Sterling Marlin finished fourth and cracked the top 20 in the Nextel Cup standings. Credit: Autostock

Sunoco Pit Move of the Week: Martinsville

Passing on Martinsville's new surface was even more difficult than anyone imagined, so it was really no surprise that Sterling Marlin was able to retain track position on old tires.

Thanks to adjustments, Marlin's Dodge was one of the few cars that turned well in the corner, and that enabled him to finish fourth. He was one of two Ganassi cars in the top five.

Marlin pitted out of sequence during a yellow flag on Lap 322 of the Subway 500 to remove a spring rubber from his Dodge. He also took on his last four fresh tires of the day.

Marlin restarted 15th, but the strategy worked because the caution flew again only 33 laps later. As a result, Marlin was able to stay on the track while most of the leaders dove onto pit road.

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The race was the first since team manager Tony Glover moved to replace Lee McCall as Marlin's crew chief, and the switch paid off immediately, as Marlin was never out of the top five the rest of the way.

Marlin said the car was fine -- new tires or not.

"Tony Glover and the guys did a great job in the pits with all the calls, and I did all I could to bring it home in one piece," Marlin said. "We were really good when we were running out front today. I wish we hadn't had to come in at all."

In all, Marlin led 51 laps. It was his first top-five finish since his fourth-place run at Bristol in the spring.

Marlin is still searching for his first career short track win.

"I've been racing here a long time and I still have won (a short track event), but we're not giving up. We had a car that could have won today," Marlin said.