Martin, Hornaday proof age just number even as racers

1. Mark Martin is leading the Sprint Cup championship race. Ron Hornaday is the class of the Camping World Truck circuit. Is 50 the new 30?

David Caraviello: Well, I wouldn't go that far, but what those two guys have done this year clearly speaks for itself. Martin winning the title at 50 would be a feat akin to Jack Nicklaus winning the 1986 Masters at 46. It's the kind of thing that just isn't supposed to happen in this day and age, and yet, it could happen.

Dave Rodman: Nothing is any different than it's ever been. Combinations are king -- and Martin/Alan Gustafson and Hornaday/Rick Ren are formidable. But for all we know -- and we know Greg Zipadelli's talents -- Joey Logano could win five races and threaten to win a title next season. Then, everyone would be looking for the next 13-year-old phenom again!

Joe Menzer: Man, I sure hope so. I'm pushing it. Now Roadman, he's hoping 60 is the new 30 -- but that would be a little much. I do think, however, that these two gentlemen -- Martin and Hornaday, not me and Roadman  are exceptions to the general rule.

David Caraviello: Dave, yes, it is combinations. But really, older drivers have been given short shrift in recent years. The Trucks are something of an exception, given that's a series where older guys have been dominant for a while. But in Cup? Isn't this a series for 20-somethings? Isn't everybody looking for the next Kasey Kahne? Maybe Martin, with what he's done this year, changes that. This isn't to say we're going to have team owners suddenly beating the bushes looking for 50-year-olds to fill seats. But this sport is follow-the-leader in more ways than one. There are a lot of talented older drivers out there who never got a shot because everyone was looking for a young guy. Who knows, maybe Martin's success will open a door for somebody.

Mark Martin (age 50)

2009 Cup Stats

	No.	Rank
Wins	5	1
Top-5s	10	T-3
Top-10s	15	T-4
Poles	6	T-1
Led	775	4

Ron Hornaday (age 51)

2009 Truck Stats

	No.	Rank
Wins	6	1
Top-5s	12	1
Top-10s	15	T-1
Poles	4	1
Led	967	1

Joe Menzer: It really is interesting how perceptions change dramatically through the years. I remember once talking with Ned Jarrett about how drivers of that era truly believed their reflexes would not allow them to be competitive much past their early to mid-30s. Which is about when he retired. He later regretted retiring so early.

Dave Rodman: The problem with most people when they get to be "of an age" -- and Joe, you and I are definitely excluded from this castigation -- is that they can't adjust, they can't adapt. So they end up retired -- or out to lunch.

Joe Menzer: As much as anything, that's probably the true impact of what Martin is doing in the Cup Series. He's still helping change those earlier perceptions, moving the bar for how long a guy can remain competitive ever higher. But now the question on the other side of the coin has changed, too. Let's take a guy like Jeff Gordon, who is 38 and has indicated he's not so sure he'll race much past 40. He's had the back issues, but more than that it's just the grind of doing this week after week. Even Martin, who loves racing, had to take essentially a two-year break from the every-race grind before he got this ride and put together this magical season.

David Caraviello: That's true, Joe. Not every driver gets to hit "refresh" on his career like Martin did. Not every driver is in Hendrick equipment, either. I mean, look at a guy like Bobby Labonte, who is younger than Martin, and what he did with the No. 71 last week. Not to take anything away from Mark, but I think there are a few other guys out there who could succeed as Martin has given the same combination of factors.

Dave Rodman: But I'll tell you this -- as in a lot of other things and ways, age and experience are in no way a magic bullet. In relative terms, Alan Gustafson is a young crew chief, with a 21st-century engineering background seasoned with plenty of hands-on, grass-roots racing experience. Again, a phenomenal, but rare combination. It's like that classic stew. You can have a recipe, but who hasn't cooked something delectable, thrown in the recipe's amount and then wrinkled their nose and sprinkled, dashed -- or flat poured in -- some more of that key ingredient. Kind of like whipping up a race team, in a way. At least a delectably successful one.

Joe Menzer: What in the heck are you talking about? And who are you? Emeril? What have you done with Dave Rodman?

Dave Rodman: He's out there Smacking -- his lips!

Joe Menzer: Now that's something that isn't debatable.

David Caraviello: Given Dave's constant proximity to food, I wouldn't doubt that a bit.

Dave Rodman: But seriously, as we pointed out, the equipment has a lot to do with it. The team that's assembled is critical. But these guys, in their own unique ways, have tuned themselves to achieve what they're getting right now. And it's awesome to see them rewarded. (Continued)