NASCAR Longshot Mark Martin enjoys being part of the final chase

He says he isn't worried how he'll feel if he falls short again.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Mark Martin insists he's never had as much fun in a race car.
Pressure is something for the four guys in front of him as they head into the final weekend of the closest championship in the history of NASCAR's premier stock car series.
"For us, this is all a bonus," Martin said. "Just to be part of it and running so well is just a tremendous feeling."
He trails leader Kurt Busch by 82 points entering Sunday's Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. But, with Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. bunched between them, a lot of things -- most of them bad for the other guys -- would have to happen for Martin to emerge as the champion.
Martin, one of the sport's biggest stars for nearly two decades and a four-time series runner-up, knows his quest for the title is a longshot. But he says it's good just to be part of it -- especially after what he went through just to get into NASCAR's new 10-man, 10-race playoff-style championship chase.
"It's been one of the biggest honors of my career to be part of this chase and to be competitive as well," Martin said. "There have been times when I wish we could have had a little bit more good fortune but, as far as the performance goes, I've been very pleased. It's been more than I could have expected for 2004."
Miserable 2003
The often pessimistic Martin came into the season drenched in gloom and doubt, the memories of a miserable 2003 season still fresh and painful.
After going all the way to the final race of 2002 before losing the title to Tony Stewart by just 38 points, Martin was expected to be a contender the following season. Instead, his No. 6 Roush Racing team struggled mightily just to be competitive.
He had only 10 top-10 finishes, failed to win a race for only the third time since 1990, failed to finish seven races and wound up an embarrassing 17th in the season standings.
"I was afraid 2003 was going to set the tone for the twilight of my career," Martin said. "I was just sick about that. It took a lot of hard work by this team to get back to this point."
If Martin doesn't win the title this year, he'll only have one more chance. The 45-year-old driver announced recently that 2005 will be his final season.
Team owner Jack Roush, who has fielded cars for Martin since 1988, says it would be a shame if his old friend finishes his career without a championship.
"Mark has given so much to this team and this sport, he deserves to be remembered as a champion, whether he wins the big trophy or not," said Roush, who got his first title last year with Matt Kenseth.
"But you can't take away anything from what Mark has done in his career," Roush added.
"He's been one of the best for a long time, and he's still racing as good as he ever did."
As much as he would love to be champion, Martin says he isn't worried about how he will feel if it doesn't happen.
"I don't think I have one coming to me," he said. "If I can earn it, then I'll get one."