In the present age, Denny Hamlin may be the star-studded driver lacking a championship. However, just a few decades ago, another great NASCAR racer also eluded a Cup Series title. But in terms of skill and prowess, he was one of the best. That is none other than Mark Martin, named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers in 1988. He finished runner-up to the Cup Series championship five times. But two times among them sting to this day.

That is because Dale Earnhardt Sr. snatched the titles from Mark Martin those two times. ‘The Intimidator’s legendary laurels need no introduction. Ranging from 7 Cup Series championships to flawless late-race passes, Earnhardt’s achievements were heavy. Yet, one of the times when Mark Martin beat him still makes a veteran happy.

Recalling a time when Dale Earnhardt Sr. was defeated

Robin Pemberton has been a veteran crew chief for NASCAR superstars. They included a trio of NASCAR Hall of Famers, Richard Petty, Mark Martin, and Rusty Wallace. From seeing through fine-riddled Petty’s 198th win at Charlotte in 1983, to grooming Kyle Petty in his best Cup seasons of 1992 and 1993, Pemberton’s contributions have been immense. However, what still stands out in his mind is the 1990 season. Martin won the second race of the season at Richmond Raceway. But due to Dale Earnhardt pointing out an illegal carburetor, Martin got a 46-point penalty and a $40,000 fine. Eventually, Martin and his Roush Fenway team would finish runner-up to Earnhardt that season.

Despite the eventual loss, Robin Pemberton, who worked in the pit crew of Mark Martin, fondly remembers one race. That was the Holly Farms 400 at North Wilkesboro Speedway, where Martin defeated Dale Earnhardt Sr. Pemberton recalled that race in a recent Dale Jr Download episode: “I miss Wilkesboro and old school things. We had some good races down there. We kicked your dad’s ass one day with Mark. We did it, and it was a total team effort.” 

Dale Earnhardt Sr. won five races in North Wilkesboro between 1986 and 1995. It felt amazing to steal a win from amidst that streak, as Robin Pemberton described the 1990 race with Mark Martin: “I’m watching the race sitting on the hood of somebody’s car…I say, ‘He’s got too much wheel in it. He’s too tight…So he (Steve Hmiel) told Mark, ‘Alright…next pit stop, I’m gonna pull that half rubber out of the right front.’ ‘Yeah, no, don’t take the time, I don’t wanna lose a spot’…I was the front tire changer. So anyways, we pulled it…That thing just took off; it was a good team effort.” 

Robin Pemberton topped off this walk down memory lane with a salute to Mark Martin. The Hall of Famer concluded his racing career back in 2013 with 40 Cup Series wins, 5 IROC Championships, and 4 ASA titles. Pemberton reflected on his skills: “He was the guy, you’d pass his a–…and 20 laps later, he’s passing you ’cause he’s got tires left, right? And drives off into the sunset. He understood what 90% was.”

While Pemberton cherished the days of beating Dale Earnhardt, he also recalled another incident. This time, he watched a controversy from outside the racetrack.

Officiating in a big scandal

In 2013, Mark Martin retired. In the same year, one of the biggest scandals in NASCAR rocked the sport. It happened during the Federated Auto Parts 400, the final race in the Cup Series regular season. Michael Waltrip Racing drivers gave birth to the infamous ‘Spingate’ controversy. Clint Bowyer intentionally spun in the closing laps to help teammate Martin Truex Jr. make the chase. Then Brian Vickers was told to come down pit road for the same reason. When NASCAR executives unearthed these race manipulation antics, the consequences were severe. Truex ended up leaving the team at season’s end along with longtime sponsor Napa Auto Parts, Bowyer lost 50 points, and Ty Norris was suspended.

Robin Pemberton recently recalled the scandal that resulted in Michael Waltrip Racing folding its operations. He said, “About 10 o’clock in the morning (the day after the race), the phone rings. It’s (former NASCAR president) Mike Helton. He goes, ‘We got frickin’ trouble. We got to do an investigation.'” He continued, “Monday at nine or 10 o’clock, I’m on a (expletive) airplane going to Chicago. They (NASCAR) put me in a room. The TV people came in, and they replayed stuff and replayed stuff. I was in that room for eight or 10 hours the first day and probably 16 the second day.” Eventually, Jeff Gordon entered the Chase as a 13th driver.

Both of these incidents are now in the past. As Robin Pemberton recalls them, they offer a better insight into the present.