Martin hopes for reversal of fortunes

By Jim Pedley

Special to the Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service

When Mark Martin arrived at Chicagoland Speedway last July for the 19th race of the 2009 Sprint Cup season, he was a genuine feel-good story. When he left Chicagoland after winning the race, he was a feel-great story.

This weekend, as Martin returns to Chicagoland for Saturday’s LifeLock.com 400, he sure could use another big fat old shot of feel good. Because the fact is, unless he can reverse what has become a two-month streak of poor finishes, his quest for a first Cup championship may go all Titanic on him and his team.

Even though he is 13th in points and only 39 points out of the 12th and final Chase berth with eight races to go before the playoff starts, Martin is in real danger of missing this year’s Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

“Well, we’re not performing,” Martin said, “but we are. We’re better in execution than we were a year ago.”

Chicago could be the place where Martin reverses his fortunes. Three of his best finishes this season have come on 1.5-mile tracks.