Mark Martin Races to Phoenix Victory

It took 97 races, nearly four years and lot of decision-making but 50-year-old Mark Martin is back in NASCAR Sprint Cup victory lane.

Martin led the most laps of the Subway Fresh Fit 500k -- he also started from the pole position -- to win Saturday night's 312-miler at Phoenix International Raceway during his first season back as a full-time driver with Hendrick Motorsports.

Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson and Greg Biffle rounded out Top-5 of the afternoon-to-evening event.

"He makes dreams come true," said Martin in victory lane, talking about team owner Rick Hendrick before giving a nod to his wife. "Arlene, thanks for letting me come back."

The past four races have been exactly what Martin thought he could do when he signed with Hendrick during the summer of 2008 with four straight Top-10 finishes. The pole Martin won before Saturday night's race was his third of the 2009 season, but his finishes haven't been all roses.

In fact, a string of three finishes 31st or worse nearly left Martin on the outside of the Top-35 line that guarantees teams high enough in the point standings a spot in each race.

With the win, however, Martin jumped five spots in the season standings to 13th.

Tony Stewart was happy to see Martin back in victory lane, if only for the prospects of his own career.

"It makes this generation where everyone is supposed to retire a lot earlier make the longevity a lot more realistic now," said Stewart.

Numerous drivers and team members greeted Martin in victory lane, including his former Roush Fenway Racing teammates Jeff Burton and Matt Kenseth as well team owner Jack Roush.

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Drivers take turn one on lap one during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Subway Fresh Fit 500 auto race at Phoenix International Raceway Saturday, April 18, 2009 in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ken Sklute)

The green flag is lowered for the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Subway Fresh Fit 500 auto race at Phoenix International Raceway Saturday, April 18, 2009 in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ken Sklute)

AVONDALE, AZ - APRIL: Mark Martin, driver of the #5 CARQUEST/Kellogg's Chevrolet, leads Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on April 18, 2009 in Avondale, AZ. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Mark Martin;Tony Stewart

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AVONDALE, AZ - APRIL 18: Kasey Kahne, driver of the #9 Budweiser Dodge, races during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on April 18, 2009 in Avondale, AZ. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Kasey Kahne

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AVONDALE, AZ - APRIL 18: Mark Martin, driver of the #5 CARQUEST/Kellogg's Chevrolet, leads a group of cars during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on April 18, 2009 in Avondale, AZ. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Mark Martin

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AVONDALE, AZ - APRIL 18: Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet, leads a group of cars during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on April 18, 2009 in Avondale, AZ. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Tony Stewart

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AVONDALE, AZ - APRIL 18: Juan Pablo Montoya, driver of the #42 Target Chevrolet, pits during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on April 18, 2009 in Avondale, AZ. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Juan Pablo Montoya

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AVONDALE, AZ - APRIL 18: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, races during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on April 18, 2009 in Avondale, AZ. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Jimmie Johnson

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Drivers round turn three during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Subway Fresh Fit 500 auto race at Phoenix International Raceway Saturday, April 18, 2009 in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Jason Babyak)

AVONDALE, AZ - APRIL 18: Bobby Labonte, driver of the #96 Ask.com Ford, races during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on April 18, 2009 in Avondale, AZ. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Bobby Labonte

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A late caution waved when Casey Mears bumped Dale Earnhardt Jr. in turn 2 to spin the No. 88 into the wall -- the two exchanged bumps following the race with Earnhardt Jr. spinning Mears while coming back to pit road -- and left just a six lap shootout to solve things after the race leaders hit pit road for fresh tires.

Ryan Newman stayed on-track, leaving Martin in second place when the green flag waved. By the time the leaders reached turn two, Martin had dispatched of Newman and left Tony Stewart nearly five car lengths back. Martin stretched the lead to nearly one second on the final lap before grabbing the checkered flag.

The win was the 5th-straight for HMS at the Phoenix-area track.

Kyle Busch looked to be in contention for the race win until NASCAR nabbed the driver for speeding on pit road during the final caution. The penalty forced Busch to restart at the end of the pack after leaving the pits just behind Martin.

Point leader Jeff Gordon had his worst race of the season after tire rubs and pit road issues left him with a 25th-place finish.