New Headline: Mark Martin Makes Epic Shift in Thriving Gen 2 Motorsports!
Nov 17, 2013; Homestead, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Mark Martin during the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Mark Martin played a substantial role in bringing the Chase format back to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2026.
The 67-year-old veteran made it his job to be the voice of the fans and create an impact on the sport. But he is far from being done yet. He said in a recent interview that he wishes to have direct participation in improving the Next Gen car.
The seventh generation, or widely known as the Next Gen car, has been largely criticized for its underperformance since being introduced in 2022. NASCAR has taken many steps to fine-tune the platform and make it perform in an engaging way, especially at short tracks and superspeedways. While it has found decent success in that mission, not to mention the car’s superb showing on intermediate-style ovals, there is still some distance to go.
Martin wants to be a part of that final stretch. He said , “I wish that they would let me do a test and dictate what was done on the car. Let me do it one time.
You know, let me have one car, one team, and let’s have them do the things that I want to do. And if the things that I want to do show something, then let’s have a group of cars come and run that. Because I have my own beliefs.