NASCAR Cup

Marlin Preseason Thunder report 2006-01-18

MARLIN CONFIDENT AFTER SUCCESSFUL DAYTONA 500 TEST SESSION DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 18, 2006) -- After three productive days of testing for next month's Daytona 500, Sterling Marlin is confident that his new Waste Management team has what it ...

Edited: Jan 21, 2006, 3:27 AM

Copy link

Share on Viber

Add as a preferred source

MARLIN CONFIDENT AFTER SUCCESSFUL DAYTONA 500 TEST SESSION

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 18, 2006) -- After three productive days of testing for next month's Daytona 500, Sterling Marlin is confident that his new Waste Management team has what it takes to be successful in the Feb. 19 race.

"I'd love to take home another Daytona 500 victory," said Marlin, a two-time winner (1994, 1995) of the storied event. "I can honestly say I think we have what it takes to get the job done. We have a great team that's working well together and really making things happen, plus two veteran teammates (Joe Nemechek and Bill Elliott) that we can work with.

"On top of that, MB2 continues to produce incredible superspeedway cars, so the Waste Management Chevy is super fast too."

Led by crew chief Doug Randolph, Marlin posted top-10 speeds in all four of Monday and Tuesday's practice sessions, ranking fastest overall on Monday with a lap time and speed of 48.100 seconds at 187.110 miles per hour. The majority of the 34 Nextel Cup teams testing this week used Wednesday for drafting practice on the 2.5-mile tri-oval.

"The Waste Management machine worked well out there with other cars around," said Marlin. "It sucked up good in the draft and just seemed like I could carve in and out-- wherever I wanted. I'm tickled with how well we performed down here all three days. Consistency is important, and not only was I fast but Joe was too and that's a credit to MB2 and everyone working on these racecars.

"I've won a couple of 500s and Joe (Nemechek) has won races here too. I think both of us, along with Bill (Elliott), will really get after it and work hard for a win. It's been a long time since I've come to Daytona, been fast in practice and been this confident going into the race. I'm really looking forward to next month and have high expectations for what this team will accomplish."

-mb2m-

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team

Read and post comments

Share Or Save This Story

Copy link

Share on Viber

Previous article Harvick Preseason Thunder - GM interview

Next article Car of Tomorrow testing times two

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

View More & Comment

Latest news

Max Verstappen on GTWC Europe debut: “We’re here to win”

GT World Challenge Europe Endurance

WCEE GT World Challenge Europe Endurance 6 h

Max Verstappen on GTWC Europe debut: “We’re here to win”

How to watch NASCAR at Phoenix II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup

Phoenix II

6 h

How to watch NASCAR at Phoenix II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV

Ryan Ellis signs multi-year NASCAR O'Reilly deal with Alpha Prime Racing

NASCAR O'Reilly

NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly

Phoenix II

6 h

Ryan Ellis signs multi-year NASCAR O'Reilly deal with Alpha Prime Racing

Ayao Komatsu: Rafael Camara chosen for F1 2027 seat on speed, not Ferrari links

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

Singapore GP

12 h

Ayao Komatsu: Rafael Camara chosen for F1 2027 seat on speed, not Ferrari links

Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.

From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.

You have 2 options:

Become a subscriber.
Disable your adblocker.

Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here

Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page

Manage Alerts