You might want to hop on Twitter and wish Happy Birthday wishes to longtime NASCAR star Mark Martin, who turns 57 today.
After a nearly 40-year career (including more than 30 years in NASCAR), Martin retired from racing at the end of the 2013 Sprint Cup season.
He left a great racing legacy including 40 career Sprint Cup wins. While he never won a Cup championship, Martin came close by finishing runner-up five different times.
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Thanks to everyone. RT @NASCAR: 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
— Mark Martin (@markmartin) January 9, 2016
Happy birthday, @markmartin! pic.twitter.com/RreuhNkeKF
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And click on the link to wife Arlene’s Instagram account in the following tweet. The photo of a young Mark is priceless!
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Awe thanks 😃 #2A RT @ArleneMartin: Happy 57th Birthday @markmartin
— Mark Martin (@markmartin) January 9, 2016
🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂 https://t.co/CJnWDLej0W
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These days, Martin is retired -- but in name only. He and his wife of 32 years, Arlene, have moved back to Martin’s boyhood hometown, Batesville, Arkansas, where he’s begun a new chapter in his career, opening Mark Martin Powersports, which sells boats, motorcycles, ATVs and UTVs. He also owns several auto dealerships.
Although he hasn’t attended a NASCAR race since he stopped racing, Martin still likes to go to dirt track races on occasion around Arkansas.
He still follows NASCAR as a fan and engages regularly with fans on Twitter. While he admits he’s not as much of a fitness fanatic as he was during his driving career, he still is a big fan of rap music, with his favorite being Gucci Mane.
To honor Mark’s special day, we’ve included some photos of the last few years of his NASCAR career, including his last wins in the Sprint Cup Series (New Hampshire, 2009) and Xfinity Series (Las Vegas, 2011).
Happy Birthday, Mark!
RICHMOND, VA - SEPTEMBER 06: Mark Martin, driver of the #14 Bass Pro Shops / Mobil 1 Chevrolet, looks on from the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway on September 6, 2013 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
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LOUDON, NH - SEPTEMBER 20: Mark Martin, driver of the #14 Mobil 1 / Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet, stands by his car during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 20, 2013 in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
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DOVER, DE - SEPTEMBER 27: Mark Martin, driver of the #14 Mobil 1 / Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet, leans on his car on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway on September 27, 2013 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
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HOMESTEAD, FL - NOVEMBER 15: Danica Patrick, driver of the #10 GoDaddy - Its Go Time Chevrolet, speaks with Mark Martin, driver of the #14 Bass Pro Shops / Mobil 1 Chevrolet, on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 15, 2013 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)
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HOMESTEAD, FL - NOVEMBER 16: Mark Martin, driver of the #14 Bass Pro Shops / Mobil 1 Chevrolet, prepares to drive during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 16, 2013 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images)
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