NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series
Photos and story © 2005 Dwight Drum
Web work by Gary Larsen

Ford Racing Focus

"I'm just a regular guy."

Time: NASCAR finale 2005
Place: Los Olas River front, Ft Lauderdale, Fla.
Event: Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway

When the Ford Championship Weekend revs up at Homestead-Miami Speedway for the NASCAR finale the energy seems to spread to the entire Miami area and beyond. Ford Racing treats fans in Ft. Lauderdale and Miami to the annual Ford FanFest held at Las Olas Riverfront in coordination with the Ford Championship Weekend NASCAR finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Ford NASCAR drivers posed for photos and signed autographs for hundreds of fans queued up in long lines in the quaint downtown park.

Legendary drivers like Mark Martin are especially popular and frequently busy during fan events, media moments, sponsor obligations, and of course when practicing and racing. Our interview was conducted after a hectic fan event, after an autograph session during a walk from the signing area to restricted VIP accommodations. It wasn't the best situation for questions and answers but Martin was gracious to give answers while fans struggled to get close and greet him as he navigated a short walk through a lingering crowd.

We thank Martin for his courtesy and thank fans for wanting words and images.

Dwight asked Mark Martin:

"No. I never had that."

"I don't have much racing career left, really. I'm looking forward to opening a new chapter in my life, something a little bit different than being at a racetrack every day. "

"Gosh, if they don't know me by now I don't know. I'm just a regular guy."

"That's another hard one. I don't know. That's a hard question. "

"It's in the genes I think. Some people are just a lot more competitive than others. I'm just a real competitive guy."

"I just want to thank all the fans for making 2005 the best year of my career. "