Celebrating NASCAR's Greatest Driver Without a Championship!

^{Jan 9, 2025 | Edition #121}

👋 Dear Motorheads,

Today, we're celebrating Mark Martin's electrifying career, from rivalries that pushed him to the limit to a legacy that continues to inspire. But there's a lingering question: What If? What if a little luck had swung the pendulum in his favor? On his special day, we're exploring the one 'What-If' that still haunts fans by looking back at the moment that could've changed everything.

🫡 The Lucky Dog Salutes

‘The Kid’ Turns Sixty-Six!

Can you believe it? Mark Martin is 66 today! And while he may not look it, deep down, he’s still that 12-year-old ‘kid’ with big dreams and an even bigger heart. Mark’s always had that energy—the kind that lights up the room and leaves an impression long after he’s gone.

But let us tell you something you may not know about him. Before NASCAR, when he was dominating the ASA series with 22 wins and four championships, life wasn’t all glory. He came from humble beginnings. Here’s his launchpad garage that you must see.

During a tough stretch in his life, Mark Martin moved so often that he didn’t have a place to store his trophies. So, in a true Mark Martin move, he tossed them all in the dumpster. Classic, Mark! But despite all of his success—and there’s plenty of it—his career comes with one of NASCAR’s biggest “What ifs.” With just a bit more luck, Mark Martin wouldn’t hold the title of “The Greatest Driver Without a Championship.”

Let’s rewind to 1990, a year that still stings. He started off strong with a win at Richmond and a solid performance in Daytona. But then luck took a turn. It turns out Martin raced with an illegal carburetor spacer. If that spacer had been welded on instead of bolted, it would’ve been completely legal. After the race, Richard Childress pointed out the issue, which led to NASCAR calling up Bill France Jr. for a ruling. Here is that bizarre story told by Mark Martin himself.

And, this matters so much because come season’s end, Mark Martin finished just 26 points behind Dale Earnhardt Sr.

Now, in a recent poll, we asked you, “Do drivers need luck?” Most of you said yes, and his career proves it. Talent alone isn’t always enough, and sometimes the breaks just don’t go your way. But Mark Martin’s legacy isn’t defined by what he didn’t achieve. It’s about what he did.

The rivalries, the iconic moments—the drag race, a near-miss in the 2007 Daytona 500 [when Mark Martin was leading, and out of nowhere came Kevin Harvick], the Bristol win in ’98—those are the things the Lucky Dog remembers.

And, we know so do you. His 96 wins across all three NASCAR series, his second-place spot in Xfinity history, and his pure class on and off the track are what make him one of the greatest.

Mark Martin’s always been a favorite of NASCAR’s old-school fans and we get it. So, here’s to you, Mark. Happy birthday! You may not have that championship trophy, but your legacy is bigger than anything. In the Lucky Dog's book—and we know in yours too—you’re one of the greatest of all time.

Recent Update: Mark Martin Bows to Kyle Busch’s Son, Brexton, After Making a Dream Come True

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P.S. As NASCAR teams need sponsors to keep going, so does the Lucky Dog. Which means, it is your support to our sponsors that keeps us in the race. So thanks for being a part of the journey.

📈 Trending News

Larson and Bell Exchange Playful Jabs

Dirt racing had been missing Christopher Bell, and so had we. Thanks to Coach Gibbs for lifting the ban and letting Bell get back to his roots! It didn’t take long for him to remind everyone why he was a dirt track sensation.

In Tulsa, Bell faced off with none other than Kyle Larson, and what unfolded was the kind of showdown fans dream of. Starting near the front, he seemed poised for a strong run, while Larson, starting 14th, had to hustle his way through the field. But dirt racing rarely follows the script. The climax came on the final lap when Bell held the inside line.

After claiming victory, Bell couldn’t resist throwing a cheeky jab at Larson, who hadn’t raced Micros in 14 years. “Maybe after today, Kyle will actually like Micros and wanna come back,” Bell quipped. Larson, ever the gentleman, had nothing but praise for Bell’s return and expected us all to enjoy such racing.

While C. Bell celebrated his win, Kyle Larson didn’t leave Tulsa empty-handed. The dirt track ace captured two ‘Golden Driller’ trophies in the Winged Outlaw and Winged A-Class divisions, overshadowing Bell’s 9th and 5th-place finishes in the same events. But the rivalry wasn’t about who won more—it was about the electric competition between two of the best in NASCAR.

With the Chili Bowl on the horizon, the stakes are about to get even higher. This race was just the beginning of what promises to be an intense battle between Bell and Larson on dirt tracks this season. Stay tuned for the full video breakdown.

More on This: Kyle Busch Confesses Inferiority to Kyle Larson & Christopher Bell, Sets the Bar High for Son Brexton

🏁 Lucky Dog’s Quick Poll 🏁

We’ve got a fun poll for you today!

