It is well known that Martin was instrumental in helping
last year's Winston Cup Rookie-of-the-Year Matt Kenseth's
NASCAR career. Now he is helping two more rookies, and
Roush Racing teammates, Kurt Busch and Greg Biffle. Both
drivers are also competing for Rookie-of-the-Year honors,
Busch in the Winston Cup Series and Biffle in the Busch
Series. Both drivers agree that Martin has been a big
influence, and see him as a mentor."My relationship with Mark began quickly last year when I started running the last few Winston Cup races," Busch said. "He was the one bending over backwards to help and give me advice on these tracks that I had never been to. Besides just advice on set-ups, the real experience he has given me is teaching me to build a rapport with the other drivers. That is something all young drivers need to look at. Mark is a good role model on the track and with his family. He is teaching me the basic steps and I look up to him as a guy who gives 110 percent the way he competes and in his conduct."
Biffle echoes the same feelings and this year has taken over the No. 60 driven by Martin for years in the Busch Series. Although many of the cars and crew members are different, Martin still plays a role in the team as far as Biffle is concerned.
"Mark is the man," Biffle said. "He has really bailed me out huge this year. He has probably given me, without him knowing it, all my confidence. He has helped me a lot through these first five races where we've done so well. Him being there as a mentor has given me confidence.
"The places where I need help like I did at Atlanta, I either knock on his motorhome door, or he'll come into the garage early to help me. He'll tell me what not to do and give me advice based on his experience. He has been a tremendous asset to me and has shortened my learning curve every place we've raced."
Martin has never thought of himself as a mentor. He has always enjoyed helping other drivers in any way he can.
"I think I've always had a role in helping people," Martin said. "In 1980, Ray Dillon and I designed a racing chassis. He marketed and sold it and I raced it. I helped his customers set-up their cars even though many of them would compete against me.
"Along the way I've always had younger drivers want to talk and learn from me. Now that I'm over 40, I'm seeing kids half my age at the track. I help them because I don't want them to have to go through what I did starting out. Helping younger drivers has taken on a whole new meaning to me. It's sort of like parents trying to relive their childhood through their own kids. I wasn't the youngest, greatest driver ever, but I want to help them become that. I'm a fan beyond being a driver. I just want to see these kids succeed."
