Loudon: Sterling Marlin preview

Marlin Turns 50 at New Hampshire, Hopes to Collect Top Finish as Birthday Gift

LOUDON, N.H. (June 26, 2007)-- Sterling Marlin will celebrate his 50th birthday on Saturday (June 30) and is looking for a special way to celebrate at New Hampshire International Speedway, site of Sunday's Nextel Cup race.

"I was hoping everyone would just kind of forget about my birthday, but I guess I was crazy to think that'd happen," said Marlin. "Hopefully we can turn in a really good finish this weekend to help celebrate. You only turn 50 once, so I'm hoping we can do something on the track that will help me remember it with positive memories."

Marlin's rise in NASCAR's premier series started 31 years ago -- May 8,q976 -- when he competed in his first NASCAR Cup race, subbing for his injured father -- Clifton "Coo Coo" Marlin -- at Nashville Speedway.

Marlin's career statistics include 727 starts, 10 wins,x3 top fives,r16 top 10s and earnings of more than 41 million. He is the second oldest driver, behind Ricky Rudd (Sept. 12, 1956), to have competed in all 16 Nextel Cup races this season.

"I've been racing since I was a teenager," said Marlin. "It's hard to believe it's been that long. I feel fortunate to still be doing what I love to each and every weekend."

Marlin will continue to add to his impressive career Cup record when the green flag waves to start Sunday's LENOX Industrial Tools 300.

"I'm hoping to bring home a top-10 or better finish up there in New Hampshire," offered Marlin, who will drive the No. 14 Ginn Racing Chevrolet. "We'd be happy with that. Of course, the whole team is hungry for a win and wants to be in Victory Lane, but I think a top 10 or better would be a pretty good gift for my fiftieth."

-credit: gr