Mark Martin 1989 Stroh's Light Rockingham 10/22/89 First Cup Win 1:24 Nascar Diecast

After years of trying to make it in the NASCAR Cup Series®, Mark Martin raced to his first victory on October 22, 1989, in Rockingham, North Carolina. It was his second season driving for Roush Racing – a fledgling NASCAR® team he was helping owner Jack Roush develop.

“It had been such a difficult journey to finally get that first win,” Martin said. “It felt more like a relief than anything else. It felt like my life’s mission was fulfilled.”

Martin’s victory came in the first front steer car the Roush team ever built and, in a chassis so famous, it earned its own t-shirt – JR10.