Since an eighth-place finish in his first Daytona 500 start in 1980, Sterling Marlin has enjoyed a history of success when he joins a new race team. His first of two Daytona 500 wins came in his maiden race with the #4 Morgan-McClure team in 1994.
One of three drivers with back-to-back Daytona 500 wins, Marlin has collected 11 top-10 finishes in 24 starts in NASCAR's biggest race, five of which occurred with a new team.
Now, heading into his first race with MB2 Motorsports, the veteran driver talks about his expectations with his new #14 Waste Management Chevrolet team and being a firsthand witness to NASCAR’s rapid growth.
Q.
You seem to come out of the gate strong with a new team. You gave the Morgan McClure team a huge lift in your first appearance with them by winning the Daytona 500 in 1994. You also had some other strong Daytona 500 finishes with new teams.
Sterling Marlin
Looking back, it seems like every time I go to a new team we run well in the Daytona 500. When I went to Junior’s (Johnson) team in 1991 we finished second in the 500 and then I went to Bill Stavola’s team in 1993 and finished seventh at
Daytona. The following year I went over to the #4 Kodak car (Morgan-McClure) and won the Daytona 500, a great thrill that will always stick with me. I also had a good 500 finish the first year with Chip Ganassi (seventh in 2001) and had a top-10 finish (eighth) in my first Daytona 500 in 1980. Yeah, I guess you could say I like coming out of the gate strong and hopefully it will be the same with my new MB2/Waste Management ride.
Q.
What are you looking to achieve on the Nextel Cup circuit in 2006?
Sterling Marlin:
Hopefully we’ll be able to win two or three races and be competitive every week. I think it’s a realistic goal. It’d be great to be in the top 10 at the end of the year and be able to contend for the Chase for the Nextel Cup. But winning races and being consistent is what’s important. If you can do that, everything else will fall into place.
Q.
Are there any specific races you’re looking forward to?
Sterling Marlin:
I’m excited about all the races this year, but MB2 has such a good superspeedway programme that I’d be crazy not to be looking ahead to those events, especially the Daytona 500. It’d be pretty neat to go to Daytona and get a win. Last year I finished eighth in the (Daytona) 500 and now with MB2’s superspeedway reputation the new combination could produce a great result in the season opener.
Q.
What attracted you to MB2 Motorsports?
Sterling Marlin:
I still have some unfinished business as a driver and that’s why I am really excited about joining MB2 Motorsports. They’re a team on the rise and I am thrilled to have this opportunity. MB2 has great people, great equipment and a great sponsor in Waste Management. I’m looking forward to working with (crew chief) Doug Randolph and (general manager) Jay Frye and everyone in the organisation.
Q.
This season marks the 30th Anniversary of your first Cup start. What are your thoughts on that?
Sterling Marlin:
I hadn’t really thought about it to be honest. May of 1976 at Nashville was my first Cup start so I guess that’s right. I’m amazed I’m still around and have been running that long. When you’ve been messing with racecars like I’ve been doing since I was 12 or 13-years-old, time flies. Racing is my life and I’m still having a blast.
Q.
The last time you drove a car with the #14 on it was in 1980. What's your feeling about having the #14 again and the family history that goes with it?
Sterling Marlin:
I think it’s real cool. I’ve had a lot of success with it. It was my dad’s number and my football number in high school when I played quarterback. And then I drove the #14 car when we won races at Nashville. When my dad quit racing Cup, A.J. (Foyt) got the number and I thought we’d never see it again. But eventually it all shook out and it was available for us this year. I’m really glad to get it.
Q.
This is the second time you have teamed with Nemechek, how do you get along with Joe and can you help each other?
Sterling Marlin:
Joe and I got along really well when we drove for Felix (Sabates). I think teaming up with Joe and Ryan (Pemberton, #01 crew chief) will be a good deal. They’ve won a couple of poles and a race so hopefully we’ll be able to work together and help each other to be successful. Joe’s a super nice guy with a lot of talent so I look forward to seeing what we can do together next year.
Q.
What would you say is your biggest racing accomplishment?
Sterling Marlin:
Probably winning the Daytona 500 twice. It was my first career win and then I came back and won it again the next year. That was a pretty neat deal for me.
Q.
What about racing disappointments?
Sterling Marlin:
Breaking my neck in 2002. I was leading the points most of that season and then I got hurt at Kansas and didn’t get to finish the year. There were only six races left and we were right there in the hunt for the championship. That was pretty disappointing for me.
Q.
NASCAR has changed drastically in 30 years. What do you miss the most? Are there things you think are better now?
Sterling Marlin:
The money’s a lot better now than what it used to be, a whole lot better, that’s for sure. But the 70s and 80s were more laid back, a lot simpler then. You were just there to race. It wasn’t the rushing or the panic mode that everyone seems to be in now. But it’s all-good. I never thought the sport would grow to where it is today in popularity.
Q.
What about safety?
Sterling Marlin:
NASCAR’s done a great job making new rules and testing things out that make it safer for drivers. The soft walls and the Hans device make it a lot safer for us compared to what it used to be.
