NASCAR Cup Series

Mark Martin says 2009 best year of his life

Published Nov. 14, 2009 12:41 a.m. ET

foxsports

Mark Martin won't judge this season on whether or not he can catch teammate Jimmie Johnson for the Sprint Cup title. No matter where Martin finishes in the final standings, the 50-year-old driver said 2009 has been the best year of his life. Martin has had a resurgence this season, his first with Hendrick Motorsports. He's won five races and is second in the standings, 73 points behind Johnson with two races remaining. The sentimental favorite to win the championship, Martin could instead be headed to a fifth runner-up finish in the standings. Still, he said Friday he's at peace with every aspect of his life and has never been happier. "I may not have the best memory in the world, but I'm going to look at 2009 and say I've had the best year of my life personally as well as professionally," he said. Martin had raced a limited schedule two years before returning to the full circuit this season for Rick Hendrick. He's already committed to run two more full seasons in the No. 5 Chevrolet. The decision came after a return to prominence that be traced to the same Arizona track where he will race Sunday. In April, under the lights, he dominated the race to snap a 97-race winless streak and become the first 50-year-old NASCAR winner since 1993. Martin went on to win at Darlington, Michigan, Chicago and New Hampshire to become a legitimate contender for the Cup title. But, speaking on Friday, he said the wins alone are not what has made this year so satisfying. "You know, I found so much peace and happiness and good-quality time with people, relationships, family, co-workers, fans, competitors as well as success on the race track," he said. Martin will need some help to have this season have a storybook championship ending. Then again, he said, "Sometimes the unexpected happens."