Marlin still sore from Richmond accident

DOVER, Del. -- Sterling Marlin has almost completely healed from injuries suffered during a head-on impact with the wall two weeks ago at Richmond International Raceway, crew chief Tony Glover said Saturday.

"Sterling is still a little sore from that Richmond crash. He's almost back to 100 percent," Glover said. "He took a real hard shot. We lost a tremendous amount of points in that race, but you know what, having him back is the only thing that matters to us."

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Marlin was injured on the 10th lap of the Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400. Jeff Burton was heading into Turn 3 and suddenly spun, backing the No. 99 Ford hard into the outside retaining wall.

Upon impact, Burton slid back down the track surface -- right in front of Chip Ganassi Racing teammates Marlin and Jimmy Spencer.

Unable to elude Spencer's Dodge, Marlin slammed headfirst into the outside wall, rendering his Coors Light Dodge immobile and badly bruising his sternum. Though sore, he hasn't missed a start.

"You can get points each week and you can get points another year," Glover said. "But having him back to drive that car is all we wanted."

Marlin trails Mark Martin by six points in the championship points race heading into Sunday's MBNA All American Heroes 400 at Dover.