Veteran Driver Mark Martin Shares Thoughts on Teen Driving

FORT WORTH, Texas--April 6, 2006--The new AAA-sponsored, No. 6 Ford Fusion piloted by veteran driver Mark Martin, will make its Lone Star debut at the 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup race at the Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday, April 9th, in Fort Worth, Texas.

Veteran driver Mark Martin will conduct media interviews on Friday, April 7th from 10:45 AM -- 11:15 AM at the Texas Motor Speedway. Interviews will take place at the back of the No. 6 AAA transporter inside the NEXTEL Cup garage. This will be the only time Martin will be available during the weekend. Martin, who is the father of a teenaged son, will also share his views on teen driving.

BACKGROUND:

From 1995 through 2001, the number of 16- and 17-year-old drivers increased in Texas by about 17 percent. However, during the same time period, the number of 16- and 17-year-old drivers killed in crashes grew by 27 percent. Even worse is the fact that the number of the newest drivers (16-year-olds) who were in fatal crashes, increased by 69 percent during the same time period. (2001 is the latest data available from the Texas Department of Public Safety)

AAA Texas is one of the AAA-affiliated clubs sponsoring the racecar fielded by Roush Racing, back-to-back Nextel Cup champions in 2003-04.

Martin has been the mainstay at Roush Racing, teaming up with Jack Roush in 1988 to help launch Roush's NASCAR operation. Since then, Martin and Roush have become one of the most successful partnerships in the sport. In 18 years on the circuit Martin has scored 35 Nextel Cup victories and captured 41 pole positions, 356 top-10 and 224 top five finishes. He has started 633 Nextel Cup races and currently has a string of 575 straight starts.