THE DON HUNTER COLLECTION

MARTY ROBBINS, RACER

Marty Robbins was best known as a Country Music Hall of Famer, so how did he relax on his off weekends? He raced. Over the course of 13 different seasons, Robbins competed in a total of 35 Grand National/Winston Cup events. His best finish was a fifth-place effort at Michigan in June 1974.

As much as he raced, however, Robbins was realistic about his NASCAR career. He actually turned himself in after discovering that his car had an illegal carburetor during the May 7, 1972 event at Talladega. "I didn't want the money, points or anything," Robbins was quoted as saying in Forty Years of Stock Car Racing -- Volume IV -- The Modern Era 1972-1989 by Greg Fielden.

"I knew I was running too fast. I didn't start the race knowing the car was illegal. I found out that I could drive a car that ran that fast." Robbins was dropped from 18th place to last, and he refused to accept the race's rookie award of $250. "It was worth it," Robbins continued. "In fact, I'd have paid that much money for a picture of Joe Frasson's face when I passed him."