Martin's part-time success could hurt sport in future
Take nothing away from what Mark Martin has accomplished 13 races into this season. With six top-10s and four top-fives, he's on pace to match his 2002 season when he finished runner-up to eventual champion Tony Stewart.
Which is exactly why Mark Martin, if he keeps this up, will ruin NASCAR.
At the halfway point of the Chase, Mark Martin currently sits 12th in points and would qualify for NASCAR's version of the postseason -- all while racing in just 10 events compared to everyone else who has raced 13.
It all started with that amazing finish at Daytona, when Mark Martin came up just short to Kevin Harvick. Mark Martin followed that up with two consecutive fifth-place finishes at California and Las Vegas and a 10th at Atlanta. Then the talking began.
The part-time Mark Martin was actually leading in points. It was very conceivable he could make the Chase on a part-time schedule.
Of course, with the next two races at Bristol and Martinsville, both races in which Regan Smith would take over the No. 01 Chevy for Ginn Racing, Mark Martin's point lead eventually evaporated.
But here we are 13 races into the schedule and Mark Martin is Chase eligible.
This is the worst-case scenario for NASCAR.
This sport has always prided itself on being the most fan-friendly of any in America. One reason that is the case -- all 36 races on the schedule, all of the best drivers in the country are featured at one racetrack.
With Mark Martin's success this season on a pick-and-choose basis, the NASCAR we know and love could all but disappear.
Where is the benefit for Jeff Gordon or Jimmie Johnson or Tony Stewart or Dale Earnhardt Jr. to race 36 races? All that matters to sponsors, to teams and to drivers is make the Chase and have a shot at the championship.
Why would Junior, who is not a good road-racer with no wins in 14 combined races at Sonoma and Watkins Glen, drive at either track? There's no point.
Junior could take a couple weeks off, enjoy the break, and let an up-and-comer get some experience. Or put a ringer like a Ron Fellows or Boris Said in the car.
If a driver knows he can miss a race and not take that much of a hit in points, why not take a week or two off?
Look at this season. Johnson and Jeff Gordon are running away with the top-two point positions. It is conceivable, both drivers could take three races off, and still sit comfortably in the top 12. Not borderline, comfortably.
And with the current Chase points system, all Jeff Gordon and Johnson would have to do is make the Chase, and they will start 1-2 when it begins.
No one will win three or four races this season the way the Hendrick duo has. So when the Chase begins in New Hampshire, despite where the two finish -- as long as they are in the top 12 they will be seeded 1-2.
So is it not in their best interest to take a couple weeks off and be refreshed when the Chase starts in September?
And don't for a second think the sponsors won't be on board with this.
DuPont, Lowe's, Home Depot, Budweiser, all of them will be just fine backing a car for all 36 races, as long as their money driver gets into the Chase. There is no way one of those sponsors will take their precious dollars away because their marquee driver takes a few weeks off, it just isn't logical.
It's a win-win for all involved. Drivers get a few weeks off, owners get some young guy valuable track time, sponsors will still see their car in the Chase -- the only people who suffer are the fans.
All the Sonoma fans that pay big bucks to see Junior race, get Fellows in the No. 8 instead. Or everyone at Richmond who expected to see Jeff Gordon and Johnson battle for the points lead heading into the Chase don't even see the No. 48 or No. 24 on the track because -- well honestly, there is no need.
Jeff Gordon has already said this has given him a new outlook on his career.
"I can tell you what, what Mark has done has probably extended my career," Jeff Gordon said. "It's now going to make me look at when that day comes when I feel like I can no longer race full time in the Cup Series. I might still want to race part time.
"I'm not saying we could pull it off, but it's something I would consider now,"
That statement scares me.
I don't want NASCAR turning into golf. I don't want to see Jeff Gordon, Johnson, Junior and Tony Stewart turn into Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh and Ernie Els and pick which events they will participate in. I want to know when I go to a track, my favorite driver is going to be there.
Don't get me wrong, what Mark Martin has done has been impressive. And if he can make the Chase on a part-time schedule, even more of a feat. But the next time you go to a race or turn on the TV expecting to see your favorite driver only to see a guy in that car you've barely heard of -- blame Mark Martin.
Unbeknownst to him, he has changed the way drivers look at a 36-race schedule, and it's not for the benefit of the sport or its fans.
The opinions expressed are those solely of the writer
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