"I never had their ears like Dale Sr. had" - When Mark Martin shared strong opinion on whether his voice matters to NASCAR

Last year, Former NASCAR driver Mark Martin talked about his role in NASCAR and the changes in the sport with the Next Gen car.

During a conversation with Kenny Wallace in May 2023, Martin discussed his influence in NASCAR. He acknowledged that his opinions matter to fans but it lacks the same impact on NASCAR officials as someone like Dale Earnhardt Sr.

"It matters to fans. It doesn't matter to the important people. It doesn't matter that much to NASCAR. I've never had NASCAR's ear like Dale Sr. had. You know, and I've never been a political guy, but, you know, it is what it is. That car is what it is, and we should just make the most of it going forward," Martin said (02:08 onwards).

Martin raced alongside seven-time NASCAR Cup champion, Dale Earnhardt in the 1980s. He won 40 races and finished second in the final standings five times in the Cup Series during his 31-year career in the series but never won a Championship.

Martin retired after his full-time season with Hendrick Motorsports in 2011 and later took on consulting roles with other teams in NASCAR. He has 96 wins across the three top NASCAR series and was named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998.

The 65-year-old now runs a car dealership and a power sports business.

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"I don't like it. I would hate it": Mark Martin on Next Gen cars in NASCAR

In the same conversation with Kenny Wallace, Mark Martin also shared his opinion on NASCAR's Next Gen car, which debuted in 2022. The car was built to improve aerodynamics, lower costs and bring in new manufacturers.

Martin pointed out that the Next Gen car has produced some of the closest finishes and best races in NASCAR.

"I've seen the best racing in NASCAR history since that car's come out. Best racing on track in history. The best in history," Martin said (00:46).

However, he also mentioned the criticism it had received from many drivers and said that the design is good but should be improved.

"The other side of it is, I don't like it. I would hate it. I would hate to be driving now. The guys hate working on them, and they ain't saved no money yet, so I'm not a lover of the car. It looks like a sports car underneath, you know, it doesn't look like a NASCAR car... The concept was solid. The concept of the car was solid, uh, and the damn competition is unbelievable. So it is here, it's here to stay," he added.

The Next-Gen car includes parts from one supplier and some believe its 670 horsepower is too low.