Mark Martin News

JOLIET, Ill. Mark Martin turned a lap of 175.861 mph Friday to lead the final NASCAR Sprint Cup practice at Chicagoland Speedway.

The season is halfway complete and the storylines have packed the shelves already.

Mark Martin has three wins already during the Sprint Cup season, but is currently outside the Chase for the Cup in 13th place.

CHECKERED FLAG! A second-straight caution free practice has taken place. This time, Mark Martin sets the pace with a fast lap of 175.861 mph.

Mark Martin seems to be surrounded by cliches. Win one for the ages. He has stood the test of time.

What has been a rumor for some time became reality on Tuesday when Martin Truex announced he will be leaving Earnhardt Ganassi Racing to drive for Michael Waltrip Racing in 2010.

The time is right to point out a few things, good and bad. Sprint Cup is halfway to the end for 2009, so my midseason awards and zingers have arrived.

Three restrictor-plate races down, one more to go. Mark Martin fell out of the Chase with a 38th-place finish at Daytona.

Out of it: Dave Blaney, Mark Martin, Patrick Carpentier, Joe Nemechek, Casey Mears.

There's the "Alabama Gang," the "Apple Dumpling Gang," and now there's the "Over The Hill Gang." Don't judge a Gang by its name, though.

FOX race analyst Jeff Hammond led Darrell Waltrip to two of DW's three Winston Cup championships as his crew chief.

MARTIN, NO. 5 CARQUEST/KELLOGGa S IMPALA SS met with media and discussed Jeremy Mayfield and the drug situation, his season to date, and more.

When NASCAR people talked about the need for speed, methamphetamines weren't part of the conversation.

There's a fine line between racing aggressively and racing cleanly. Both can be done simultaneously, though it seems like it's becoming a lost art.

For those loyal NASCAR fans who are still around the ones still tuning into the races on TV and showing up at the track the sport has been full of pleasant surprises lately, the biggest of which is that it's been entirely interesting.

While many will focus on those vying for a spot in the Chase during these next 10 Sprint Cup races, a more pivotal race is taking place.

This is what an emphasis on winning looks like, huh? Two drivers have won more races than anyone else and both of them might miss the Chase, NASCAR's 10-race playoff to determine its champion.

While many will focus on those vying for a spot in the Chase during these next 10 Sprint Cup races, a more pivotal race is taking place.

Jimmie Johnson hasn't hit his stride -- yet. Despite getting off to a solid start in his quest for a record fourth straight NASCAR Sprint Cup championship, things haven't gone exactly the way Johnson would like.

With 10 races left before the Chase.... this is my look at what drivers make be chasers and who may wind up being racers.