Philadelphia Daily News from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Page 60

Martin wants to win it all, not just show up LET'S PUT to rest the idea that Mark Martin is just happy to be back as a full-time Sprint Cup THIS WEEK'S RACE racer. The geezer is going for his first Chase Martin's victory Sunday at New Hamp- to win this year's Chase, it's Martin. He has been runner-up four times. After racing part time the previous two seasons, Martin, 50, joined powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports for one last fling. Martin is so reinvigorated by his season, he has signed to race two more seasons for Hendrick.

Asked during pre-Chase interviews last week in New York whether he could have dreamed a year ago that he would be a contender in the Chase, Martin smiled and said: "No. It's a big surprise to me. First, the hurdle for me to take the position full time, it's embarrassing now, after all the fun I'm having. I can't believe I was that stupid. "I thought we could do well in the points, because traditionally I've been consistent.

But I had BILL FLEISCHMAN 10 Nationwide, three truck Weird stat of the week: David Ragan has finished 33rd in the last three Cup races Elliott Sadler's eighth-place finish at New Hampshire was his best since a fifth in the season-opening Daytona 500. Wins: Mark Martin, Kyle Busch, Tony Stewart and Jimmie Johnson, 3 each; Matt Kenseth, Kasey Kahne and Denny Hamlin, 2 each; Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Brian Vickers, David Reutimann, Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, leach. SPRINT CUP STANDINGS Prv. Pts. Behind 1.

Mark Martin 1 5230 2. Jimmie Johnson 3 5195 -35 3. Denny Hamlin 4 5195 -35 4. JuanMontoyal 11 5175 -55 5. Kurt Busch 7 5165 -65 6.

Tony Stewart 2 5156 -74 7. Ryan Newman 10 5151 -79 8. Brian Vickers 8 5140 -90 9. Greg Biffle 12 5138 -92 10. Jeff Gordon 6 5128 -102 11.

Carl Edwards 9 5117 -113 12. Kasey Kahne 5 5069 -161 Up next: Price Chopper 400, Oct.4, Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, 2 p.m.; TV: Channel 6. BillFleischman shire gives him a 35-point lead over Jimmie Johnson and Denny Hamlin. It was Martin's first win at New Hampshire in 26 starts. Talk about good timing Martin now leads the Cup series with five wins this season.

If there is a sentimental choice AAA 400 Dover International Speedway Dover, Del. When: Sunday, 2 p.m. TVRadio: Channel 6ESPN (950-AM), WNPV (1440-AM), WDSD (94.7-FM) Race course: 1-mile oval Race distance: 400 laps400 miles Last year's race winner: Greg Biffle Last year's pole winner: Jeff Gordon, 157.061 mph Track qualifying record: Jeremy Mayfield, 161.522 mph (June 2004) Track facts: Matt Kenseth was runner-up in last year's race; Carl Edwards was third Biffle's victory followed his Chase-opening win at New Hampshire. Edwards held a 10-point lead over Biffle and Jimmie Johnson after Dover Johnson won the spring race at Dover. It was his fourth career at Dover, tying him with Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon for most W's among full-time active drivers Kyle Busch isn't in the Chase, but he's still winning races.

His season total is 15: four Cup, six Nationwide, five truck. Last year, he won 21 races: eight Cup, no idea that we could pound on them for wins like we have." Martin's disappointments in the Cup series have had him adopting a glass-half-empty outlook for years. "I've swallowed some pretty big pills in my racing career, so I'm cautious about expecting things," he said at New Hampshire. "It's just how I manage my emotions and everything else." His teammate, Johnson, the three-time reigning Cup champion, has enjoyed observing Martin this season. "When the season started, he was putting realistic expectations on some goals," Johnson said.

"As time goes on, he knows there's a really good chance that he can be a champion. He's doing everything he can not to think about it. He's made a vow that his happiness is not going to depend on a championship. He's keeping his head down and staying focused on winning." Tryson still Chasin' Chase teams need intense focus during the 10-race playoff. What they don't need is having a crew chief practically banished from the team during the week.

Kurt Busch is in the awkward situation of seeing crew chief Pat Tryson banned from the Penske Racing shop during the week except for Tuesday race de-briefings, because he is leaving next season. Tryson is still directing Busch and the No. 2 Dodge team on race weekends. Tryson's access is limited, be- 171 SI sfLJM COME MEET LHiWii Promotions JJB Phillies World Series Champions BERKSHIRE MALL SEPT. 25th -27th SAT.

OCT. 3 from NOON 1:30 14 S. York Rd, Hatboro, Pa 19040 215-675-8746 AUTOGRAPHS $20 ROCKAWAY MALL OCT. 2nd 4th Tony Taylor, Jack Fisher, Tony Gonzalez, Eddie Joost, Barney Schultz, Carl Scheib, Spook Jacobs, Al Brancato, Doug Clemens, Don Hasenmayer, Jackie Hernandez and possibility Curt Simmons as a group together. It's a tough situation, but we're making the best of it." If Tryson is uptight about his situation, he isn't showing it.

"If things don't go well, that might create some different issues," the Malvern native told nascar.com's Dave Rodman at New Hampshire. "But I don't anticipate that happening. I expect us to continue to run well. When we get to Homestead, for the Chase finale, hopefully, we've got a shot at the championship." Testing in 2010 NASCAR announced yesterday that it will continue its policy of not permitting testing at tracks that host national series. Testing will be permitted at NASCAR-sanctioned tracks where regional racing is held, such as South Boston Speedway in Virginia.

cause, after this season, he is leaving for Michael Waltrip Racing, where he'll be the crew chief for Martin Truex Jr. Mike Nelson, Penske's vice president of operations, said the decision was made to keep Tryson from knowing about the team's plans for next year. Busch insists Tryson's situation won't hamper the team's attempt to win this championship. "I don't see it bringing up any issues," Busch said on a Tuesday conference call. "The fact that Pat is still there on race weekend will definitely keep the continuity together." Busch noted that crew members have Mondays off and Thursday is a travel day, so Tryson misses being with his crew primarily on Wednesdays.

"The concern on the management side is the development for 2010," Busch said. "I can understand that, but the present is now, and we need to continue working HUGGIN5 SCOTT AUCTIONS is looking to buy or consign your VINTAGE (pre-1975) sports cards memorabilia older Americana type collectibles for our next World Wide Internet Auction. Call Steve, 215-530-4365 hugginsandscott.com OCX I CD Williamsons Restaurant Breakfast 9 AM Open Seating Reservations Required $50.00 Autograph session to follow breakfast 11 AM -1 PM For more details contact Phila A's Society 6 North York Rd, Hatboro PA 19040 1-800-318-0483 or www.philadelphiaathletics.org STAT AUTHENTIC LLC offers authentication, appraisals, acquisitions, and collection liquidation services. Serving the hobby with extensive hobby experience since 2005. STAT will have a table at this event.

Simply Woeful! Mow tine simple place is MarketpUc Shop here and on philly.com Send e-mail to fleiscbphillynews.com. PAGE 60 PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2009.