Jarrett Would Love to Give Ford a Rare Championship

If Dale Jarrett has anything to do with it, this will finally be Ford’s year.

Jarrett, who drives a Taurus for Robert Yates Racing, leads the Winston Cup series by 240 points over fellow Ford driver Jeff Burton and appears ready to finally break through with his first title.

That would give the Dearborn, Mich., company only its third championship in NASCAR’s modern era--dating from 1972.

In that time, the only Ford drivers able to overcome Chevrolet’s dominance have been Bill Elliott, who won in 1988, and Alan Kulwicki, whose championship came in 1992, the year before he died in a plane crash.

Jarrett, a second-generation stock car star whose father, Ned, was a two-time series champion, is well aware of the historical significance of his title chase.

“It’s surprising that Ford has only won two championships since ’72 . . . with all of the good Ford teams we’ve had over the years,” Jarrett said. “Hopefully, that’s something that’s going to change this year.”

Besides the personal satisfaction he would have, Jarrett says he understands what a championship could do for his career.

“I think if a Ford driver could win right now he could pretty much have his way at Ford Motor Company for a while,” Jarrett said. “I think they would be indebted to a team that could do that.”

COVER BOYS: Jeremy Mayfield is one of four NASCAR drivers on covers of TV Guide this week.

Mayfield, 30, will be the featured driver for the magazine’s cover, which is dedicated to the “Rising Stars of NASCAR.” The other three drivers--Jeff Burton, Bobby Labonte and Dale Earnhardt Jr.--also appear on separate covers used regionally.

“They really did a great job with it,” Mayfield said. “It’s something to think that a magazine you see just about anywhere they sell magazines has my picture on the front of it. I think it just shows how far this sport has come.”

STILL HURTING: After a painful but successful weekend in New Hampshire, Mark Martin returned to his doctor Monday to make sure his injuries were healing.

Martin broke his left wrist, left knee and a rib in a crash on July 2 during practice at Daytona International Speedway. Surgery was performed on his knee last Wednesday before he left for New Hampshire.

The latest X-rays showed he’s getting better and should be healed in about seven weeks.

“I didn’t feel too bad after the race, but I am pretty stiff now,” he said.

Martin, an avid weightlifter, was scheduled to begin a light training program for his upper body. He will also use a stationary bike to help strengthen his left knee. A physical therapist in Daytona Beach, Fla., where Martin lives, will help him.

“After working out five days a week for the last 12 years, I am really anxious to start training again,” Martin said. “It drives me crazy not to be able to work out in the morning. I don’t want everything to turn to flab just because I’m a little sore.”

Martin was scheduled to test his Roush Racing Taurus this week at Indianapolis Motor Speedway before enjoying a much-needed weekend off at home before next Winston Cup event in Long Pond, Pa., on July 25.

“I don’t think the test will be a problem,” Martin said. “If I can finish sixth in a 300-mile race Sunday, the test should be much easier. By the time we get to Pocono, I know I will feel much better and be ready to race again.”

STAT OF THE WEEK: Bobby Labonte, who won the Pocono 500 on June 20, will be fighting history as well as the unique 2.5-mile tri-oval in next week’s Pennsylvania 500.

Since NASCAR began running two races a year at Pocono International Raceway in 1982, only three drivers have won both events in the same year--and none in the past 13 seasons: Bobby Allison (1982); Bill Elliott (1985); and the late Tim Richmond (1986).