Kansas: Points leader post race press conference

Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods Post-Race Transcript

An Interview With:
MARK MARTIN - Chase leader

THE MODERATOR: We're going to roll into our post race Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods at Kansas Speedway today. We appreciate Mark Martin coming in. He drives the No. 5 CARQUEST Kellogg's Chevrolet. You still hold the points lead after three races in the Chase, 18 points over Jimmie Johnson. Talk about your race out there this afternoon here at Kansas.

MARK MARTIN: Well, we didn't quite have it nailed down. Our car was just a little bit off of some of the guys out there, and our race team fought really hard, and we fought for everything we got today.

It was a great effort, and it was actually a very good result based on, you know, missing it just a little bit. It's the first time we've missed it that much in a while, and you're going to have that. I'm just proud of this race team, and we just lacked a little bit being able to get up there and contend for the win.

But we pretty well peaked at the end. Our car was probably the strongest the last run. So with that in mind, I've got to say, man, we're still fighting hard as we can go.

Q: You said you missed a little bit, but you actually extended your points lead a little bit.

MARK MARTIN: Yeah, you can look at anything any way you want. I did and I didn't. I extended on the 48 but I didn't on several guys. Look at it however you want. It's a race, okay; every race, that's how you score points.

What is there, seven more to go? I don't think we should be getting all hyped up about the tally right now, you know. We've got a lot of racing to go.

The races are actually what determines it. We had a good race, a good result based off of being a whisker off.

Q: We just got in here and just wanted to check with you, overall how would you evaluate your race? Like you said, just picked up some points, but if you could look at the whole picture of this race, are you pretty pleased for No. 3 in the Chase to be still up front be finishing seventh here today?

MARK MARTIN: Yes, I am. I have at times been off this much and been in 25th place. If we miss it a little bit and we battle and fight and scratch and come up with a seventh place finish, then I'm very, very proud. I'm proud of my team, and I'm proud of what we accomplished today. And we'll have to try to tune it up a little bit for the next one.

THE MODERATOR: Mark, we appreciate very much you stopping by.

-credit: nascar