“I’d rather be called King than other things I’ve been called.” Richard ‘King’ Petty was clear about a few things in his racing career. He was one of the absolute greatest to sit behind a NASCAR wheel and he made sure everyone knew that. Be it his titles or the way he carried himself, the King took the Petty name to new heights. Mark Martin certainly hasn’t forgotten this.

In a decision on X around some of the greatest drivers of all time, Mark Martin chimed in on a discussion, showcasing his support for the King’s reign.

What makes Richard Petty the GOAT for Mark Martin? 

During the 1990s, NASCAR was at its height of popularity, and fierce rivalries shaped the sport. Legendary characters like Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt fought on the track, and their fights remain legendary. After over three decades, their shared history still sparks debate among fans, especially about who’s the best.

With 40 Cup Series victories, Mark Martin is often hailed as “the greatest driver who never won a championship.” However, his career wasn’t without controversy. Dale Earnhardt plays a major role in most of it. He finished 26 points behind Earnhardt in 1990, a loss compounded by a controversial 46-point penalty earlier that season. Their rivalry and its aftermath will forever link them. Martin replied to NASCAR’s GOAT debate a few years later with a simple yet impactful statement.

It was a retweet of Vito Pugliese’s breakdown of Richard Petty‘s career, detailing the Herculean challenges Petty faced while racking up 200 victories and seven championships. He pointed out that Petty competed against NASCAR titans like David Pearson, Bobby Allison, and Dale Earnhardt himself while enduring grueling physical and mechanical conditions. Driving with a broken neck was among his exploits, along with his roles as a driver and a team operator. In the X post, he wrote, “Never forget the King.”

Petty was a legend. An X-ray revealed he had previously suffered a break in his neck during a wreck at Pocono in 1980, which he was unaware of. A few days later, he was back on the track at Talladega, demonstrating his unmatched commitment and willpower. Not to forget, Petty is one of the winningest drivers in NASCAR, and his 7-Cup series titles are a testament to his skill.

For Martin, this body of work goes beyond accolades. It was a subtle but pointed nod to NASCAR’s roots, a reminder that the “King” did more than race. There was broader debate sparked by a post from NASCAR on NBC asking, “Greatest driver of all time?” The photo accompanying the question featured names like Earnhardt, Jimmie Johnson, and Jeff Gordon, among others. While fan responses varied, Martin’s unwavering support for Petty cut through the noise. The case for Earnhardt and Jimmie Johnson lies in their 7-titles. Some argued Earnhardt Sr. could have won even more had he not been in that fatal crash. Even Jeff Gordon for that matter. Even if he didn’t win 7 titles, he brought a marketability aspect the other drivers didn’t. 

During some of NASCAR’s most memorable seasons, Mark Martin’s career intersected with Dale Earnhardt‘s. Martin lost the championship by 26 points to Earnhardt in 1990 after an illegal carburetor led to a 46-point penalty. Not only did it define Martin’s career, but also his respect for his contemporaries, especially Earnhardt.

How did Martin’s NASCAR career fare

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Likewise, Martin kept racing after retiring from full-time racing in 2006. In 2009, he won five races and finished second in the championship standings with Hendrick Motorsports. His late-career resurgence helped him transition into a competitive role with a top-tier team. Martin’s success on the track was fueled by a deep respect for the sport’s history and legends.

Even at 50, Mark Martin and the No. 5 team faced early struggles in 2009. A 16th-place finish in the Daytona 500 was followed by back-to-back 40th-place results at Auto Club Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway. However, a sixth-place finish at Bristol Motor Speedway sparked a turnaround. After two more top 10s, Martin dominated at Phoenix Raceway, winning from the pole after leading 157 laps.

Three weeks later, the NASCAR Cup Series arrived at Darlington Raceway for the Southern 500, a race Martin last won in 1993. The event was chaotic, with 17 cautions tying the race record. A recent repave minimized tire wear at the notorious track, and strategy became crucial. Despite running 14th late in the race and making contact with Sam Hornish Jr., Martin’s team gambled on fuel strategy.

Martin restarted sixth with 48 laps to go, benefiting from clean air. Although Jimmie Johnson who started last after a crash in qualifying, pressured him, Martin defended his lead. Two late cautions added to the tension but Johnson eventually backed off, allowing Martin to seal the win.

The victory marked Martin’s second of four wins in a 12-race stretch and the team as championship contenders. They finished the season second in points, behind Johnson. Martin stayed with Hendrick Motorsports for two more seasons but couldn’t replicate the same success. He concluded his Cup Series career in 2013 with Stewart-Haas Racing but his impactful three-year stint with Alan Gustafson at Hendrick remains a highlight of his storied career.