Mark Martin’s introduction drew the loudest cheers at Bristol Motor Speedway during Sharpie 500 driver introductions, and the honors continued for Martin before his 1,000th career start. Besides a video tribute, the 50-year-old was presented with a 3-foot trophy with the number 1,000 on top while fans in the north end zone turned red, white and black cards reading The 1000 Mark. It was enough to choke Martin up as he thanked the crowd for their support. “A thousand starts ain’t no big deal,” Martin said, “but what they did made me cry.”(USA Today)
AND The folks at BMS honored Martin with the latest card stunt. The fans between turn 1 and 2 revealed a message that read “The 1000 Mark.” Martin also received a special commemorative trophy from BMS president and general manager Jeff Byrd, who also gave Martin a thousand gallons of gas for his airplane.(Kingsport Times News)(8-23-2009)
