For Allison, only title was a long time in the making (cont'd)

Instead of squeaking out a single win, he has won five times and captured a career-high seven poles heading into Sunday's Ford 400 at Homestead. But Allison said he isn't buying what Martin is selling when Martin insists he does not care about points or winning a championship.

"No. He wants to be a champion. This is what turns on every one of us who sits down in one of these [race cars]," Allison said. "That's what turns us on -- the idea of winning races and winning the big race. The championship is the race of the season, and he certainly wants that. But he's got to keep that in some kind of [emotional] range where he can deal with it, in case he has to wait another year to have another shot at it -- so that's probably why he says what he says.

"But he's done an incredible job. You guys [in the media] can put so much pressure on us poor, little racer guys. But he's done a real good job of handling that."

Allison said he used to live in fear that he would have to retire before ever winning a championship. He said he didn't want to be remembered as the best driver to never win one.

"I was worried about that, sure. I got so close so many times," Allison said. "Really, to finally get the championship, I kind of sold my soul -- because I ended up in a deal with [car owner] Bill Gardner where I didn't get paid."

Allison later clarified that he wasn't paid all that he believes he was supposed to be paid, according to the deal he had with Gardner.

"That made it [winning the championship] a little bittersweet. But I've still got the trophy, and I guess that's what matters most," said Allison, who was two weeks shy of 46 when the 1983 season ended.

Martin, 50, insists that he doesn't belong in the same sentence with Allison and others when the subject of the best drivers in NASCAR history comes up. He has 40 career victories, which places him 16th on the all-time list, and his 48 poles are ninth-most all time, only one behind Bobby Issac.

"My record does not stand up against the greats in this business," Martin insisted.

Again, Allison -- who won either 84 or 85 races depending whether you believe him and others who insist NASCAR never gave him credit for an early win in his career -- said that Martin is full of bunk. He said of course Martin belongs in the conversation when the greatest drivers of all time are discussed.

• Video: Martin discusses greatest drivers talk

"I put him way up there. Now he hasn't won a championship yet. It could happen this weekend. And it could happen next year, if it doesn't happen this week. Certainly it would be a big jewel in his crown if he could do it," Allison said.

"Mark is a really good driver. He's fast, he's crafty. He's got a lot of enthusiasm -- but he's also got the staying ability and stamina to stay in there and run hard, especially in these long races. I give him a lot of credit."

Allison also helped get him started in the business. And for that, Martin gives Allison credit.

"It's been my understanding for 20 years that he recommended to Jack Roush that he hire me to drive his car, so I owe a little part of what I'm doing today to B.A. I thank him for that," Martin said.

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• Allison's career has endured throughout the years | Store: Allison gear!

Joe Menzer is the author of "The Great American Gamble: How the 1979 Daytona 500 Gave Birth to a NASCAR Nation." Click here to purchase.