Sterling Marlin won at Las Vegas in 2002. Credit: Chris Stanford/Getty Images

Marlin looking for win, contract extension

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- It's no secret in the garage area that Sterling Marlin needs results to get a contract extension at Chip Ganassi Racing.

Marlin said Saturday getting a deal done is one of his top priorities.

	Sterling effort Sterling Marlin's record at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Year Start Finish 1998 21 24 1999 33 15 2000 30 18 2001 8 3 2002 24 1 2003 34 8 2004 23 18 Avg. 24.7 12.4

"I'd like to get something worked out by May or June," Marlin said at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, site of his last Nextel Cup victory, in March 2002. "A few people have walked up and asked me when my deal's up with Chip, but I like where I'm at.

"If I can stay here, I'll stay here."

A win Sunday in the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 would be a good starting point for making a deal happen. Marlin was on top of his game back in 2002, when he kicked the season off with a pair of wins in March and led the points standings for 25 consecutive weeks.

But he broke his neck in a September accident and missed the final two months of the season. He's since gone 98 races without a victory.

"Winning helps everything," he said. "We know we've got a team that's capable of winning in this series. If we can get a break here and there, and not lose ground in the pits, we can win.

"There's no doubt in my mind I can still get the job done. We've just got to get everything working right and go out and do it."