NASCAR: Mark Martin says no focus on title fight

While he could still mathematically beat his teammate Jimmie Johnson and become NASCAR’s oldest champion, the odds are against Mark Martin this weekend in Homestead.

Johnson has been unbeatable in the past four Chase to the Sprint Cup, most likely making him the first driver to win a fourth straight championship tomorrow, in Miami.

Even if Martin was to win tomorrow’s race, Johnson, with his lead of 108 points, only needs a top-25 to be crowned champion. Starting from pole, the champion will most likely be on top all race, unless something unexpected comes up.

Martin was able to gain 108 or more on Johnson only one time in the 266 races they have been racing in together. It was in 2005 and Johnson had crashed out.

But the veteran driver will not be looking at victory tomorrow. He says he has lived through his best season so far and will be happy regardless of the result.

"I'm having lots of fun this year," said Martin. "This has been obviously the best year of my life professionally as well as personally.

"The personal part comes from being happy. I was a very, very happy person in 2008. But that little bit of extra performance that we have been getting on the racetrack in 2009 even made it more awesome,” said Martin who will be starting fourth tomorrow.