Robin Pemberton has been a veteran crew chief for NASCAR superstars. They included a trio of NASCAR Hall of Famers, Richard Petty, Mark Martin, and Rusty Wallace. From seeing through fine-riddled Petty\u2019s 198th win at Charlotte in 1983, to grooming Kyle Petty in his best Cup seasons of 1992 and 1993, Pemberton\u2019s contributions have been immense. However, what still stands out in his mind is the 1990 season. Martin won the second race of the season at Richmond Raceway. But due to Dale Earnhardt pointing out an illegal carburetor, Martin got a 46-point penalty and a $40,000 fine. Eventually, Martin and his Roush Fenway team would finish runner-up to Earnhardt that season.<\/p>\n
Despite the eventual loss, Robin Pemberton, who worked in the pit crew of Mark Martin, fondly remembers one race. That was the Holly Farms 400 at North Wilkesboro Speedway, where Martin defeated Dale Earnhardt Sr. Pemberton recalled that race in a recent Dale Jr Download episode:<\/a> \u201cI miss Wilkesboro and old school things. We had some good races down there. We kicked your dad\u2019s ass one day with Mark. We did it, and it was a total team effort.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n via Imago<\/p>\n 2006 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Ford 200, Mark Martin celebrates winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Ford 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Florida on November 17, 2006<\/p>\n Dale Earnhardt Sr.<\/a> won five races in North Wilkesboro between 1986 and 1995. It felt amazing to steal a win from amidst that streak, as Robin Pemberton described the 1990 race with Mark Martin: \u201cI\u2019m watching the race sitting on the hood of somebody\u2019s car\u2026I say, \u2018He\u2019s got too much wheel in it. He\u2019s too tight\u2026So he (Steve Hmiel) told Mark, \u2018Alright\u2026next pit stop, I\u2019m gonna pull that half rubber out of the right front.\u2019 \u2018Yeah, no, don\u2019t take the time, I don\u2019t wanna lose a spot\u2019\u2026I was the front tire changer. So anyways, we pulled it\u2026That thing just took off; it was a good team effort.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Robin Pemberton topped off this walk down memory lane with a salute to Mark Martin<\/a>. The Hall of Famer concluded his racing career back in 2013 with 40 Cup Series wins, 5 IROC Championships, and 4 ASA titles. Pemberton reflected on his skills: \u201cHe was the guy, you\u2019d pass his a\u2013\u2026and 20 laps later, he\u2019s passing you \u2019cause he\u2019s got tires left, right? And drives off into the sunset. He understood what 90% was.\u201d<\/p>\n While Pemberton cherished the days of beating Dale Earnhardt, he also recalled another incident. This time, he watched a controversy from outside the racetrack.<\/p>\n ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n![\"article-image\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/imago688110884.jpg\")
<\/p>\n