Sadler Racing saddles-up with Steadman Marlin

TOLEDO, OHIO, 2-28-01 - With the new 1.33-mile concrete Nashville Superspeedway next up on the ARCA RE/MAX Series horizon, Nashville, Tennessee-based Sadler Racing has tapped the services of fellow Tennessean and third generation driver Steadman Marlin to drive their Shoney's Inn Ford Taurus for the inaugural PFG Lester ARCA 150 on April 13 at Nashville Superspeedway.

But it won't be the first time a Marlin has suited up in a Sadler entry. Earl Sadler, who along with his son Check, formed Sadler Racing in 1984 and hired none other than Marlin's now-famous father Sterling Marlin to compete in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. Since that time, the Sadler's have been instrumental in the driving careers of several drivers including the late Davey Allison, Michael Waltrip, Jeremy Mayfield, Jeff Green, Gary Bradberry, Bob Schacht, Bobby Hamilton Jr. and David Keith to name a few.

"We've worked with a lot of great drivers over the years," said (Check) Sadler. "We helped introduce Sterling (Marlin) to NASCAR Winston Cup competition, so it's kind of special for us to help out his son Steadman. We're all from Tennessee so the new track here seemed like the perfect time to introduce Steadman to our team. Fortunately, Ronnie Smith will continue to crew chief the car. We plan on running some of the speedways with the possibility of doing more but that depends on sponsorship. But I can assure you, we're all real excited. We've watched Steadman come along, and we think he's got what it takes."

The younger Marlin, whose father won the Daytona 500 in '94 and '95, will join an elite group of third generation drivers including the late Adam Petty, Justin Labonte, Kerry Earnhardt and Jason Jarrett who have steered towards the RE/MAX Series as a stepping stone to NASCAR's big leagues.

"It's the perfect opportunity for me to learn about the next level of racing," said (Steadman) Marlin. "Sadler Racing always brings great equipment and the ARCA RE/MAX Series provides plenty of stiff competition, so it should be the perfect setting for me to grow as a driver. It's especially nice to debut with Sadler Racing here at the new Nashville Superspeedway. We're from Columbia, Tennessee, so this is as hometown as it gets for the Marlins. The Sadler's have worked with a lot of great drivers through the years, and I'm proud to be the guy lucky enough to get the next call."

Marlin will take over the driving duties of the #95 Shoney's Inn Sadler Racing Ford from David Keith who has recently vacated the ride after being hired by Ted Campbell to drive the CLR Ford in RE/MAX Series competition. Keith had a great deal of success with Sadler Racing on the RE/MAX Series tour having won the Daytona ARCA 200 and the Winn-Dixie 300 at Talladega Superspeedway in 2000.

Marlin has been a fixture at Nashville Speedway USA in NASCAR Winston Racing Series late model competition since 1997 with two wins and six poles to his credit.

-ARCA-