Last Poll’s Result: While many of you believe NASCAR will stay true to its roots despite celebrity involvement, 21.83% of you see the value in having big names associated with the sport. Whether it's for boosting viewership or supporting charter growth, it's clear that big names can bring fresh energy to the sport!

🗞️ NASCAR Shorts!

Is Martin Truex Jr. Coming Back?

After teasing retirement, Martin Truex Jr. is set to return for the 2025 season opener. Truex struck a deal: they’d let him retire—but only if he promised to return for a few one-off races. Now most of you must be expecting him to join 23XI Racing, especially with Denny Hamlin hinting at the move. But, plot twist: it’s not happening. With the team tied up in legal issues, MTJ is heading elsewhere.

It’s a team you might not expect. Still no clue? Well, here's a Tweet from Bob Pockrass revealing the name of the team.

🗣️ Talk of the NASCAR Town

Trackhouse Reaches Untouched NASCAR Territory

Things are about to get a lot more interesting, and it’s all thanks to Justin Marks. As part of his "Project 91" vision, the Trackhouse Racing owner is bringing IndyCar legend Helio Castroneves into the fold for the 2025 Daytona 500. That’s right—four-time Indy 500 winner Helio is jumping into the #91 car, shaking things up in NASCAR like never before.

But it’s not just the addition of Castroneves that makes this a game-changer. Trackhouse Racing will become the first team in NASCAR history to field four drivers from four different countries in a single race. Alongside full-time Cup drivers Daniel Suarez (Mexico) and Ross Chastain (USA), and Supercar champ Shane van Gisbergen (New Zealand), now a Brazilian joins the mix with Castroneves. Talk about global expansion!

While Castroneves hasn’t run a full oval race, he’s no stranger to Daytona’s high banks, having raced in the IROC series and won the Rolex 24 three times. He’s ready to take on the challenge and, while a win might be a long shot, a top-10 finish would be huge. For those who need a Helio heads-up, here’s him driving and winning the first race of the year for Team Penske at Sonoma.

The real question is: will Castroneves make it to the race through qualifying or the Duel on February 13th? If he does, the Daytona 500 will get a lot more exciting, especially with Trackhouse’s diverse driver lineup. One thing’s for sure—Daytona just got a whole lot wilder.

One thing's for sure: things are about to get wild in Daytona!

Continue Reading: Daytona 500: NASCAR Ditching “Slimy” Company for Iconic Race’s Sponsorship Wins Over Fans

🏆 Lucky Dog's 2025 Predictions

Lucky Dog’s 2025 NASCAR Predictions

We’re already gearing up for what’s shaping up to be one wild ride in 2025. The blend of experienced vets and fresh faces is set to make for one heck of a season. Sure, we’ve got our favorites who are pretty much a lock for a top spot, but we all know NASCAR loves to throw a surprise or two. So let’s talk about some wild cards that could really shake things up next season.

#4 Wallace’s Breakthrough Year Is Coming

Get ready, because 2025 is the year Bubba Wallace finally breaks through for his first Cup Series win. And, after 23XI’s recent post where they announced a restart, Wallace is primed to take that next step. Sure, it won’t be easy with fierce competition, but he’s got the speed and consistency to get there.

#3 Kyle Busch Still a Superspeedway Threat

We know—it’s been a minute since we’ve seen Kyle Busch in a championship-caliber car. But don’t sleep on him at superspeedways. Daytona, Talladega, Atlanta—he’s still a force to be reckoned with at these high-speed tracks. Sure, he hasn’t grabbed the win, but as he said, “It’d be nice to get it done.” With disappointing Daytona stats, Kyle Busch agrees with his desperation for that Daytona 500 win.

#2 SVG’s Road Course Domination

If there’s one driver who’s got road courses on lock, it’s Shane van Gisbergen. The guy is a road course master, and after his stunning debut in 2023, he’s poised to make waves in 2025. With three wins in his rookie Xfinity season and a solid 12th-place finish overall, SVG is a possible threat at places like Watkins Glen, Sonoma, and the Charlotte Roval. Well, here’s how he did at the Portland International Raceway [where he held off Allgaier]. The Lucky Dog is betting he will grab at least one win in 2025.

#1 Carson Hocevar: The Dark Horse to Watch

Hocevar is ready to make a statement in 2025. He’s been quietly flying under the radar, but after an impressive performance at Homestead in 2023, and then here’s his 2nd career win at Nashville.

He’s got the talent to make some noise. Even though he’s with Spire Motorsports, a team that’s not quite in the top tier, Hocevar has shown he’s more than capable of running with the big dogs.

With his Rookie of the Year nod and raw talent, don’t be surprised if he pulls off a surprise win and makes his way into the top 15, maybe even the top 10. Playoff spot? Maybe a stretch, but anything can happen.

Continue Reading: Has Carson Hocevar’s Partner Moved On From Their Short-Lived Tie-Up?

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