Mark Martin's team was back to work Saturday after an incident with Kevin Harvick during final practice. Credit: Autostock

Harvick almost spoils Martin's day -- again

Incident during final practice renews budding feud

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Hours of hard labor got Mark Martin's car back in shape to race in the Daytona 500. Then Kevin Harvick smacked the side of it during Saturday's final practice and it was back to work again.

	On the Mark? Mark Martin's record in the Daytona 500 Year Start Finish 1982 26 30 1983 12 28 1986 24 37 1988 38 41 1989 5 33 1990 7 21 1991 18 21 1992 5 29 1993 23 6 1994 7 13 1995 6 3 1996 15 4 1997 11 7 1998 15 38 1999 9 31 2000 9 5 2001 22 33 2002 39 6 *2003 26 5 2004 8 43 Avg. 16 22 * -- Rain-shortened event

"I don't know what his problem is," crew chief Pat Tryson said as he pointed out the fresh paint scrapes on the right front fender. "But we'll get it fixed. We're probably at 90 percent right now, we've got some more work to do and we'll be ready for tomorrow."

Martin believed he had a solid shot to win the Daytona 500 on Sunday, his final chance before he retires from full-time competition at the end of the year. But the No. 6 Ford was damaged in Thursday's qualifying race in a wreck that Harvick caused.

Martin was livid afterward, saying his backup car had no shot at winning.

His crew used all day Friday to work on fixing the primary car, and NASCAR opened the garage to them an hour early Saturday to finish the job.

With the work complete, Martin posted the 11th fastest time in Saturday's final practice session before contact from Harvick caused more damage.

Still, Martin said he was feeling better about his chances. His mood has changed dramatically since his victory in Friday night's IROC race made him the all-time wins leader in that series.

"Last night got me over my frustrations (of the accident)," Martin said. "I had 100 percent confidence in the team. They said they were going to fix it and that meant it would be right."