Support » SCENE-please remove inappropriate photos of the dead/horrific
Meg, I liked the flowers, too! Especially the gold/yellow one. I would much much rather look at those than the wrecks. I opened one of the wrecks and ignored...
Martin to seek 2009 championship in Hendrick Motorsports' No. 5
By Rea White - Associate Editor
Friday, July 04, 2008
Team owner Rick Hendrick (left) and Mark Martin announce on Friday at Daytona International Speedway that Martin will drive the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet full time next season.
David Griffin
NASCAR Scene
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Hendrick Motorsports made it official today, announcing Mark Martin as the full-time driver of the organization's No. 5 NASCAR Sprint Cup entry in 2009.
"This is a real special day for me," team owner Rick Hendrick said at Daytona International Speedway. " It's real exciting for me to be able to announce Mark Martin coming on board to run for the championship next year in the [No.] 5 car. That car means a lot to me
because that was my first number … We're honored to have a guy of his caliber."
Martin, 49, is currently driving a limited schedule in the Dale Earnhardt Inc. No. 8. This marks his fourth team move in the last three seasons. Martin drove 19 Cup seasons for Roush Racing before deciding to scale back and compete on a part-time basis. In 2007, he debuted with Ginn Racing, sharing a car with Regan Smith. Midway through that season, DEI merged with Ginn, putting Martin in the team founded by his former competitor, Dale Earnhardt.
This season, Martin took over the No. 8 made famous by Dale Earnhardt Jr. He plans to drive in 24 Cup points races in the car this season with Aric Almirola driving the rest. Almirola has been named the full-time driver for that team beginning next season.
"It's just, when I think about being a part of the status organization in NASCAR and being a member of the team with Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr., working with [crew chief] Alan Gustafson and all the folks there and the relationship that I've had, … it was just an opportunity that I absolutely could not, I just couldn't let it pass by," Martin said. "At this point in my life I was very concerned about regretting that decision for the rest of my life."
Martin will drive a partial schedule in 2010, sharing the ride with a to-be-named driver. Martin has 35 career Cup wins and has finished as runnerup for the championship four times in his career.
He will replace Casey Mears, who has driven for Hendrick Motorsports the last two years.
Martin also isn't ruling out competing in some Nationwide races next season. He says that he has talked with JR Motorsports and would consider driving a maximum of five races with that team next year, though it is too early to be discussing that yet.
Mentioned Drivers: Mark Martin
2009 Sprint Cup Race for the Chase Standings
Driver Standings after the AMP Energy 500
| 1 | Jimmie Johnson | 6248 |
| 2 | Mark Martin | -184 |
| 3 | Jeff Gordon | -192 |
| 4 | Juan Pablo Montoya | -239 |
| 5 | Tony Stewart | -279 |
| 6 | Kurt Busch | -312 |
| 7 | Greg Biffle | -340 |
| 8 | Ryan Newman | -402 |
| 9 | Kasey Kahne | -414 |
| 10 | Carl Edwards | -437 |
| 11 | Denny Hamlin | -448 |
| 12 | Brian Vickers | -556 |
Popular News
-
Hendrick Motorsports' Dale Earnhardt Jr. eager for return to Texas Motor Speedway
Comments (138) -
Richard Petty Motorsports' AJ Allmendinger charged with driving while impaired
Comments (73) -
JR Motorsports continues work on bringing Danica Patrick to NASCAR
Comments (69) -
NASCAR says bump-drafting rules not to blame for single-file Talladega racing
Comments (67) -
Dave Rogers to become Kyle Busch's new Cup crew chief at Joe Gibbs Racing
Comments (64)
Recent Headlines
-
Nationwide penalty likely for opening-day violation by Kyle Busch team
Comments (6) -
Kyle Busch pulls off Texas two-step by winning Nationwide race
Comments (9) -
Oklahoma teacher named Dickies American Worker of the Year
Post Comment -
Roush Fenway Racing's Donnie Wingo set to return to organization for 2010 NASCAR season
Post Comment -
Toyota executive addresses Formula One decision, Earnhardt Ganassi possibility
Comments (6)
Poll PositionView All
Which NASCAR Sprint Cup race winner from the past two seasons is most likely to earn his first victory of 2009 in the next three races?
Promotions
-
Play "WIX Filters' Pick 3" stock car fantasy and win prizes. Season 2 is now in session!
-
Tweet your thoughts about each race and join the conversation with other fans.
-
Drive an authentic NASCAR Sprint Cup car at the NASCAR Racing Experience.
-
Cast your vote for the NASCAR Illustrated 2009 Person of the Year, presented by Old Spice.
-
Make weekly pics for the Chase and be entered to win weekly SPEED Merchandise.
Comments
8 responses to "Martin to seek 2009 championship in Hendrick Motorsports' No. 5". Post a Comment.
Anonymous said:
Jul 4, 2008 at 4:11 PMTalk about your "Super Teams!" Hendrick will have the best lineup in NASCAR by far...I wish Mark Martin the greatest of luck
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportAnonymous said:
Jul 4, 2008 at 4:12 PMTalk about your "Super Teams!" Hendrick will have the best lineup in NASCAR by far...I wish Mark Martin the greatest of luck
Report as AbuseKen Matthews
Report Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportChrissie Bennett said:
Jul 4, 2008 at 8:23 PMMark hasn't won a race in how long? What makes you think that next season just because he's with Hendrick he's going to win anything?
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportKathy I said:
Jul 5, 2008 at 3:52 PMHard to have much respect for a man who leads on the fans with the "retirement run" he had - letting them buy the special merchandise & then changing his mind. Sure glad I didn't spend my money on any of it. I have much more respect for Rusty & Dale Jarrett - they made a decision, announced it, and are sticking to it.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportDenny Dozen said:
Jul 5, 2008 at 4:47 PMRetire already
Report as AbuseHow many more of these retirement announcements will fans have to endure. You're time has passed Mark, get over it.
Report Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportBonnie Johnson said:
Jul 11, 2008 at 6:24 PMTo all you that think Mark Martin is a has been, sit back and watch! He is no near the age to retire! He has never "retired" he cut back so let the driver drive!
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportNicole Smith said:
Jul 12, 2008 at 12:10 PMI consider myself a Hendrick's girl...you never know what the future will hold for Mark once he is aboard. We all accepted Jr, and I cant help but think that with Jeff, Jimmie and Mark, we will have a fantastic year. I wish Mark the best with his decision! Just sit back and watch! It will definitely be a great year!!!! Go boys go!!!
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportLane grant said:
Aug 11, 2008 at 5:51 AMI thought every year was a championship year! Here we go again, I wonder where Mark will be in 2010,2011 etc. He has been retired for years, he's just hanging around. Maybe if he wins a race he really will retire. This situation is got OLD.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Report