Sterling Marlin News - Raceway Report

Marlin racing part-time in 2008? Sterling Marlin has had talks with Ginn Racing about cutting back to a part-time schedule next season. Marlin's contract expires after this season. (News-Record)

Frye: '07 Marlin's last full season: MB2 Motorsports general manager and CEO Jay Frye said Sunday his Nextel Cup driver and sponsorship lineup for next year will remain the same, but that he expects the 2007 season to be Sterling Marlin’s last as a full-time Cup driver. “We have Sterling one more year and then he’s going to retire,” Frye said. “We want to give him a good farewell.” Marlin, who will turn 50 next June, joined MB2 this season after five years with Chip Ganassi Racing. His first full-time Cup season was in 1983. (ThatsRacin)

Marlin pick up Ginn Clubs & Resorts sponsorship: MB2 Motorsports announced that Ginn Clubs & Resorts has agreed to be a primary sponsor on Sterling Marlin's Chevrolet for three Nextel Cup races and Kraig Kinser's Silverado for one Craftsman Truck race. The sponsorship package kicks off this weekend at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway with Ginn Clubs & Resorts being the primary sponsor on Marlin's No. 14 entry for Sunday's Cup race and Kinser's No. 29 entry for Saturday's truck race. Kinser, an MB2 Motorsports development driver, is part of the Morgan-Dollar Motorsports truck team. The agreement also calls for Ginn Clubs & Resorts to sponsor Marlin's MB2-owned Chevrolet -- July 1 at Daytona International Speedway and Oct. 14 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte. (MB2 Motorsports PR)

More sponsorship dollars on the way for Marlin: Expect a sponsorship announcement soon from MB2 Motorsports about additional funding for Sterling Marlin’s No. 14 Chevrolet. Currently, the team has sponsorship for about half the Nextel Cup schedule, but is close to finalizing more deals. An announcement could come next week at Martinsville. (SPEED TV)

Marlin to race backup car: What looked to be a very successful run at Daytona International Speedway for Sterling Marlin turned into a nightmare when an incident under caution damaged the #14 Waste Management Chevy, forcing the team to a backup car for Sunday's Daytona 500. Marlin showed a strong performance in Thursday's first of two Gatorade Duel 150-mile qualifying races, starting eighth and running as high as fourth several times. Then on Lap 58 of 60, the caution flag waved, setting up a green-white-checkered restart. As Marlin followed the field across thestart-finish line for the final caution lap, he was caught off guard as several other racecars slowed to avoid debris and the result was a wrecked racecar. By going to a backup car he will be forced to start the Daytona 500 from the rear of the field.(MB2 Motorsports PR)

Marlin gets Waste Management Sponsor: Waste Management, Inc. and MB2 Motorsports today announced the companies have formed a racing platform that will commence with the 2006 NASCAR season. The agreement calls for Waste Management to be a primary sponsor for 12 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races and a major associate sponsor for 24 other points races on MB2's No. 14 Chevrolet, which will be driven by Sterling Marlin. Waste Management’s first primary sponsorship race will be the season-opening Daytona 500, Feb. 19. Waste Management is also an associate sponsor on MB2’s No. 01 U.S. Army Chevrolet, driven by Joe Nemechek. "We are thrilled to sponsor MB2 Motorsports and have two-time Daytona 500 champion Sterling Marlin on our team," said David Steiner, Waste Management's chief executive officer. "We've had a great relationship with NASCAR since 2001 and are eagerly looking forward to enhancing our racing involvement in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series with our new MB2 Motorsports sponsorship. This new relationship will assist Waste Management in meeting our primary business objectives." Jay Frye, MB2's chief executive officer and general manager, said, "This is an exciting time for MB2. Adding a quality sponsor and an industry leader in environmental services to our racing program is a major step as we prepare for a successful 2006 campaign." Frye added that he is continuing to work out details with additional partners to join Waste Management as a primary/associate sponsor with the No. 14 team. Marlin, who recently announced that he will be joining MB2, says that he is enthusiastically awaiting the 2006 season. (DMF Communication/MB2 PR)

MB2 names crew chief for Marlin in '06: MB2 Motorsports announced that Doug Randolph will be the crew chief for the team's #14 Chevrolet, which will be driven by Sterling Marlin in 2006. MB2 also announced that Randolph will replace Rodney Childers as crew chief of Scott Riggs' #10 Valvoline team for the remaining two races of 2005. MB2's #10 will change to #14 next season. Randolph joined MB2 following the 2003 season as crew chief for Riggs' Chevrolet. He held that post until June of this year when he was named race coordinator and driver development manager. As MB2's driver development manager, Randolph worked closely with 20-year-old Kraig Kinser and directed the sprint car racer to a pair of strong performances in the ARCA RE/MAX Series. (DMF Communications)

