Mark Martin thoroughly enjoyed watching the IndyCar-NASCAR doubleheader last weekend at Phoenix Raceway. Now, the former Cup Series icon wants more of it.
On Saturday, March 7, IndyCar returned to Phoenix for the first time since 2018, kick-starting a full month of racing. And on Sunday, March 8, the NASCAR Cup Series returned to the 1-mile oval for the Straight Talk Wireless 500, a race that Team Penske driver Ryan Blaney won.
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Martin took to X and expressed how he would love to see more IndyCar-NASCAR crossover weekends.
“Look, I’m a hillbilly from Arkansas, so I can’t say these foreign names, but that Rasmussen or whatever his name is, our host of our, man, is IndyCar’s host. Dude, he made a fan out of me. I’m going to be watching more of these races. Man, that guy was on the gas!”
“Blaney put on a show Sunday at racetrack where they say you can’t pass,” Martin continued. “I think he passed 49 cars or something like that. So it was just it was another great NASCAR weekend. And it also I believe it was a great weekend for IndyCar. I really think that we need to more of cross promotion.”
Mark Martin formerly raced in the NASCAR Cup Series, most notably driving the No. 6 Ford for Roush Racing (now RFK Racing) for the majority of his career. Between 1989 and 2009, Martin amassed 40 Cup Series victories, of which 35 came driving the Roush Racing Ford.
The 67-year-old retired from full-time racing after the 2013 season. His last race was the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 17, 2013. Martin was inducted into the prestigious NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2017.
Today, Martin is involved in several businesses in his Batesville, Arkansas, hometown. He also has his own podcast, “Mark Martin Archive,” which he co-hosts with his son, Matt.
Mark Martin named the honorary pace car driver at Darlington
NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin will lead the field as the honorary pace car driver for the March 22 Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway. Named the Goodyear 400, the 293-lap event will be televised on FS1, with live radio updates on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
The veteran has 12 victories at the track across multiple racing disciplines. This includes two Cup Series victories, both in the Southern 500 (1993, 2009), eight NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series wins, and a pair of IROC sweeps.
“Mark Martin’s incredible success at Darlington Raceway is a byproduct of the hard work and talent he combined to make him a fan favorite,” Darlington Raceway President Josh Harris said in a statement. “He still represents the grit, determination and excellence that define Darlington Raceway, and we’re honored to have him lead the field to green for the Goodyear 400.”
Martin was excited about the opportunity.
“Darlington has always been one of the most challenging and rewarding tracks I’ve ever raced. To come back and serve as the Honorary Pace Car Driver for the Goodyear 400 is truly special,” he said.
Fans can watch this year’s Goodyear 400 live on FS1, starting at 3 pm ET, or listen to exclusive radio updates on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Edited by Tushhita Barua
