Martin's Father Killed in Plance Crash

Martin's father killed in Nevada plane crash

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (Aug. 10, 1998) Julian Martin, the father of NASCAR Winston Cup Series star Mark Martin, and his family were killed Saturday in a private plane crash in Ely, Nev.

Authorities confirmed Sunday night that Martin, his wife Shelly (not Mark Martin's mother) and daughter Sarah (not Martin's sister) were the only passengers of the aircraft.

According to White Pine (Nev.) County Sheriff Bernie Romero, the plane went down approximately 75 miles south of Ely, in the east central portion of the state, near the Utah border.

Romero said the crash is under investigation by the National Transportation and Safety Board.

Radio reports said that Martin was unaware of what had happened during Sunday's Bud at the Glen at Watkins Glen International. Martin finished second behind Jeff Gordon.

Julian Martin ran a business in Searcy, Ark. Mark Martin is a native of Batesville, Ark.

In a Monday press release from Roush Racing, the Martins request contributions, in lieu of flowers, be made to Motor Racing Outreach, Smith Tower, Suite 405, Concord Parkway South, Harrisburg, N.C., 28075, to the attention of Gwen Howard.

Source: NASCAR Online