NASCAR: 5 drivers who pulled a ‘Tom Brady’

Drivers who pulled a “Tom Brady”: No. 5 – Mark Martin

For most, when it comes to backtracking on retirement or deciding to return when once mentioned otherwise, the name that comes to mind is Mark Martin. The Batesville, Arkansas native had a career in NASCAR that spanned over three decades. But it wasn’t complete without some false retirements along the way.

Martin spent the majority of his career driving the #6 Ford for Roush Racing and initially planned to cut back on full-time Cup Series competition, driving a “Salute to You” car in 2005 to thank the fans for their support over his career. Jamie McMurray was set to replace him, but plans changed.

McMurray instead went to Chip Ganassi Racing, Martin spent another year in the #6 Ford, and David Ragan was tabbed to replace him for the 2007 season. But this didn’t stop the NASCAR Hall of Famer from competing past 2006, however, and his plans of retirement flew out the window once again.

Martin went on to drive part-time for Ginn Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc. in 2007 and 2008 before returning to NASCAR on a full-time basis when he agreed to drive the #5 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports in 2009. In his debut year behind the wheel of the #5 Chevrolet, he scored five wins and finished in second place in the championship standings.

Even after two more full-time seasons in the #5 Chevrolet, Martin still wasn’t done with racing. He went on to spend time driving for Michael Waltrip Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing, and Stewart-Haas Racing in 2012 and 2013. Martin’s final start came at Homestead Miami Speedway in November 2013, when he finished in 19th place.

Since his last race, Martin has stuck to his guns and has not hopped back into a stock car, and he has remained adamant about his retirement when fans ask him to come back for one more time or even race in other series such as SRX.

At 63 years of age, it’s easy to think Martin’s retirement is true this time around, but he will always be remembered as the original driver to pull a “Tom Brady” and walk back on his initial plans.