Fit'n Fast Driver of the Week: Mark Martin

Each week- I'll pick a driver to discuss in the Fit'n Fast column. I'll pick drivers based on their on track performance during practice, and qualifying. I may even add in their personal life- depending on the driver I choose. This post is a little longer then  future posts simply because it's the first post of the series.

Winning the pole, or being fastest in practices does not mean the driver will win the race. Neither does living a healthier, and fit life. Years ago,drivers Cale Yarborough, Richard Petty, and Dale Earnhardt did not live an athletic lifestyle, and I'm sure they didn't count calories they ate either.

Not all drivers are in the gym when not on the racetrack. Tony Stewart does not prioritize working out- or eating a balanced meal with green veggies, and proteins and he still has three championships in NASCAR's Cup Series. Stewart still has stamina to race in a multiple races with his World Of Law's series team.

Today's younger drivers choose to live fit, and that does not hurt their performance. Living to be fit helps in many other area's of life.  It's a personal decision you make for yourself- and it can only make you stronger.

During "Speedweeks" in Daytona, Florida I had chosen Kasey Kahne to be the "Fit'n Fast" driver of that week. He ran a half marathon almost seven hours after the Sprint Unlimited. He managed to finish a 13 mile run in 1 hour 28 minutes. Later that day, he placed sixth in the Daytona 500 Pole Qualifying. During practice later that week- he clocked fastest speeds in his No. 5 Farmers Insurance Chevy SS. He ran the second Budweiser Duels race on Thursday and finished second. Unfortunately,  he crashed on lap 35 in the Great American Race- severe damage was done to the car and Kahne had to settle with a 36th place finish. This week- he starts the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway in second position, right next to this weeks Fit'n Fast Driver: Mark Martin.

Photo Credit
Jared Wickerham Getty/Images
NASCAR Media Group 

Martin is a 54 year-old has been racing for 31 years in the Cup series. In 855 starts, he has 40 wins; 271 top fives, and 449 top 10's.  He has not won Championship, yet he is known as one of the wisest and better drivers in the garage. Martin spent three years driving the No. 5 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports before Kahne took over- now Martin is a part-time driver with Michael Waltrip Racing in the No. 55 Aaron's Furniture Toyota.

Martin may not have joined Kahne, or third place qualifier Jimmie Johnson in the half-marathon in Daytona two weeks ago, nor did he run in any of Kahne's 5Ks, nor did Martin participate in the sprint-triathlon in South Carolina last July, but Martin is  known as one of the fittest drivers in NASCAR. His workout schedule is intense, he tweets about every workout.

Do you think today could be the day Martin breaks his losing streak?  His last win was September 20th, 2009- at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

                   Tune in today at 3 PM to watch the Subway Fresh Fit 500 on FOX.