January 9, 1959
Mark Martin
Born in Batesville, Arkansas, USA.
Martin began his racing career as a young man on the dirt tracks of Arkansas. He moved on to asphalt racing and joined the ASA racing series. During his ASA career, Martin raced against Dick Trickle, Jim Sauter, Joe Shear, and Bobby Allison. He won Rookie of the Year in 1977. Martin won twenty-two ASA races and four championships, in 1978, 1979, 1980, and 1986.
Martin had a tumultuous beginning in NASCAR, driving for six different teams from 1981 to 1987. He made five starts in 1981 driving for a team he co-owned with Bud Reeder, earning two pole positions at Nashville and Richmond and finishing third in his final race at Martinsville.
Martin competed full-time in 1982 with the team, competing for Rookie of the Year. The team struggled for consistency, posting just eight top tens compared to 12 DNFs in 30 starts, including a string of five DNFs in six races. Completing just 73.7 percent of the laps and leading only four laps all season led to Martin finishing 14th in the final standings and finishing second to Geoff Bodine for Rookie of the Year.
As of 2014 he had the second most wins in the Nationwide Series, with 49. He finished second in the Sprint Cup Series standings five times, and has been described by ESPN as "The best driver to never win a championship." Martin, with five IROC Championships, has more than any other driver. Also, during the 2005 season, Martin took over the all-time record for IROC wins, with thirteen.
He last drove the No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet SS in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series on an interim basis until car owner Tony Stewart was cleared following a sprint car-related injury from August 2013.
Martin has now retired from racing. He ended his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career with a total of 882 races, 40 wins, 453 top tens, and 56 poles. NASCAR Xfinity Series career, 236 races, 49 wins, 152 top tens, and 30 poles. NASCAR Camping World Truck Series career, 25 races, 7 wins, 20 top tens, and 3 poles.
In 2015, he was inducted in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. Martin and his wife, Arlene, currently reside in his hometown of Batesville, Arkansas.
Martin began his racing career as a young man on the dirt tracks of Arkansas. He moved on to asphalt racing and joined the ASA racing series. During his ASA career, Martin raced against Dick Trickle, Jim Sauter, Joe Shear, and Bobby Allison. He won Rookie of the Year in 1977. Martin won twenty-two ASA races and four championships, in 1978, 1979, 1980, and 1986.
Martin had a tumultuous beginning in NASCAR, driving for six different teams from 1981 to 1987. He made five starts in 1981 driving for a team he co-owned with Bud Reeder, earning two pole positions at Nashville and Richmond and finishing third in his final race at Martinsville.
Martin competed full-time in 1982 with the team, competing for Rookie of the Year. The team struggled for consistency, posting just eight top tens compared to 12 DNFs in 30 starts, including a string of five DNFs in six races. Completing just 73.7 percent of the laps and leading only four laps all season led to Martin finishing 14th in the final standings and finishing second to Geoff Bodine for Rookie of the Year.
As of 2014 he had the second most wins in the Nationwide Series, with 49. He finished second in the Sprint Cup Series standings five times, and has been described by ESPN as "The best driver to never win a championship." Martin, with five IROC Championships, has more than any other driver. Also, during the 2005 season, Martin took over the all-time record for IROC wins, with thirteen.
He last drove the No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet SS in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series on an interim basis until car owner Tony Stewart was cleared following a sprint car-related injury from August 2013.
Martin has now retired from racing. He ended his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career with a total of 882 races, 40 wins, 453 top tens, and 56 poles. NASCAR Xfinity Series career, 236 races, 49 wins, 152 top tens, and 30 poles. NASCAR Camping World Truck Series career, 25 races, 7 wins, 20 top tens, and 3 poles.
In 2015, he was inducted in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. Martin and his wife, Arlene, currently reside in his hometown of Batesville, Arkansas.
Happy Birthday Mark!!! Hope you have a great day!!! Thank you for all you've done for motorsports!!!
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