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NASCAR Winston Cup Bud at Watkins Glen Report: #6, Mark Martin

12 August 1997

 #6 Mark Martin, Valvoline/Cummins Ford Thunderbird     
 NASCAR Winston Cup Series
 The Bud at the Glen Race Report
 Watkins Glen International
 
               MARK MARTIN RECAP: THE BUD AT THE GLEN

 
WATKINS GLEN, NY - Mark Martin and the Valvoline/Cummins teams went to 
Watkins Glen International hoping to repeat their dominant performances at 
the first road course of the season, Sears Point. Martin was not able to 
dominate, but he did earn another top-five finish.

In Friday's qualifying, Martin turned a lap of 120.142 mph which resulted in 
a ninth place starting position. His car was not quite as fast as it had been 
in testing, but was still running well.

"I had an excellent lap," Martin said. "I got around the track well but we 
weren't as fast as we had been. It's not where I wanted to start, but I'll 
race them hard on Sunday."

Martin did run hard all day trying to make up lost ground. He fell back to 
15th on the start, trying to stay out of trouble going into the first sharp 
turn. The car was tight throughout the first half of the race and the crew 
made track bar adjustments on nearly every pit stop to loosen up the car. By 
the halfway point, Martin was in 10th place. He continued to work his way up 
through the field. With only 15 laps to go, Martin was seventh. He was able 
to get by Dale Jarrett who began to suffer mechanical problems; and he passed 
his teammate, Ted Musgrave, to earn a fifth place finish.

"I would have liked to have won today, but we did all right," Martin said. "I 
had a good car but today just wasn't our day. I guess it's good when you're 
disappointed with fifth place. I'm anxious to go to Michigan next week 
because that has always been a good track for us."

Martin remains second in Winston Cup point standings, and trails Jeff Gordon 
by 109 points. He will compete in both the Winston Cup and Busch races in 
Michigan this weekend. A win at Michigan in the Busch race will break the 
all-time career win record for the series.

By Roush Racing Public Relations