Mark Martin led 26 of the final 27 laps before being overtaken by Kevin Harvick at the finish line of the Feb. 20, 2007 Daytona 500 at Daytona Beach, Fla. Harvick's margin of victory was 0.020 seconds. Mr. Martin and the No. 8 U.S. Army Team are now...

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Army News Service, Jan. 8, 2008) -- NASCAR driver Mark Martin and the No. 8 U.S. Army Team spent Jan. 7 getting acquainted, while testing the high-banked 2.5-mile tri-oval of Daytona International Speedway.

"We had a great day," said Mr. Martin, 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."

Mr. 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," Mr. 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."

Mr. 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 Mr. 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