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maybe he is tired of being a P/C poster child like hid Daddy Jeff Gordon.
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
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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
Anonymous 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 Ken Matthews
Chrissie 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?
Kathy 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.
Denny Dozen said:
Jul 5, 2008 at 4:47 PMRetire already How many more of these retirement announcements will fans have to endure. You're time has passed Mark, get over it.
Bonnie 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!
Nicole 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!!!
Lane 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.