![]() ![]() This story appeared on Page B4 of The Standard-Times on March 8 2003. In 533 Winston Cup races Martin has placed last just three times. Following a last-place finish Sunday at Las Vegas because of engine failure he dropped from fourth to 11th in the points standings. Martin began this season by finishing fifth at Daytona and seventh at Rockingham. You're going to measure our success by everybody else." But I can't tell what everybody else does. "I can guarantee that our performance should be better than what we did in 2002. "(But) that doesn't guarantee performance on the racetrack. "This is the best package - the team the cars - I've ever had" he said. ![]() The Arkansas native who is in his 16th year of driving for Jack Roush is optimistic about the new season. He also won a record 45 Busch Grand National races and four IROC championships. Martin has 33 Winston Cup victories fourth among active drivers. "Even though there are a few things in my career that the media likes to focus on that I haven't done I have achieved so much." "I don't feel a sense of urgency because I have had so much success in my career" he said recently. Other drivers so close to winning a points championship could be bitter. Having his Roush Racing team slapped with a 25-point penalty after the Rockingham race for using an illegal part severely damaged Martin's chances of overtaking Stewart. Last year was the latest when he was just 38 points off the pace of champion Tony Stewart. Martin is continually asked about his four runner-up finishes in the points race. "I have a hard time understanding how finishing second in the Winston Cup championship is a bad thing." I don't think there's any jeopardy of my career being (termed) a failure. "There's probably room in it for a couple things that aren't in it yet (but) I've had a fantastic career and I'm very proud of it. "My glass is very full" Martin 44 said before the season. Despite never winning a Winston Cup title Martin insists he is content with his career. The nature of their profession race-car drivers are not considered peaceful. ![]()
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