Dale Earnhardt Jr. claims that Mark Martin taught an entire NASCAR generation ‘how to race’

Two-time Xfinity Series champion Dale Earnhardt Jr. has highlighted how Hall of Famer Mark Martin influenced the racing style of a generation of drivers. Martin is known for his clean racing style and is one of the most respected drivers in the sport’s history. His style influenced drivers of his generation and the racers that came after him.

Dale Jr. while talking to Kenny Wallace in a recent episode of the Kenny Wallace Show, highlighted this difference Martin was able to bring to NASCAR. Junior pointed out that Martin was able to help the rivals realize that instead of racing the crap out of rivals and eventually ruining both drivers’ races, it is better to let the faster car attacking pass.

Mark Martin changed the entire culture on the racetrack. One guy taught the entire field how to race. You know when you ran a guy down you didn’t race the crap out of him you let him go. He’s faster you know, it’s halfway in the race, you want to hold him up and slow both of you down.

Dale Jr. said via Kenny Wallace Show.

Mark Martin is the greatest driver of the sport, who unfortunately didn’t win the championship. Before Denny Hamlin surpassed him, Martin was the winningest no-Champion driver. He has won 40 Cup races in his career and finished as the championship runner-up a record five times.

Dale Jr. admits that Mark Martin influenced him to change his driving style

Junior was one of the many drivers influenced by Mark Martins’ racing style. He decided to tidy up his racing and be cleaner over racing aggressively. Dale Jr. claimed that he was able to be less rough once he started to do the same.

So, Mark taught us all how to race, and I cleaned up my act a little bit. and certainly wasn’t quite as rough as I might have been earlier in my career.

Mark Martin’s clean racing style is a lesson the current generation of NASCAR drivers needs to have. The lack of respect in racing has been a big talking point this season, with young drivers showing no hesitancy to move their rivals to pass them. With the more safe and strong cars, racing clean should be a priority for them.

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