Mark Martin Is Amazing...
Talk about loyalty. This man is incredible. Watching him race last year into the Chase after falling so far behind, watching him support his son so gallantly, watching him stay competitive even as he makes his last go-round has been fun. So when he announced that he'd be back for 2006 if Roush needs him, I just about lost it with joy. What a great, loyal, nice man. He's not doing it for himself, he's not doing it for the fans ... he's doing it for Jack Roush.
Mark Martin built Roush Racing into what it is today. And he's the one who is loyal to Jack. Unbelievable. I'm just utterly impressed.
Note: I don't have regular Internet access for the next week and a half, and Roushketeer is in the process of moving, so our posts may be a bit sporadic. But good luck to Mark and all the Roush boys at Loudon, and here's to ya!
Sort of unrelated update: I was checking my email, and I got a link to a Mark Martin contest, which excited me. Well, it's weird. I'm sure this is just a Ford or Viagra thing, but according to the rules, only men over the age of 35 can win the grand prize, a Ford F-150. Weird. I don't even know what to say to that. Any thoughts on why Ford/Viagra would restrict its grand prize to that group? (Granted, it is Viagra's target demographic, but still....)
posted by kara99 @ 6:34 PM
1 comments
1 Comments:
I like Mark very well, and also think he is a stand-up guy and a very sportsmanlike driver. I am, however, a little more cynical than you are about the current situation.
First, I have no doubt that Mark would be handsomely compensated for the additional year - a clear incentive beyond pure loyalty to Jack.
Second, I just have a hard time believing that Mark is the only driver capable of making a decent showing in the 6 next year if Jamie ultimatey proves unavailable. I just find it a tad arrogant to come out and say "Jack is begging and begging, so I will deign to consider making myself available." No question Mark is a great driver, a true great, but...
Third, I'm not sure I buy the argument that having Mark next year would make it easier to get a new permanent sponsor to replace Viagra. Sure, it would be easier for 2006 than it would be with a temporary driver (say, Ricky Craven), but whoever they sign on will still now that come 2007 it will be Jamie in the seat, so I don't see what difference it ultimately makes.
Fourth, just as a general proposition, I really dislike "I'm retiring, maybe I'm not, yes I am, no I'm not" waffling by professional athletes. No one does that in the "real world" and it just irritates me. It irritated me with Michael Jordan, and it would irritate me with Mark Martin.
All that said, I would still be excited to get to watch him in Cup races for another season!
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