Mark Martin Returns To Roush Fenway Racing

The NASCAR legend Mark Martin is reuniting with his former partner Jack Roush and joining Roush Fenway Racing as a driver development coach.

Mark Martin Returns To Roush Fenway Racing

Martin and Roush Fenway Racing announced the news on Thursday, July 31 through various social media outlets and media interviews.

In 1988, Martin became the first driver signed to Roush’s NASCAR operation and the two parted ways 19 years later. Martin says he wasn’t looking for a NASCAR job, but when Roush approached him with the idea of mentoring young drivers, on his own schedule, Martin jumped at the idea.

“Nobody does a better job at developing young talent than Jack Roush. Roush Fenway has an abundance of young, talented drivers, and I’m looking forward to working with each of them going forward. I am very proud of what Jack and I were able to accomplish together and I am excited to expand on those accomplishments,” Martin said in the official press release.

Mark Martin To Act As Driver Development Coach

Martin has over 90 NASCAR victories and 35 Cup races under his belt while racing with Roush Fenway Racing. He says he has enjoyed working with the new talent on the team and with young drivers.

“I’ve made myself available to the drivers and I participate in the competition meetings. It’s been very fulfilling to me. It’s always fun when you can use some experience to help someone else coming up. I don’t know that there’s any more gratifying feeling than that for me, and I’ve always felt that way,” Martin told USA Today.

The sentiment seems mutual; the Roush Fenway Racing line-up welcomed their new mentor with open arms.

Despite his return to NASCAR, Martin says fans shouldn’t expect to see him at races or behind the wheel anytime soon.

“People are getting all revved up: ‘Oh, you need to drive, you need to get in the race car.’ I don’t want to get in the car. I’ve done enough of that,” Martin said.

Article by Olivia Truffaut-Wong

Olivia Truffaut-Wong was born and raised in Berkeley, California, where she developed her love of all things entertainment. After moving to New York City to earn her degree in Film Studies, she stayed on the East Coast to follow her passion and become an entertainment writer. She lives on a diet of television, movies and food.