Martin insists love of racing led to extension

NASCAR Martin Auto Racing

DARLINGTON, S.C. (AP) — Mark Martin insists he didn’t sign with Hendrick Motorsports to chase a NASCAR championship.

Crew chief Alan Gustafson has other ideas.

He says that with Martin firmly in place, don’t be surprised if the No. 5 Chevrolet gets into the title mix.

"We have the people to do it. I know we have the driver to do it. Things just have to go our way," Gustafson said Friday.

Martin and Gustafson are prepping for the Southern 500 at Darlington on Saturday night.

Martin re-upped with Hendrick for 2010, setting up the 50-year-old driver for a second straight full season only a few years after considering retirement.

"I did this because I love racing with all my heart and I love this race team and I’m having a blast driving the race car," Martin said.

That’s shown this season. Martin broke a 97-race winless streak that stretched nearly four years when he took the checkered flag at Phoenix last month. He’s edged up to 15th in points, 61 out of the 12th and final spot in NASCAR’s Chase for the championship.

Martin said owner Rick Hendrick wanted to lock him up much earlier than this. For the veteran racer, he had make sure he meshed with his crew and had the same fire to compete as before.

Martin recalled his Roush Racing prime in July 1999 when he injured his wrist, knee and rib in a Daytona practice accident. He raced in pain the next night to maintain his championship position.

"I allowed that points thing to affect how I felt about racing," Martin said.

It wasn’t until Martin left Roush and scaled back his schedule he rediscovered how much he enjoyed the sport.

"I’m going to keep it that way," Martin said. "That requires a little bit more discipline by me. But I’m going to continue to race because I love to race."

After Martin’s win at Phoenix, it took just 60 seconds or so for both sides to agree on next season and keep him part of Hendrick’s all-star garage with Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

With them as teammates, it "means I’ve got to pay attention every day if I want to compete the way those guys do," Martin said.

Gustafson has been with the No. 5 team since 2000, joining as a shock specialist and rising to crew chief for Kyle Busch in 2005.

No matter what Martin says, Gustafson finds him every bit as focused to succeed as any Cup driver.

"Mark had a great quote at the beginning of the year. ‘I can’t guarantee results, but I can guarantee the effort and the work that we’re going to do.’ That’s just what we’re looking at," Gustafson said.

The 33-year-old Gustafson grew up admiring Martin’s skill and ethic and is excited about the opportunity to help him win a title.

"I don’t think you accomplish anything bigger in your professional life than to win a championship at Hendrick Motorsports with Mark Martin. I think that’s as good as it gets," Gustafson said. "I’m going to do everything in my power to do it."