We felt like when we went into last year we had a pretty good chance to win the championship from the previous year with the fall we put together. We've got the same everything now, so I think we can come back and be as strong this year.

Marlin ultimately finiSterling Marlind 18th in the final season points with eight top fives and ten top tens. For Darlington Marlin raced in his old #40 car and qualified 14th and also at the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in the #40 still in for the injured Dario Franchitti. He started 30th and finiSterling Marlind 29th after suffering oil pump failure early in the race.

Sterling Marlin (born June 30 1957) is a retired NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver. He is married to Paula and has a daughter Sutherlin and a son Steadman a former Nationwide Series driver.