STOCK CAR PIT PASS - Race News Without A Restrictor Plate

March 15, 2007

Dear Mr. Martin-Don't Slow Down Now
By Dennis Michelsen

Dear Mr. Martin,

Ever since you broke on to the NASCAR scene for the second time I have been a huge fan. Watching you race so hard against the Intimidator Dale Earnhardt at Dover in June of 1989 clinched it. When you announced your retirement the first time in 2004 I was in shock. Having covered the NASCAR beat part time I could understand how the full time rigors of that schedule could drive anyone nuts! But the classiest guy in NASCAR racing just could NOT be leaving the sport when he had so many great years ahead of him. Now once again the clock is ticking down to decision time on slowing down to a part time schedule. Bristol has never been your favorite place to race despite having success there with two career wins in Cup, two more in Busch, and one in the Craftsman Trucks. "It's like flying a fighter jet in a gymnasium," you eloquently stated years ago. But for the sake of all your fans, all the soldiers in Iraq, and Bobby Ginn I beg you not to give up racing for the title this season! Cue the Mark Martin singers…

(Sung to the Tune "Stay")
Mark Martin stay just a little bit longer
We want to cheer you on -- just a little bit longer
Now Bobby Ginn don't mind
And the US Army don't mind
If we take a little time
And we leave retirement behind and sing
One more title Chase…

Think of all those soldiers fighting for us over in Iraq and Afghanistan. They missed seeing THEIR US Army car out front and kicking butt! You owe it to them to race the full season and show everyone how proud you are of our troops overseas! Do you really want to let these brave men and women down? Just give it one more Chase! Give us another chorus please…

Mark Martin stay just a little bit longer
We want to cheer you on -- just a little bit longer
Now Bobby Ginn don't mind
And the US Army don't mind
If we take a little time
And we leave retirement behind and sing
One more title Chase…

How about all your loyal fans that bought so many "Salute to You Tour" shirts? Now I am not suggesting you owe anyone anything but since you didn't retire yet why start now? Just give us one more title Chase! Then you can slow down to a part-time deal next season and maybe even go out on top! Cue the Mark Martin singers…

Bobby Ginn has thrown a lot of his hard earned cash into this race team and turned a mediocre team with potential into a winner! Your US Army team is the top dog in the Ginn Racing stable. Don't walk away from poor (Poor?) Bobby Ginn when he needs you most! Cue the Mark Martin singers one more time…

Mr. Martin you have given your heart and soul to racing. It is very demanding of me as a fan to ask for one more title run but I am willing to beg! You have already added more races to your schedule than ever before so surely Arlene and the kids will understand one more title Chase. Win one for the Gipper. Win for the guys and gals in uniform letting us all live in freedom. Win one for Bobby Ginn who rescued you from the doldrums and craziness at Roush Racing and made racing fun again. Win one for poor old Tiny Tim who has been cheering you on for years! (OK, so maybe I went too far that time tugging on the heartstrings) But most of all do it for yourself and your legacy!

See you in Bristol!

Sincerely,

Dennis Michelsen
Mark Martin Maniac