You've got to love the old guy, especially if you happen to be somewhat of an old geezer yourself. Mark Martin led most of the Windy City 400 (my own name, sure, but much better than the one officially stuck on this thing), including the one that meant the most. Our boy is 50 years old, a time when most athletes are long gone, packing on the beef, pouring back the beer and talking about what once had been.
Gordie Howe played in 80 games, scoring 15 goals in the NHL at the age of 51. Not bad, but not up to Mark Martin standards. Bill Shoemaker was 54 when he rode his fourth Kentucky Derby winner. Satchel Paige was 59 when he tossed three scoreless innings in the majors before finally retiring. Then there was Harry Gant, who won four NASCAR Cup events in a single month when he was 51. Martin has that many this season, the most he has claimed in a single campaign since the seven checkered flags of 1998. I wonder how that rocking chair he got back in 2006, when we all thought he was retiring, is holding out
Martin led most of the laps, but it was Jimmie Johnson who had the lead in the late going in Chicago. On a restart, Denny Hamlin went to work on the defending champ's bumper to move him out of the way in order to challenge Brian Vickers at the front. Those two fan favorites (note the sarcasm) battled for about a lap before managing to push each other up the hill to open the door for Martin. The old dude went to the front and never looked back.
With the win, Martin is back in a Chase place, replacing Greg Biffle who finds himself ten points behind bubble boy Matt Kenseth. Matt must be feeling like Sheetrock about now, while I know somebody else who is just a bit biffed off.
It was not a good day to be a Busch brother. While Kyle ran well but wrecked late at Daytona, he tagged the wall early and was riding in junk before finally putting the beast out of its misery. Kurt had a problem with his Johnson, as Jimmie put him against the fence just as he did at Sonoma a few weeks back. Kurt was rather curt in his post-race comments.
In his last ten races, Tony Stewart has two wins, eight top-fives and nine top-tens. He was fourth on Saturday night, just behind Jeff Gordon and Kasey Kahne. Over that time, he has averaged more than 165 points per race. It is good to be Tony right now.
Martin Truex Jr was on a high after the announcement he will be driving for Michael Waltrip next season. That doesn't explain why his car was on a high, at the right quarter panel to be exact, but NASCAR collected the auto after Saturday's race to find out.
My two boys' Little League team claimed our city championship last weekend and advanced to the Junior Prairies Tournament this upcoming weekend. As well, my own odometer turned over once more, which beats the alternative. Like Mark Martin, I am aging like a fine wine. Well, except in my case I'm told that someone had cracked open the bottle and I'm turning into vinegar. Not what I had hoped, but still good for something.
According to my schedule, the Cup boys have next weekend off as they prepare for their July 26 date in Indianapolis. While Stewart leads the standings, Martin has 40 bonus points for the Chase provided he makes the thing. As for me, I'm back at the ball park. I hope you enjoy your week off!
