Mark Martin: Death Of A Dream
Dateline: 06/12/2000When the 2000 Winston Cup season began in February many people believed that Mark Martin would be celebrating in New York City as the 2000 Winston Cup Champion. Just six races ago Mark was proving them right. However, Mark's frustrating 40th place finish in Michigan puts the final nail in his coffin, clearly killing his Championship dream.
The #6 Valvoline/Cummins Roush Racing entry started the year off strong and was shaping up to be Bobby Labonte's primary challenger for the title. He was leading the points just six races ago after his sixth place finish in Talladega. However Mark has not been able to muster even a top ten finish since then and has fallen in the points from the lead all the way back to ninth, 318 points behind leader Bobby Labonte.
The Remaining Contenders
The Winston Cup drivers have now completed fourteen of the thirty-four points races that make up the 2000 Championship season and four drivers remain with a legitimate chance at the title.
The current leader Bobby Labonte and his Joe Gibbs race team have been undeniably strong. Solid consistency, reliable equipment and a top-notch race team have given Bobby a solid grip on the title. If his team continues to deliver, Bobby will be very difficult to catch.
"The Intimidator" Dale Earnhardt currently holds on to the second spot in the points. Earnhardt has been showing some of that competitive spirit that enabled him to win seven championships already. Clearly Dale knows what it takes to win a Championship and has positioned himself well for the stretch run. If Bobby stumbles then Earnhardt will be there to capitalize.
Somewhat of a surprise, Ward Burton finds himself holding down third place in the standings just four markers behind Earnhardt. There were some questions about the effect that new teammate Dave Blaney would have on this Bill Davis Racing team but Ward is off to a great start in 2000. With Earnhardt Sr. in front of him absorbing the majority of the press Ward is staying focused and preparing to claim his first ever Winston Cup Championship.
There is a gap from third place back to Dale Jarrett. The defending champion had some trouble early in the season with terrible finishes in Atlanta (36th) and Texas (33rd) but has been steadily climbing back to the front with four straight top five finishes. If DJ continues this torrid pace he will be a factor before we get back to Atlanta in November.
Everybody Else
Fifth place in the points Jeff Burton is 248 points behind. Although a long way from mathematical elimination, (we aren't even half way through the season yet) the likelihood that all four of the teams in front of him will stumble enough to be caught is pretty low. Certainly a top-five or even a top-three points finish is within reach of everybody in the current top-ten in points. But the four teams at the front know what they have to do and have proven that they can get it done in 2000.
