Sterling Marlin

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Sterling Burton Marlin is an ex-professional stock car racing driver from Columbia, Tennessee. Marlin has previously competed in the NASCAR Cup Series and All-Stars Tour. Marlin is a second-generation driver in the NASCAR Cup Series. He got active recently to work for the preservation of the Fairgrounds Speedway racetrack. Marlin was unable to win the NASCAR Cup Series title. However, he placed third in the championship in 1995 and 2001. Marlin ran a part-time schedule in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

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Sterling Marlin retired from NASCAR racing in 2009. He drove the no.9 Dodge of Phoenix Racing for a limited no. of races in the 2009 season. Marlin was known for performing with many popular teams during his career. He drove for Hagan Racing, Junior Johnson and Associates, Chip Ganassi Racing, etc. Sterling Marlin was added to the list of the 75 Greatest Drivers of NASCAR in 2023 owing to his legacy in NASCAR.

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Sterling Marlin's Early Life

Marlin used to be the school captain of the basketball and football teams in his school, Spring Hill High School. He made his debut in NASCAR in 1976 at the Nashville Speedway. Marlin was filling in for his injured father, in the No. 14 H.B. Cunningham Chevrolet. Marlin ran many more races in the Cup Series with a highest finish of 7th. Marlin came in 7th at the Nashville Speedway in 1979 racing for D.K. Ulrich.

Marlin became the track champion at the historical Nashville Speedway USA from 1980-1982.

Sterling Marlin's Personal Life

Sterling Marlin worked with other racers like Chad Chaffin, Mike Alexander, and several other businessmen to form the Tennessee Racing Association, LLC in 2011. He worked for the restoration of the Nashville Speedway to keep the track active in the racing community. Marlin announced in 2012 that he was suffering from Parkinsonism. He underwent deep brain stimulation surgical procedures at Vanderbilt University Medical Center as part of his treatment.

Marlin also appeared on the television show, Family Feud in 2003. He played against team members from Coors, Elliott Sadler, and the No. 38 Robert Yates Racing team. Marlin won the game.

Sterling Marlin’s Family Background

Sterling Marlin was born to Eula Faye and ex-NASCAR driver Coo Coo Marlin. There is no information available about his mother. Clifton Burton, Coo Coo, Marlin was a driver in the NASCAR Cup Series for 14 years. He participated in 165 races achieving 51 top-10s in the sport. Marlin, however, was unable to win any race or the championship.

Sterling Marlin’s Wife

Sterling Marlin has been married to Paula Marlin for 46 years since 1978. The couple have two children together and their grandchild, Stirlin, races in the Super Late Model series.

Sterling Marlin’s Kids

Sterling and Paula Marlin have two children together. They have a daughter, Sutherlin, and a son, Steadman, a former Xfinity Series racer.

Sterling Marlin's Net Worth

Sterling Marlin’s net worth as of September 2024 is $40 million according to Celebrity Net Worth. Marlin has earned more than $35 million in race winnings throughout his career according to Spotrac and Celebrity Net Worth. The driver’s primary source of income was his earnings from race winnings and sponsorship deals. Sterling Marlin also won the Daytona 500 race twice during his career. The Daytona 500 is known for having the largest prize pool in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Sterling Marlin Brand Ambassador

There are no official sources about Sterling Marlin’s sponsorship and endorsement deals. However, Spotrac has a list of his primary sponsors during races throughout the years-

• Piedmont Airlines

• Sunoco

• Maxwell House

• Raybestos Brakes

• Kodak Film

• Coors Light Beer

• Smirnoff Ice

• Navy “Accelerate Your Life”

• Arbor Mortgage

• Dodge Dealers

• UPS

• GM Goodwrench

• Irwin Industrial Tools

• Alltel

• Lowe’s

• Caterpillar

• Home Depot

• Carquest

• GMAC

• Sharpie Retractable

• Post-it

• Tide Coldwater

• Motorcraft Quality Parts

• Ginn Club and Resorts

• Waste Management

• Miccosukee Resorts

• Pep Boys Auto

• Wiley X

• Panasonic

• Wii Fit

• Phoenix Racing

Sterling Marlin Investments

After he retired from the Cup Series, Sterling Marlin owned vehicle dealerships for Chevrolet and Dodge. He also has his own racing team in the Super Late Model Series.

Sterling Marlin Career Stats

Sterling Marlin raced in the NASCAR Cup Series for 33 years. He started 748 races during this time with a best finish of third in the drivers championship. Marlin also participated in 77 Xfinity Series races over 17 years.

Sterling Marlin Race Wins/Podium Finishes

Sterling Marlin has claimed 10 victories in the NASCAR Cup Series alongside 216 podiums. Marlin won the Daytona 500 consecutively from 1994 and 1995. He also won the 1996 Winston 500 races. Marlin has won two races in the Xfinity Series with 22 top-10s.

Sterling Marlin Teams Raced For

Sterling Marlin retired from racing in 2009. He raced for Hagan Racing during his initial years in the sport from 1987 to 1990. He switched to Junior Johnson and Associates in 1991 and 1992. Marlin stayed at Stavola-Brothers Racing for the 1993 season. He spent another four years at Morgan-McClure Motorsports. He continued racing in the Cup Series for Team SABCO until the 2000 season. Marlin spent the final full-time seasons of his career at Chip Ganassi Racing and MB2 Motorsports.

Sterling Marlin Awards

• 1983 Winston Cup Series Rookie of the Year

• 1995, 1996 Tennessee Professional Athlete of the Year

• 2002 Tennessee Professional Athlete of the Year Nominee

• Fairgrounds Speedway Hall of Fame (2009)