Fairgrounds Favorite Son
For many of us the Fairgrounds has been special during our lifetime. Sterling Marlin should have been born at the Fairgrounds. Coo Coo and Jack Marlin had long made a name for themselves in racing long before the birth of Sterling.
Sterling Marlin upon making his debut at the Fairgrounds competed with the toughest competition across the nation. He was part of the “Kiddie Corp” group of 1976. After the track sit idle for weekly racing in 1979, Marlin pursued the track championship for 1980 in the NASCAR Grand American Series. Three years later, three straight championships to show for his effort.
Had Sterling not left the Fairgrounds after 1983 many wonder what kind of records he could have set. His success at the Fairgrounds carried him to new avenues. The 1983 NASCAR Winston Cup Rookie of the Year. Driving for top notch teams during the years and of course the winning of back to back Daytona 500’s.
Sterling Marlin still has the ability and the determination to win. If the opportunity for him to drive a car from one of the top four teams of NASCAR today should develop, Marlin would be headed to victory lane.
Over the course of the years I have always admired and respected Sterling and the entire Marlin family. What I admire most about Sterling after this race season has nothing to do with his talent of driving.
If you looked around at all the meetings to support the future of the Fairgrounds this season, you would see Sterling in attendance. He came back and competed in the Late Model Stock Car division in 2008. That is why I say he deserves the title: “Fairgrounds Favorite Son.” It shows he truly cares about the people, the history and the track. Thanks Sterling for all of the support, the memories of years past and the future of memories to be added.
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