When the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series visits Talladega Superspeedway the first weekend in May, Mark Martin will host his eighth annual fan appreciation event on May 5 at his Batesville, Ark. car dealership and museum.

Joining Martin at Saturday’s autograph session will be two-time Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip who’ll fly to Batesville after he qualifies the No. 55 Aaron’s Toyota at Talladega.

The daylong event (8 a.m. – 5 p.m. CDT) will include an Aaron’s display, Lucky Dog, Sirius Radio remote, race cars and souvenirs. Click here for directions: http://www.markmartinmuseum.com/directions.htm

Martin would like nothing more than to bring the race-winning trophy from this Sunday’s race at Kansas Speedway to the open house in May. After Saturday night’s third-place finish in Texas, the No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota driver is one of the favorites at Kansas where he won in 2005.

MARTIN ON FAN APPRECIATION DAY: “This is our eighth year doing it and it’s a blast. We get so busy racing and going places that sometimes you just run out of hours in the day. So we wanted to set aside a day just for the fans. Each year it’s gotten better and better. This year Michael Waltrip will join us. We’ll do autographs, question and answers, and just have a fun time. I’m proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish in 30 years in this sport, but I know I couldn’t have done much of this by myself. I had a lot of help and a lot of support over the years. This is just a small way to repay those who’ve supported me.”