Take Advice from the man before you

I have been going back in time and remembering things that Mark Martin had to go through before he was able to get Jack Roush's car to victory lane at Rockingham in 1989.  Many struggles from blown engines, wrecked race cars and many people questioning him on the way.  Martin was 30 years old when he won first race for Roush Fenway Racing and I still remember it to this day. 

Now 26 years later, Trevor Bayne is in the No. 6 Ford for Roush.  Bayne has been through the same struggles but he can fall back on the man before him for some little advice from the past.  I heard Mark Martin once say you had to be successful at anything as competitive as NASCAR you have to be thick skinned and tough, or you won't survive.  I truly think that Trevor Bayne is a thick skinned and tough Tennessee boy that knows he has what it takes to be successful behind the wheel.

Bayne is in his first full season in the No. 6 Ford

I'm sure he has seen all the people who question his skills, not so aggressive style.  But remember that other guy that ran this car before?  Mark Martin always was questioned for his clean driving style, he won 40 times in his Sprint Cup Series career, 35 of those were in Roush's 6.

I was questioned on a forum this week by a fellow Roush-fan why I chose Trevor Bayne because he just didn't seem to have what it took to make it at this level.  The man was a Biffle fan.  I replied "I chose Bayne because he's the kid that always has a smile on his face, through all the hard hits he's taken, the kid keeps a smile.  I like his attitude on the track and off of it, and he reminds me a lot of Mark Martin."

Bayne has had his struggles off the track dealing with his health issues and until the last two years getting a sponsor to support him.  Advocare stepped up to the plate and the two seem to have a great working relationship with one another.  Bayne is a great rep for the company, he's keeping himself in physical shape and has a sponsor that helps provide an extra boost with their products. 

There are a lot of steps to take for this young man, he's only 24 years old, 6 years younger than Martin when he finally won his first race, and he's already won NASCAR's biggest race at the youngest age ever.  Bayne has a remarkable mindset, he's very knowledgeable when it comes to the setup of a race car and if the cars improve for him, he'll begin to make that gain on the track.  I was at Talladega this past weekend and got into a heated discussion with a Kevin Harvick fan about how Trevor Bayne handled himself on the radio.  The many made a reference that he lost respect for Bayne because he wouldn't cuss on the radio in a wreck.  I replied "That's the reason I respect and like this guy, he's a Christian and doesn't need to cuss." 

For all the years I went for Mark Martin, I can't recall hearing him cuss a crew chief or fellow racer.  It was the reason many respected him as a statesman of the sport.  Trevor Bayne has a long way to go, but I feel confident if he heeds the words of the man that made his ride so popular through the years, he'll be there in the future.