Martin has no ownership plans
By Godwin Kelly
Saturday, August 12, 2006
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Mark Martin's racing future remains unresolved, but the veteran driver is eliminating one possible option for 2007 - he won't own a Nextel Cup race team.
Martin, who drives the No. 6 Ford, said Friday that he shot down that idea floated by Jack Roush, his current team owner who will soon be restricted to four race cars.
"Jack would like me to own two teams - own one and drive one," Martin said in the Watkins Glen International garage area.
"I just don't have that much left in me," he continued. "I'm a fighter, and I've got a lot of fire and desire. If I wanted to, I could do that."
But Martin, who has yet to sign a Craftsman Truck Series contract with Ford for next season, doesn't want the responsibility and hassle that comes with team ownership.
"I would be miserable," Martin said. "I would work right down to my knees. That's not what I want for my future.
"I want some time. I want some friends. I want to be there for family and friends. I want to do some other things and still race. I can do that with the truck series, and we'll see what works out from there."
Martin's ideal racing schedule would be a full-time Craftsman Truck Series ride complimented by up to a dozen Nextel Cup races.
He can't do that with Roush. Martin said Busch Series driver Todd Kluever will drive the No. 6 entry full-time next season.
Martin said he would not race just any stock car. It would have to be a car, preferably a Ford, that would run up front and contend for a victory.
"I wouldn't want to do it under the situation that Terry Labonte did it or Bill Elliott did it," Martin said. "I think everyone knows that my dignity means more to me than just go riding around in circles. I want to race to win."
Martin left the door open for any number of scenarios in 2007, including a full-time Cup ride.
"I'm not going to say I won't do a full schedule, because it could happen, but I don't see it," Martin said.
Martin said the rumor about racing a Cup car with Robert Yates Racing has no merit. The two men made a joke about a union after hearing about the speculation.
"It was just a joke," Martin said of his conversation with Yates. "I said, 'How much am I supposed to give you [to drive your car]?' "
Martin's future remains up in the air, including his factory contract. Asked if he would be required to drive a Ford in a part-time schedule, Martin got a twinkle in his eyes.
"It wouldn't work well for me to be the Ford banner boy in trucks, then do Cup racing in something else," he said. "I haven't signed my truck deal yet. You know, they make all kinds of trucks."
- Mentioned Drivers:
- Bill Elliott
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