Ganassi Racing’s Busch driver, David Stremme [who will take over the #40 in 2006] is practicing the #40 Coors Light Dodge for Sterling Marlin who flew back to Tennessee last night to be with his father, former Cup driver Coo Coo Marlin, who is ill. No word on Coo Coo’s condition and if Stremme will be in the #40 car all weekend.(PRN’s Garage Pass Radio Show)
AND from a Dodge/Clear!Blue PR Chip Ganassi: “Sterling Marlin is not here this morning, and his father is not doing too well. He flew out of here last night to go back home to be with Coo Coo. (David Stremme will practice the #40 Coors Light Dodge on Friday). None of this could happen today without the steadfast support of Sterling Marlin since I got in partners with Felix. A lot needs to be said there about that man.(8-12-2005)
LATEST on Coo Coo: Retired racing great Coo Coo Marlin of Columbia is hospitalized in serious condition, continuing his battle with lung cancer. The 73-year-old Marlin’s son, Nextel Cup driver Sterling Marlin, has decided to skip tomorrow’s race in Watkins Glen, N.Y., to be at his father’s side. Sterling Marlin and his wife Paula returned home from New York at 2:00am yesterday when informed that the elder Marlin’s condition had worsened. Paula said her husband was with his father yesterday and unavailable for comment. The family has requested privacy during this period. Coo Coo Marlin was the first Middle Tennessee racer to rise to national prominence, spending 14 seasons on the Grand National (now Nextel Cup) circuit. He never won a points race, but was widely respected as a hard-nosed, determined racer. He was also a farmer and cattleman before retiring. Sterling Marlin credits his father for instilling in him the qualities that carried him to two Daytona 500 victories and made his one of the sport’s most popular racers. David Stremme, with help from Scott Pruett, practiced Sterling Marlin’s #40 Dodge for Chip Ganassi Racing yesterday at Watkins Glen. Stremme, who is taking over the #40 Dodge next season, is expected to drive the car in qualifying today and the race tomorrow. Marlin has been working to secure another ride for 2006.(Tennessean)
UPDATE: Scott Pruett, who was to run the #39 Target Dodge for Ganassi Racing until rain cancelled Cup qualifying, will run the #40 Coors Light Dodge for Sterling Marlin at Watkins Glen. Marlin is missing the race to be with his ill father in Tennessee, David Stemme was going to qualify and race the car but was scheduled to go out 46th of 46 cars. The #39 team only had two attempts, so didn’t make the race.(8-13-2005)
