Mark Martin drops 2-word reaction as major racing series makes bold return to traditional points format

Mark Martin reacted to a major announcement involving the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. The veteran NASCAR driver shared his reaction after the series confirmed it will return to a traditional season-long points format.

Martin posted his reaction on X. He responded to a post from FloRacing. The post announced that the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will move away from its playoff format and return to a full-season points structure starting in the 2026 season.

The change ends the four-driver championship chase that had been used for the last three years. Mark Martin reshared the post and wrote,

“HELL YEAH 🏁”.

The announcement followed comments made by series director Rick Schwallie during the postseason banquet at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The series confirmed that the season-long points format will return in 2026, while the total points fund will remain at more than $1.2 million.

Additional late-season bonus programs are also planned and will be announced before Christmas. The playoff system was introduced in 2023 and featured a winner-take-all finale at Eldora Speedway.

In the following two seasons, only four drivers remained eligible for the championship heading into the final races. The change in format comes shortly after FloSports acquired the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series following 21 years under Lucas Oil ownership.

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Mark Martin recalls Daytona setback tied to the No. 32 car

Mark Martin’s connection to the No. 32 car dates back to the 1993 NASCAR Busch Series season. That year, Mark Martin failed to qualify his No. 60 Roush Racing Ford for the Goody’s 300 at Daytona.

Dale Jarrett allowed Martin to drive DAJ Racing’s No. 32 Chevy Lumina for the race. Mark Martin started 34th and was involved in a crash on lap 39. He finished 42nd.

A fan on X later asked about the history of the No. 32 Winn-Dixie car. Former NASCAR journalist Bob Ellis, who runs “The Dale Earnhardt Archive” account, responded by writing,

“DNQed Daytona in 1993 and Roush made a deal with DAJ Racing to use their 32 for the race. Mark ended up finishing 42nd. He then came back the next 2 races and won in the Roush 60.”

After seeing the response, Martin added his own comment on X. He wrote,

“We were too damn slow at @DAYTONA.”

Martin rebounded quickly that season. He won the following race at Rockingham and then won again at Richmond. After his retirement, he said the reason for his retirement.

"People always say, ‘Well, just come and practice, come and test.’ I get offers all the time. I have no interest in driving a race car. I did it for over 40 years against the likes of Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt, Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart for wins and championships and it was intense as hell. I don’t want to do it.”

Mark Martin is now 66 and retired. He never won a championship, but did end up second in the championship points 5 times. His last race was the Ford EcoBoost 400 in Miami on 17 November 2013.

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Edited by Tushhita Barua