No. 8 Army team prepares for 2008 NASCAR racing season

NASCAR driver Mark Martin and the No. 8 U.S. Army Team spent Monday getting acquainted, while testing the high-banked 2.5-mile tri-oval of Daytona International Speedway.

"We had a great day," Martin said, after a second session of testing. "I'm excited about working with Tony Gibson (crew chief) and this No. 8 U.S. Army Team. The transition today was virtually seamless. This team is a charged up group of guys with a great, can-do type of attitude. I had a great first day with the No. 8 team."

Martin and the No. 8 U.S. Army Team are preparing for next month's 50th running of the famed Daytona 500. The driver said he believes the prospects for the race are good.

"Everyone knows that we came up just inches short last season of winning the Daytona 500, and thanks to the U.S. Army and everyone at Dale Earnhardt Inc., I feel we have another shot at the Daytona 500 this season," Martin said. "This team has had huge success in restrictor-plate racing
in that No. 8 car. The team has given me something today that has brought some new things to the table, and hopefully if I can bring a few things to the table, we can be a contender."

Martin took time to announce his 26-race Sprint Cup schedule for 2008, beginning with his record-extending 20th consecutive start in the Budweiser Shootout on Feb. 9.

Highlights of Martin's 2008 schedule include the 50th running of the Daytona 500, the Coca-Cola 600, Brickyard 400 and the Sprint Cup All-Star event.

"Those guys on this team really had some fast cars a year ago, and we are looking to build on that. Our goal is to be competitive and race up front this season," said Martin, who will enter his 26th year of Cup racing. "It's an incredible honor to drive the No. 8 car for DEI and we are excited about moving into the season."

Mark Martin's 2008 Sprint Cup Schedule
Feb. 9 -- Budweiser Shootout/Daytona International Speedway
Feb. 17 -- Daytona 500
Feb. 24 -- California Speedway
Mar. 2 -- Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Mar. 9 -- Atlanta Motor Speedway
Apr. 6 -- Texas Motor Speedway
Apr. 12 -- Phoenix International Raceway
May 3 -- Richmond International Raceway
May 10 -- Darlington Raceway
May 17 -- Sprint All-Star Challenge (Lowe's)
May 25 -- Coca-Cola 600/Lowe's Motor Speedway
June 1 -- Dover International Raceway
June 8 -- Pocono Raceway
June 15 -- Michigan International Speedway
July 5 -- Daytona International Speedway
July 12 -- Chicagoland Speedway
July 27 -- Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Aug. 3 -- Pocono Raceway
Aug. 17 -- Michigan International Speedway
Sept. 6 -- Richmond International Raceway
Sept. 21 -- Dover International Raceway
Sept. 28 -- Kansas Speedway
Oct. 11 -- Lowe's Motor Speedway
Oct. 26 -- Atlanta Motor Speedway
Nov. 2 -- Texas Motor Speedway
Nov. 16 -- Homestead-Miami Speedway