OK, he's 43 -- by his peers because his turnaround was nothing short of
remarkable. No other driver received more than one vote.Owner Jack Roush said it best: "This is the reincarnation of Mark Martin."
Though Mark has finished second four times in Winston Cup points, he insists this season -- he lost to Tony Stewart by just 38 points -- was "the best battle" he and the people around him ever fought.
"It's nice to win an award that shows recognition from your peers in the garage," Mark says. "The truth is I'd have to say that award should go to my team. They are the ones who rejuvenated my career ... gave me a shot right down to the very last lap, and you better believe I'm grateful for that."
Mark won the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte and finished with 12 top fives and 22 top 10s. Just one season earlier, Mark didn't win a single race, had just three top fives and 15 top 10s and finished out of the top 10 in points (12th) for the first time since 1988.
Mark is most proud that he outraced Stewart in the final three races, finishing in the top five each week.
