Mark Martin. David Ragan. Both men have a lot in common. They each grew up in small Southern towns. Both are fierce competitors. Both received a lot of support from their fathers, who also instilled strong work ethics in their sons. And now, both these men are at home behind the wheel of the No. 6 AAA Ford Fusion.

In October 2006, Roush Racing selected Craftsman Truck series driver David Ragan to take over the reins of the AAA No. 6 car from the legendary Martin. The driver during AAA’s inaugural NASCAR season, Martin had a successful run in the AAA car, earning a spot in the Chase for the Nextel Cup. After the end of the 2006 season, Martin left Roush to pursue other racing plans, while Ragan began his Nextel Cup career.

Ragan knows he has legendary shoes to fill. “It’s really special,” Ragan said. “This is a team that has been racing for more than 20 years, and it’s been at the top, winning races in the top NASCAR division. It’s great just being part of it.”

Born Christmas Eve, 1985, in Unadilla, Ga., Ragan began racing in the Bandolero Series at age 11. However, his father, former NASCAR driver Ken Ragan, wasn’t sure racing was the hobby he wanted for his son.
“At first, he didn’t want me to,” Ragan said. “I was still doing Little League and stuff.

“For a few years it was a hobby, but then my father made it clear I had to make it my first priority if I really wanted to do it. By age 13 or 14, I had decided this is what I enjoyed doing. I was young, but I knew I had to put 110 percent into it.”

In his second year of competition, Ragan won 12 races and the Bandolero National Championship. Ragan continued to race in the Bandolero division for the next two years, winning the National Championship again in 1999.

Eventually, Ragan partnered with Dash Series driver Cam Strader, going to work in his shop. How did his years in the shop prepare him for NASCAR? “I think it made me appreciate what the guys in the shop do to get cars on the track for us,” Ragan said. “It gave me a good outlook. It’s team spirit. You can’t do it alone. You have to have a lot of respect for everyone — the tire guy, the crew chief, the engineer — everyone has a certain job.

“After my days inside [the shop], I can talk the same language.”

At 16, Ragan was still too young to run in NASCAR, so he began running in late model races across the southeast. It was then that he began his relationship with Mark Martin, driving for him in the Legends Pro-Division and finishing fourth in points out of more than 60 drivers.

“Mark really helped me,” Ragan explained. “He helped me build the good foundation that got me to where I am today. He’s somewhat like my dad; he’s ‘been there, done that.’ He’s shown me what to do and what not to do.”

Ragan hit the NASCAR circuit as soon as he turned 18. He began driving in Craftsman Truck and Busch Series events, along with a limited ARCA schedule.

The relationship between Ragan and Martin continued when Ragan was selected as co-driver of the No. 6 Roush Racing Ford F-150, sharing the schedule with Martin.

And while the beginning of Ragan’s Nextel Cup career also signaled the end of Martin’s long tenure with Roush Racing, according to Ragan, this transition did not mean the end of the relationship between these drivers.
Said Ragan: “He’s a big part of my future and, even though he’s going to be on another team, we’ll keep in touch. He’s a big part of why I’m here talking to you.”

The veteran Martin is equally supportive of AAA’s new driver. "I think David will do a fine job in the No. 6 car,” Martin said. “I've had my eye on David for sometime now, and he is a fast race-car driver and a great person. He comes from a great family, and I think time will show that David will be up for the challenge.

“I'm sure that AAA and David will enjoy a great relationship for years to come."

Ragan knows that he has a steep learning curve ahead of him. While it’s a challenge he feels ready to tackle, he’s gratefully surprised to have the opportunity so early in his career.

“I’ve always had this goal in mind,” Ragan said of racing in the Nextel Cup series. “I’m a competitor.

“You know, every year I make goals for myself. Last year, when I was setting my goals, I hadn’t put much thought into moving into Nextel. I wasn’t expecting it. But it’s time for me to do what I need to do to prepare for this.”

At barely 21 years of age, Ragan knows he has a lot of experience yet to gain. But he also believes his age may give him an edge.
“I think [my age] is an advantage — 100 percent. I’m willing to work to get this done. I know I don’t have the experience — I mean, Mark Martin has been racing longer than I’ve been alive — but I have a lot of dedication. And I know that working hard is No. 1, and no one will work harder than me.”

Ragan credits his father with instilling years of knowledge and tenacity into him. “I’m not here to be a famous race-car driver. I’m here to get the job done and win races. My father has always preached, ‘Whatever you do, do the best you can. Stay focused.’ Every day I think ‘What can I do for my sponsor and for Roush to be a better race-car driver today.’”
In addition to being a Cup driver, the elder Ragan also owned an auto shop and was a AAA towing provider. This makes the affiliation with AAA a family affair.

“It’s cool to have AAA be my sponsor and to have that connection. My dad’s pretty excited.

“Of course, if I was racing a go-kart, he’d be excited,” Ragan added with a chuckle. “Really, he’s tickled to death.”