Go Martin!

While I wouldn’t call myself a regular follower of NASCAR, I've always enjoyed and appreciated the sport. I never miss the Daytona 500 and try to catch some of my other favorite tracks like Darlington, Talladega, Bristol and Martinsville among others.

I’ve attended three races in my life - two at Michigan and one at Chicago. Probably the most exciting was a Michigan race where I had a connection who supplied me with pit and garage passes for the entire weekend. As someone who has sat in the stands, enjoyed a skybox and watched a race from pit road, let me just say pit road is by far the most exciting place to watch a race.

The reason I bring up NASCAR, is because of what is unfolding with this season’s championship chase. I’ve always been a big fan of Mark Martin, and I think it would be one NASCAR's best stories ever if he is able to hold on for his first championship. The 50-year old driver has finished runner-up in the final standings four times. Martin is clearly one of the sport’s greatest ever, and - by all indications - one of the most hard-working and genuine individuals of any sport.

If Martin does take the championship, let’s hope the once-already-retired driver continues to race on and chase that elusive Daytona 500 win.