AVONDALE, Ariz. - One by one the visitors filed into Victory Lane, eager to pay their respects to Mark Martin.
Jimmie Johnson pushed past a throng of fans to get there, while NASCAR president Mike Helton weaved through the grandstands and across the track. Tony Stewart set aside his disappointment from finishing second to make his visit, and Jack Roush stopped by with heartfelt happiness.
Race fans annually vote Dale Earnhardt Jr. as NASCAR's most popular driver, but after Martin's win Saturday night in the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway, it was obvious the honor truly belongs to the 27-year veteran.
"There's nobody that dislikes Mark," Stewart said. "Mark has taught us all a lot about what it takes to be not only a good driver in this series, but a good competitor and somebody that everybody respects."
At 50 years, 3 months and 9 days, Martin became the third-oldest winner in NASCAR history with the victory. He broke a 97-race winless streak dating back to 2005, and solidified what everyone inside NASCAR already knew: He is still at the top of his game.
He nearly retired in 2005 and skipped 24 races the past two seasons, and those weekends off re-energized Martin and renewed his commitment to racing. He's now leading in points in the early going this season. *
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