Mark Martin Proves That Age Isn't A Barrier

Kudos to us old guys! Mark Martin, who just passed the half century mark in January, zipped to a first place finish on Sunday while racing his #5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet at the Life Lock 400 in Brooklyn, Michigan. Martin seemed destined for a respectable third place finish, but both Jimmie Johnson and Greg Biffle ran out of fuel, permitting the unflappable Martin to zoom underneath the checkered flag.

It was one of those races where it looked like Johnson would run away with it, having led all but ten laps before his final refuel. However, an ever so slight delay out of pit row cost Johnson the lead, with Biffle seizing opportunity and taking over.

Third And Out

But, Biffle’s lead was something that he would soon squander as a defiant Johnson pushed his race car in front of Biffle’s and soon managed to move forward by several car lengths while the race wound down. In third place was Martin, too far out to mount a serious challenge for the lead, but waiting in the wings in case either of the leaders blinked.

Fortunately for Martin, their engine quaked and shuddered, signaling to him that the race was his for the taking, passing both on the final lap and racing to victory.

Second Place Finisher, Four Times

To date, Martin has yet to win the Cup, finishing as runner up four times — 1990, 1994, 1998 and 2002. Going into this race he was thirteenth, desperately needing a good showing to place him among the Top 12. A third place finish would have done just that, but first place was the icing on the cake, thanks to wise fuel conservation on the experienced driver’s part.

With victory lane for him to savor and savor with his team, Martin proved that patience and experience do produce victories, something that some of the younger fellers should keep in mind.  With another victory under his belt, Martin’s competitors would do well to remember that this guy isn’t about to give up even when drivers half his age may be tempted to do so themselves.

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