Marlin joins MB2 Motorsports: MB2 Motorsports announced that two-time Daytona 500 champion Sterling Marlin has agreed to a multiyear contract to drive the team's No. 14 Chevrolet, beginning in the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup season. The No. 14 will replace MB2’s No. 10, and the 2005 owner points earned from the No. 10 will transfer to the No. 14. The new number is in honor of Marlin's father, Clifton "Coo Coo" Marlin, who drove the No. 14 while competing in NASCAR in the 1960s and 1970s. Mr. Marlin passed away in August. "Sterling's experience, success and popularity bring a new dimension to our growing organization,” said Jay Frye, MB2’s CEO and general manager. “He continues to have the desire to win. It's a great fit and we look for the No. 14 team to have a lot of success in 2006." Regarding sponsorship for Marlin's No. 14 Nextel Cup entry, Frye said that details are still being worked out with potential partners. "We're offering a unique sponsorship package," said Frye. "The package consists of three 12-race primary partnerships that come with a large 24-race associate sponsorship." (MB2 Motorsports PR)

Sterling Marlin testing: Sterling Marlin and the Coors Light team spent two days at Kansas Speedway last week in preparation for the 267-lap event this weekend. (Ganassi Racing PR)

R. Gordon and Marlin okay after wreck: Just 90 laps into the race, Marlin crashed in Turn 2. He had help from Gordon's No. 7 Chevrolet. Gordon, running behind Marlin and Scott Wimmer, went hard into Turn 1 and cut down in front of Wimmer, but Gordon was carrying too much speed and went up the track into Marlin, which resulted in a trip to the wall. Revenge is a dish best served cold, and Marlin let it cool off before returning the favor on Lap 313 by turning dead right into the side of Gordon's car in Turn 2. NASCAR responded by bringing Marlin to pit road for a five-lap penalty. Gordon got his car fixed in the pits. Then, as the caution waved for Wimmer's spin, he charged up through the field to Marlin's car and rubbed up against it. Gordon was brought to pit road for his own five-lap penalty for rough driving. Soon after that incident, NASCAR made the announcement that both drivers and their crew chiefs were expected in the NASCAR hauler forthwith following the race. On his way out of the NASCAR transporter, Marlin said "We're cool, everything is OK." Gordon, back at his team transporter, was a little more vocal. "I definitely got into him (on Lap 90), and I apologize for that," he said. "I don't know if it was payback for something else I did, but everything's cool. We're good." (NASCAR.com)

Marlin Signs with MB2 motorsports: (Sterling) Marlin confirmed yesterday that he will race the next two seasons for MB2 Motorsports as a teammate of Joe Nemechek. I've got a deal," Marlin said, "and it's a good one." The 48-year-old racer from Columbia will replace Scott Riggs, who is jumping to Evernham Motorsports next year. MB2, based in Concord, N.C., could have followed the recent trend in NASCAR and picked one of a dozen young drivers with a more polished image than Marlin, a self-described "country boy." But team official Jay Frye said "age equates to experience," and that Marlin's lack of pretension is appealing. (Tennessean)

Marlin close to signing with MB2: Sterling Marlin is close to signing with MB2 Motorsports for next year, a team source confirmed. He would drive what is currently the No. 10 car (the number will change) as a teammate of Lakeland's Joe Nemechek. Marlin, a two-time Daytona 500 winner, is down to his final 12 races in Chip Ganassi Racing's No. 40 Dodge, which will be driven by David Stremme next year. (Tampa Bay Tribune)

Marlin to MB2 Motorsports? Sterling Marlin appears headed to MB2 Motorsports next season as a teammate of Joe Nemechek, although the veteran racer from Columbia said yesterday the deal is not finalized. "It's a good team with a good engine program," Marlin said. "Joe has won with it." Marlin is expected to take over the team's No. 10 Chevrolet currently driven by Scott Riggs. Riggs will move to Evernham Motorsports next year. "We're still talking," Marlin said of MB2. "We should know something soon." MB2 Motorsports is based in Concord, N.C., and is co-owned by Chattanooga resident Nelson Bowers. In a unique arrangement, Valvoline not only sponsors the car but also is a co-owner. (The Tennessean)

HOF Racing and Sterling Marlin? Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach, former NFL stars, after years of trying have apparently finally got things going for a long-proposed new NASCAR team. One driver under consideration is reported to be Sterling Marlin. Gibbs is to supply the engines. (Salem-Journal)

Coo-Coo Marlin passes away at 73: Clifton "Coo Coo" Marlin, one of NASCAR's early stars and father of current Nextel Cup driver Sterling Marlin, died early Sunday after a battle with lung cancer. He was 73. Marlin died in his hometown of Columbia, Tenn., said officials from Chip Ganassi Racing, which fields cars for Sterling Marlin. "Members of Chip Ganassi Racing will begin racing festivities this morning at Watkins Glen International with heavy hearts as Sterling mourns the passing of his father," the team said in a statement. NASCAR president Mike Helton informed the Cup drivers of Marlin's death at their pre-race meeting at the track. "Our hearts and prayers go out to Sterling and his family," Helton said. "It wasn't just Sterling's father. He was a pioneer (in the sport)." (USA Today)

Marlin not to race Sunday, Coo Coo Marlin battling lung cancer: 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 a.m. 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. (The Tennessean) David Stremme will drive the #40 in tomorrow's race.

