He’s back…Mark Martin wins pole for 2010 Daytona 500

Last year he became the oldest pole winner in Brickyard 400 history, and finished second in NASCAR’s second most prestigious race. He’s now the oldest pole sitter in Daytona 500 history too.

Last year he started second in the “Great American Race,” and this year, 51-year-old Mark Martin will start off the season on the right foot by leading the field to the green in next week’s Daytona 500. Now, can he one up his finishing spot too?

After turning the quickest lap of the afternoon the 51 year old Martin stood by his car (AP)

In 26 attempts the best Mark Martin has ever finished in the race referred to as the “Super Bowl of NASCAR” was second in 2007. “This might be as good a shot as I’ve ever had,” he said after turning a lap of 47.07 seconds. Martin was the only driver to top 191 mph in the qualifying session.

After a career high seven poles in 2009, Martin is off to the best start he could possibly have in 2010.

“It’s all about the team,” he told FOX’s Krista Voda after waiting for qualifications to end. “That was not an accomplishment of mine. That was the team.”

Alan Gustafson (left) and Martin discuss plans before Martin qualified the No. 5 GoDaddy.com Chevy (Getty Images)

In his last pole of the 2009 season Martin started beside teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. Earnhardt Jr. and Martin share a building in the Hendrick Motorsports complex, but have been overshadowed in the past by teammates Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson.

Not this week.

“It’s a tribute to a great organization,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “The driver really doesn’t have nothing to do with it that time.”
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Earnhardt Jr.'s No. 88 (left) and Martin's No. 5 will lead the 43-car field to the green on Valentine's Day (David Newton, ESPN.com, Twitter.com photo)

For one whole week Earnhardt Jr. and Martin can sit back and rest easy knowing they’ll have a clear view of the start of the biggest race of the season. It’s the shot in the arm that Earnhardt Jr. needs to get his season started on the right foot, and the type of success that Martin had last season just continuing.

It looks like the most popular driver in NASCAR and the sentimental favorite will be stronger than ever when the green flag drops at 1 p.m. on Feb. 14. Until then, all we have to think about are the Duels on Thursday, and of course the Bud Shootout this evening.

NASCAR racing is back, and so is Mark Martin. Nothing could be better.