On its way to Texas last Thursday the Michael Waltrip Racing team made a stop in Batesville, Ark. to visit Mark Martin’s museum at his car dealership.
The seven-year-old museum is packed full of photos, uniforms, newspapers clippings, trophies, cars and memorabilia since Martin started driving on Arkansas dirt tracks for his father Julian.
“This is an amazing place,” said Mike “Nook” McCarville, the No. 55 shock specialist. “There’s so much history of the sport here. To look at these cars and equipment and to see all the pictures shows you how far the sport has come and how much things change.”
Martin circulated among the 50 team members adding commentary to many of the displays. The museum is also a working modern car dealership.
“I’ve wanted to bring these guys out here all year and stopping in Batesville on their way to Texas was the most convenient time,” Martin said. “Arlene and I are proud of what we’ve built here. There are a lot of people who’ve helped me along the way. If you worked on any of my teams you’ll probably find a picture of yourself somewhere in this building.”
Scott Miller, MWR’s executive vice-president of competition, even found an old photograph of he and Martin racing at Riverside Raceway in the 1982 Sprint Cup race. Miller finished 13th that day.
“Now that was something I never expected to see here,” Miller said. “That’s pretty cool. What an honor.”
The museum on state road 167 in Batesville is open to the public daily. In April, Martin holds a daylong open house for fans where he signs autographs and brings racing celebrities.
“It’s been a long road and it’s been a lot of fun and we really wanted to put all of that on display,” said Martin.
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