Each week, CBS SportsLine will feature a One On One Q&A with a sports star or entertainment celebrity. The questions might seem unusual, but the answers are guaranteed to be insightful. If you missed a feature, check out the One On One Archive.
Mark Martin
By Allyson Turner
1981 was the year that Martin started running the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. In 1982 he was runner-up to Geoff Bodine in the '82 Winston Cup Rookie of the Year balloting. In 1997 he finished third in the Winston Cup standings. Currently racing the No. 6 Valvoline Ford, Martin is in second place in the Winston Cup points race with 3,350. His prize money ($2,443,460) and victories (5) trail only Jeff Gordon's 3,350 points, eight victories and $3,927,007 in prize money.
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Mark Martin would like nothing more than to win a Winston Cup championship. (Allsport)
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What in your life are you most grateful for?
My family and my success doing something I really enjoy.
If you're talking to someone who has something between their teeth, what do you do?
Ignore it.
If your life were a feature film, would it be a comedy, drama or action?
It would be an action and a drama. The racing part would be action and what it took to get there would be drama.
What is your favorite place in the world?
My house.
If your car hit a parked car and you were sure no one was watching, what would you do?
I'd leave a note. I can't help being honest.
What is your pet peeve?
Disorganized people.
It's your last meal. Where and what do you eat?
A cheeseburger and french fries. It's my favorite but I eat pretty healthy so I don't eat that very much.
Is there something you had a chance to do in your life but didn't and wish you had?
I think I've done everything life has offered me.
What do you like best about your life?
The best part is winning races.
What do you like least about your life?
The least favorite is the time I have to spend away from my family.
What is a perfect day?
A day at home with no obligations to do anything. Just lay on the couch and watch a race.
If I were to push "play" on your CD player, what would be playing?
Right now it would be something like Jewel or Fiona Apple.
Who makes you laugh?
My son, Matt, who is six years old.
If you have to fly across country, who would you like to sit next to?
My wife.
If you could make $10 million and not win a championship or have your salary cut in half with a championship, which would you take?
I've been trying to win a Winston Cup championship for 10 years and that is what I want.
Is there something about yourself that you would like to change?
To allow myself to have more fun and enjoy life.