Martin nearly broke career Pocono jinx in 1996 race

Mark Martin's disappointment at Daytona has been well-documented, but his record at Pocono Raceway may be even more perplexing. He's the all-time leader with 19 top-fives, including six runner-up finishes, but has never had the opportunity to visit Victory Lane there in 44 attempts.

1996 Miller 500

Results

Pos.	Driver	Make
1.	Rusty Wallace	Ford
2.	Ricky Rudd	Ford
3.	Dale Jarrett	Ford
4.	Ernie Irvan	Ford
5.	Johnny Benson	Pontiac
6.	Sterling Marlin	Chevrolet
7.	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet
8.	Lake Speed	Ford
9.	Mark Martin	Ford
10.	Derrike Cope	Ford

• Complete Results

In 1991, Martin started third and was able to avoid a huge multi-car accident touched off between Ernie Irvan and Hut Stricklin that heavily damaged the cars of Dale Earnhardt, Darrell Waltrip and Richard Petty, whose Pontiac was briefly launched into the air. Martin led 23 laps during the event, but when the rains came on Lap 179, it was Rusty Wallace who was the beneficiary.

One year later, Martin led 51 laps but was unable to chase down eventual winner Alan Kulwicki in the closing stages of the race. In 1998, a late-race caution bunched the field behind Jeff Gordon, but he pulled away from Martin on the final restart, winning by more than a second.

With a new decade came more second-place Pocono finishes for Martin. He wound up crossing the finish line behind Dale Jarrett in 2002, Tony Stewart in 2003 and Jimmie Johnson in 2004.

But Martin's best chance to win at Pocono might have come in the 1996 Miller 500. A four-car accident two laps in slowed the pace temporarily, but once racing resumed on Lap 6, the green stayed out for the next 400 miles. Martin, who had won the pole, showed that he had a dominant car right from the get-go.

He led the first 36 laps before giving up the top spot during a series of green-flag pit stops. He then took command for another 20 laps before having to pit again. Another round of pit stops shuffled the running order at the halfway mark, but once again Martin led the way when the pit cycle was complete. Dale Jarrett took over control of the lead briefly until Lap 120, handing it back to Martin. And when Martin pitted, it was Johnny Benson's turn in front for four laps, but by Lap 147, Martin was back in control and seemingly on his way to snapping his Pocono jinx. (Continued)