MARLIN

After 732 starts, 10 victories and more than $42 million in earnings in the sport's top circuit, NASCAR veteran Sterling Marlin has cut back to a limited Cup and Nationwide Series schedule this year in cars owned by Florida businessman James Finch. But there seems to be no limit to the fun Marlin's having off the track.

NASCAR's last good ol' boy has gone back to the farm. The 50-year-old Tennessee native is spending most of his time back home in Carter's Creek, a community near Columbia, Tenn., where his family has lived and farmed for generations.

"I've been doing a little farming and buying and selling some real estate," Marlin said. "I went to Savannah [Ga.] for St. Paddy's Day. That was a nice little town, good vacation."

He said he's set to run about eight races this year, which he says is about the right number for him. He's not really interested in a full-time ride, and he has declined an offer or two to race in the Craftsman Truck Series.

There have been adjustments to make after years of racing every weekend.

"On Thursdays, it's different," he said. "That's the day you're used to getting up and going off for the weekend."

Marlin, who ran his first Cup race on the old fairgrounds track at Nashville in 1976, has raced just once this year, in a Nationwide Series race at the city's current track, Nashville Superspeedway. He failed to qualify for the seasonopening Daytona 500, but he said he didn't feel a bit rusty when he climbed behind the wheel last month at Nashville.

"You just jump in and go right along," he said.

He said he keeps up with the NASCAR circuit, mostly through his longtime friend, fellow Tennessean and former crew chief, Tony Glover, who is a team manager for Chip Ganassi's NASCAR teams.

"I call ol' Glov and check him out every now and then," Marlin said.

But he said he's not much for watching the races on television.

"If I walk through the house and the race is on TV, I'll stop and see who's leading and who's doing what," he said. "But as far as watching a whole race, I'm not much of an inside guy. I'd rather be outside doing something."