More than 10,000 NASCAR fans descended on star driver Mark Martin’s hometown over the weekend as he hosted defending Nextel Cup champ Kurt Busch and circuit veteran Rusty Wallace at his new Ford dealership. The fans lined up with pieces of Martin’s #6 memorabilia hoping for a signature. When he saw the size of the crowd — some fans came from as far as California, Louisiana and Wisconsin — Martin said he was a bit apprehensive. The event, called Mark Martin Days, was on Friday and Saturday. Next season, Martin said he will join the Craftsman Truck Series for a full schedule and spend more time in Batesville. “I think that’s the most important thing, that people realize just how hard I work for the success,” Martin said. “It hasn’t come easy and I’ve had a lot of competition. I’ve had to work harder than most to be there.”(Atlanta Journal-Constitution/AP)(3-28-2005)
