Fontana: Martin post-qualifying interview

MARK MARTIN, NO. 01 U.S. ARMY MONTE CARLO SS, QUALIFIED 3RD:

"When he (Ryan Pemberton, crew chief) said '78', I thought 'Man, '78', I as hoping for a flat. Man, I didn't know what we did. We are still getting to know one another, Just a lot of different, we are just still getting to know each other, Man, this is just awesome to drive for this U.S. Army team, We probably won't do any better when we get to know one another, but it is sure going to feel less awkward, I ask him on the back stretch coming up to speed, 'Did you do this?', 'Did you do that?' you know. I am having a blast.

"It was a good lap for us. I am old and I don't qualify well. The track is going to get faster and we are going to get knocked back, but it isn't going to be like the last time I was here, I started last because I overdrove. I didn't want to do that so that was a conservative lap, we have just an awesome race car, great Hendrick horsepower, Life is so good for me right now, I just appreciate it all. I appreciate the opportunity to drive this stuff and have all these fans."

-credit: gm racing