Galliano’s Hal Martin is chasing a starting spot in NASCAR

Hal Martin doesn’t drive the speed limit. In fact, the Galliano native reaches speeds that can surpass 130 miles per hour.

When he decides to drive fast, however, he’s not on the highway or interstate; he speeds on one of the four circular asphalt tracks he has been racing on for the last two years.

A full-time University of New Orleans student majoring in mechanical engineering, Martin, 22, is quick to tell people that it’s not his passion. Instead, he dreams of being a stock car racer on the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) circuit.

If things keep going the way they have, Martin could reach the finish line sooner than anticipated.

For now, Galliano’s race track star competes regionally in the Pro-Late model category. Because Louisiana doesn’t have an asphalt track, Martin and his crew travel to races in Texas, Florida, Alabama and Georgia.

Although the drive to the events can be long, once the adrenaline’s pumping, Martin says it is something he is willing to do to pursue the sport he loves.

“One of our biggest hinders is to have to drive to the racetracks,” he said. “We do it with great pleasure because we enjoy it so much.”

Competitiveness is the driving force that leads this Tri-parish man to race.

“I love just getting on the track and knowing that there are 20 or so men and women that all have the same goal: to win a race,” he said. “For me, I love the competitive side of the sport. That’s what I love so much about it. Just getting out there and rustling a couple of bumpers and driving against people I know.”

It’s paid off for Martin, too. He has reached victory lane three times in his two years in the sport. He also took home the overall track championship at the Mobile International Speedway last year.

Martin still recalls driving into the winner’s circle for the first time at Mobile.

“It was extreme joy and jubilation,” he said of that first victory. “The only way to describe it is ecstatic. We had put so much hard work into everything last season. When I won that race, I climbed out of the car and the first person I saw was my dad (Lafourche Parish Assessor Mike Martin). We both looked at each other and had a smile from ear to ear. We were both excited.”

It was the footsteps – or gas pedal – of another Martin (NASCAR great Mark Martin) that sparked Galliano’s racer’s interest in car racing.

Besides sharing the same last name, Martin said he always idolized Mark Martin for keeping his family close, despite a hectic NASCAR schedule. “I always found [Mark Martin] to be a good family man,” the local driver said. “I always enjoyed watching him race.”

As a young boy, Hal Martin learned to handle a car behind a remote control. He traveled the country racing remote-controlled cars competitively. Even at that young age, he had sponsors lined up to fund his passion.

At age 16, Martin climbed behind the wheel in his first organized race: the Gumbo Grand Prix, a go-kart race held in Houma. It was the teen’s 16th birthday.

“We had to raise $1,000, which went to the Ronald McDonald House,” he said. “We had to buy our own go-kart and raise the money.”

Bitten by the competition bug, Martin continued racing in Houma, Lafayette and the surrounding area. He ended up raising over $5,000 to compete in various charity races before moving on to shifter carts.

Over the next two-plus years, Martin gained invaluable experience and even won the state championship. It came as no surprise to longtime fans and family when he traded his shifter cart for a stock car in 2006.

“My ultimate goal is to race in NASCAR someday, hopefully soon,” Martin said. “My immediate goal is to try and win another championship this year and move up into the Auto Racing Club of America (ARCA) series next year. My long-term goal is to race in NASCAR.” (ARCA is the next rung on the stock car circuit en route to NASCAR.)

But that’s easier said than done, he admits.

The second biggest hurdle – the first is proving one’s mettle behind the wheel – is finding the financial backing. Never mind rising gas prices, stock car racing is an expensive venture, Martin said. He drops about $5,000-$6,000 competing each weekend he competes. That includes the cost of gas, tires, staff salaries and travel, he said.

Martin’s current sponsors are Karl Senner Inc., Golden Motors and Gaubert Oil. He’s looking for more backers so, next year, he can move up to ARCA.

“That series (ARCA) is nationally known,” Martin said. “They race on the same tracks as NASCAR on the same weekend. They’ll race on the Friday where NASCAR races on Sunday. From there, you can either move up into the Busch Series or the Craftsman Truck Series or straight into NASCAR.”

Martin added, “I have my accreditations, the wins, the championship and the experience. I just need the sponsor money. I have enough things under my belt to move up. The only thing that is holding us back is the money side of it.”

The south Louisiana driver is confident that once he makes the jump, he’ll be able to find success and impress the NASCAR scouts who attend races looking for future potential.

“It depends on how well I would do in the ARCA series,” he explained. “That would determine how quickly I can move up. If I do really well in that division, which is what a lot of scouts look at, I could move up into the NASCAR league.”

These days, holding his position on the track and in the classroom take up a good bit of Martin’s time. But it’s not all work and no play. He unwinds playing disc golf, racing remote-controlled cars and, like most Cajun-born boys, fishing.

Ask him what his job is, however, and Martin is quick to respond: “Racing is my job as well as my passion. That’s what I do.”

Hal Martin Jr. has already won the track championship at Mobile International Speedway. He is in second place this season at both Mobile International and Five Flags speedways. * Photo courtsey of HAL MARTIN