005, and a farewell tour, Martin returned to help his team owner at the time Jack Roush the following year and finished 9th in the season ending points.

Then he said he was hanging up his helmet.

But in 2007 and 2008, Martin returned for a part time stint with first Ginn Racing then Dale Earnhardt Incorporated after a merger. Most expected Martin to fade into obscurity but a one-time ride in a Hendrick Motorsports Nationwide series car had Martin wanting to compete for at least one more full season. So he signed with Hendrick Motorsports for 2009 and got behind the wheel on the No. 5 Chevy.

“I did this because I wanted to do it out of love,” Martin said. “You know, I do it for the passion of what I have, and I don't have anything else with that kind of passion.  I haven't found anything to fill that void and drive me like racing and all those things.”

Martin is now 13 in driver points just 9 markers from 12th place and the all important spot for the Chase for the Cup. His win Saturday night was great for NASCAR, for fans and competitors alike. Should he continue to win races and go on to win the championship that has eluded him in is career, it will be the feel good story of the year, not only for NASCAR but also for all of sports.

“I think this generation where everybody is supposed to retire a lot earlier, the longevity seems a lot more realistic now,” Stewart said. “It just shows that a guy like him can kick our butts just like anybody else.”

And if Martin decides to race beyond this season, no one will mind at all.