Marlin’s Team Upbeat After Recent Finishes
FORT WORTH, Texas (April 4, 2006)-After a slow start to the 2006 season due to an accident, blown engine and a flat tire, Sterling Marlin’s new MB2 team is heading in the right direction with finishes of 17th and 14th at the last two races.
With his confidence in high gear, Marlin heads to Texas Motor Speedway where he will drive the No. 14 CENTRIX Financial Chevrolet in Sunday’s Samsung/RadioShack 500.
“We’ve had some decent finishes lately,” said Marlin. “We’ve struggled a little this year, but this is a new race team and we’ve got a learning curve to overcome. I really think Doug (Randolph-crew chief) is doing a great job leading this MB2 team. Everyone is starting to jell and the results are starting to show it.”
The season started off on a sour note for the new team, with Marlin placing himself in contention for a third Daytona 500 win in the season-opening event before a late-race accident ruined any chance of a top finish. The following weeks weren’t much better with a flat tire and a blown engine adding to the misfortunes.
“This team never gives up and that’s what it’s all about,” said Randolph. “We aren’t happy with top-20 finishes– we want to win races. But we’re making improvements and getting better each week. If we continue to do that, things will work out for us.”
Texas Motor Speedway presents the team’s next challenge. Marlin has notched four top 10s in his 10 starts at the 1.5-mile speedway, including a fifth in last spring’s event.
“Our goal this weekend is a top-10 finish for the CENTRIX Financial Chevy,” said Marlin. “Of course we’d like to do better than that, but a top 10 would be a good day. We’re taking it one step at a time. That’s all we can do now — go out, be competitive and let the cards fall where they may.”
Contacts:
Tara Gudger
919-559-9654
David Ferroni
612-805-8718