Revitalized Martin taking one last shot at the Cup

Rick Hendrick (left) hired Mark Martin because he feels the veteran driver has a legitimate shot at the 2009 Sprint Cup title. Sam Greenwood/Getty Images Tim Tuttle's Mailbag Submit a comment or question for Tim. Name: Email: Hometown: Question: SEND

Deep down inside, Mark Martin understands it's unlikely he can win the Sprint Cup championship next year. He'll be 50 years old, admittedly past his prime, and two years removed from the rigors of a full season.

Martin will try, of course, because that's what consummate professionals do, and he's made a commitment to run the full schedule for Rick Hendrick. It was the only way Martin could get the job in the No. 5. He'd have preferred another 24- to 26-race program, but it wasn't offered. Martin's choice to return to 36 races for the first time since 2006 was predicated upon joining Hendrick, where he'll have his best opportunity to win.

"The number one factor for me was to drive a car I thought I could win in," Martin said. "The full schedule wasn't my first choice. The notion was floated to me by a number of other teams and the answer was, 'No' -- like I don't even consider it. And I didn't initially jump on top of this. The 26 races has been beautiful for me. It's been perfect. When it finally came down to having to make the decision to do a full schedule, these are [wife Arlene's] words: 'If you're going to drive, that's the deal to do.' I didn't see this coming and wasn't interested in talking about it, really, with other teams."

Martin hasn't won a Cup race since Kansas late in the 2005 season, but he still managed to make the Chase in his final year ('06) with Roush Fenway Racing. He decided to scale back in '07, running 25 races including that memorable second in the Daytona 500 with Ginn Racing and DEI. He's scheduled to run 26 with DEI this season.

There is no doubt that Martin remains a driver capable of winning races and making the Chase. He's driven in 13 of 18 this season and is 28th in the points. He has two top-fives, including a strong run at Phoenix in which he led with 10 laps to go, and for 68 total, before a late pit stop for fuel dropped him to fifth.

Martin's two part-time seasons have given him the rest he needed to make one last full-season run. "I've rekindled my passion for racing and what it means to me and it's also given me a taste of what it would be like not to have that in my life," he explained. "When you're pretty good at something and it's been the focus and driving force of your life for 35 years and you're still pretty good at it, you probably don't want to quit. I don't have anything else, really, beyond the love of family. I thought at the end of 2006 I was fine with couch time the rest of my life. But that was because I was in a frustrated fog of emotion from being worn out."

It's almost forgotten now, but Martin's NASCAR career failed in the mid-1980s. He drove his first entire season -- 30 races and finished 14th in the points -- in 1982, but was in only 16 with four different car owners in 1983.

"In 1983, I got fired by JD Stacy in the Cup series," Martin said. "And I met Arlene at Christmas in 1983. In February, I brought her to Daytona. Not only did I not have a ride, I didn't have a garage pass. I stood outside that fence looking in. Arlene says it scarred me. That forever had an impact on who I am. When you reflect on that, it has a lot to do with the decisions I make. She is the champion of this deal. Not only does she support my decision, but I don't think I would be the person I am today without her shaping the person I have become."

Martin was out of Cup racing in 1984-85 and drove in only six races over the next two seasons. He hooked up with Jack Roush in 1988 and they spent 19 seasons together. They won 35 races and finished second in the championship four times. Martin's decision to leave Roush and join Ginn was a shocker. He had a perfect opportunity to reverse his decision in 2007 when he led the championship early in the season, but stuck to his race-and-rest program. Martin was happy with it, content with his life. Then, Hendrick came calling and made an offer Martin couldn't refuse.

Hendrick believes Martin has a shot at the '09 championship. "I think it's obvious," he said. "I think that's what's intrigued Mark and definitely motivated me. After racing with him and watching him, it's a legitimate [chance] at the championship. He's finished second four times and I'd love to see him have an opportunity to win one."

Martin is taking the one-step-at-a-time approach. "One of the coming-out-of-the-gate' objectives is to help Alan [Gustafson, the No. 5 crew chief] and his race team get the confidence that they need to realize their potential and get them in a position to go out and contend for wins," Martin said. "For me personally, I'd like to start with one win because you can't get two until you get one.

"Obviously, as we move forward our goal is to make the Chase and compete for a championship. I look at the shorter term things. As we conquer one, then maybe the next will come and so on."

If they do, Martin would be the oldest Cup champion in history, supplanting Bobby Allison, who was 46 when he won it in 1983. History is against him, but it's not impossible. Martin's motivation in joining Hendrick is to win races, a goal that if fulfilled would build momentum and make him a Cup contender. He certainly has the right attitude going into an extremely challenging season.