Sterling not in Watkins Glen: "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. (Dodge/Clear!Blue PR)

Marlin gets Busch ride: Nextel Cup regular Sterling Marlin, whose future at NASCAR’s top level remains uncertain, has been announced by FitzBradshaw Racing as the new driver for the squad’s No.12 Busch Series Dodge Charger, beginning this weekend at Gateway International Raceway. Marlin will replace Tim Fedewa, who has pedaled the car for the past two years and currently sits 21st in Busch points. "The [No.12] Dodge has not had a top-10 finish all year. We can't sit idle. We've got to do something," team co-owner Armando Fitz justified. (SPEED)

Marlin hopes to know soon: Columbia's Sterling Marlin, who will start 37th in tonight's Nextel Cup Pepsi 400, said no decision has been made about his racing plans next year.
"There's still some discussions going on and hopefully I'll know something before long," Marlin said. Marlin has been notified that his driving contract will not be renewed next season with Chip Ganassi Racing, but he has been offered a "consulting" job with the team. He also has an offer to drive a limited Busch Series schedule for FitzBradshaw Racing, but indicated he would prefer a full-time Nextel Cup ride if he can land with a "competitive" team. Marlin said he has talked to "two or three owners," believed to include Richard Chidress and Jack Roush, and originally thought a decision might come this weekend. Yesterday he said it "will probably be later next month" before a decision is finalized. (Tennessean)

Marlin to Serve as "Ambassador" and Out because of demographics: Marlin has not announced his plans for next year, though Ganassi said he has offered a personal-services contract to Marlin for more than $100,000 to serve as an 'ambassador.'" Sabates, however, said the change in drivers was suggested by Coors Light, the team's primary sponsor this year, to try to appeal to a younger demographic. "You don't find 50-year-old men, old guys, drinking beer," Sabates said. "Old people like us drink wine. And we had a lot of wine last night." (Times-Dispatch)

Marlin and MB2? (Sterling) Marlin said he expects to run the rest of this year's races in the No. 40, and is looking for another ride for 2006 and beyond. Marlin could, for instance, factor in changes expected at MB2 Motorsports, which plans to buy out Valvoline in the No. 10 Chevrolets. The team is looking for another sponsor to keep driver Scott Riggs in that car. If yet another sponsor shows interest in Marlin, MB2 could grow from two to three full-time Cup teams. There also have been reports Marlin has talked to Richard Childress and Jack Roush. "I'm pretty sure something will turn up," Marlin told The Tennessean, "but if it don't, it isn't the end of the world." (More news and notes at Charlotte Observer)

Stremme to 40? and Marlin to Roush? David Stremme, presently in the Busch Series, will likely succeed Sterling Marlin in Chip Ganassi’s No. 40 Dodge, with Lone Star replacing Coors Light as the primary sponsor. Marlin, by the way, is having discussions with Jack Roush about the possibility of replacing Mark Martin next year in the No. 6 Ford. (Gaston Gazette)

Major Gannasi Shakeup? Sterling Marlin still hasn't been officially told what the plans are for the No. 40 Dodge in 2006, but he says he's not ready to retire. "I'd like to race another two or three years and then go fishing," says Marlin, who'll turn 48 on June 30. Marlin has spoken with several teams and hopes to have a plan solidified in the next two weeks. Busch driver David Stremme is considered the heir apparent in the 40. He could replace Marlin for the last seven races of the season, gaining experience while not jeopardizing his rookie status for next season. Changes are expected involving the No. 41 team and driver Casey Mears. Sources say owner Chip Ganassi plans to clean the entire house, making way for Busch Series rookie sensation Reed Sorenson and crew chief Brian Pattie. (FOXSport's Lee Spencer)

Marlin and Ganassi No Plans in '06: Sterling Marlin made the 650th start of his career Saturday night, but had nothing to celebrate after mechanical problems caused him to finish 41st. "Something happened to the motor, it started skipping at about the 100 lap mark,'' Marlin said. "This is one of my favorite tracks, but something happened to the motor.'' But no one is talking about Marlin's past or present. The buzz around him is his future. Marlin said last month that he didn't think he'd be back at Chip Ganassi Racing next year because the car owner had been reluctant to discuss a new contract with him. (ESPN)

Sterling and Gannasi to Part after 05: Sterling Marlin said Friday he is "99.9 percent certain" that he won't be back with Chip Ganassi Racing for the 2006 Nextel Cup season. Marlin, 47, has been driving for the team formerly owned by Felix Sabates since the start of the 1998 season. He's won four races with the team after having six victories in the previous four seasons at Morgan/McClure. Marlin, who will be making his 646th career Nextel Cup start in Sunday's Advance 500 at Martinsville Speedway, is in the final year of his contract. (ThatsRacin)

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