Coo Coo Marlin loses his battle

Please keep the Marlin family in your thoughts and prayers.

Coo Coo Marlin, father of NASCAR Nextel Cup driver Sterling Marlin, passed away early Sunday in his long battle against lung cancer.

Sterling Marlin left Watkins Glen late Thursday when he got the call that his father was gravely ill.  David Stremme got the call to practice the car and qualify if necessary until they heard from Sterling.

The news on Saturday had seemed to be better, Coo Coo had stabilized, but they said the next 12 hours would be critical.  Unfortunately, he took a turn for the worse and died early Sunday morning.  He had been battling lung cancer for quite some time.

Scott Pruett was to be standing by just in case and he will drive the #40 this weekend for Marlin.  No word yet on if Marlin will be back for next Sunday or if they  will need to find a replacement for him, but it would be completely understandable if he didn't race next weekend also.

Coo Coo Marlin was a respected member in the NASCAR family and although he never won an actual points race, he was considered a contender.  The picture above is of the three generations of Marlins, from left to right Steadman Marlin, Sterling Marlin and Coo Coo Marlin.

The Marlin family asks that in lieu of flowers, that well-wishers send a donation to the American Lung Association in Coo Coo's name.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Marlin family.