We’ve been hearing rumblings about this for a few days, and its being reported today by the AP and ESPN that Hendrick Motorsports will announce on Friday at Daytona that Mark Martin will replace Casey Mears in the #5 for next season. Martin has been splitting time this season with Aric Almirola in DEI’s #8 Army car, but it was announced this week that Almirola will go full time in that ride for 2009.
Martin is certainly no stranger to Hendrick Motorsports, having piloted the HMS #5 Nationwide Series car a few times over the last two seasons. Word is that Martin wants to drive for a competitive team for one final shot at the Sprint Cup Series Championship, which he has failed to win during his long and distinguished career.
I know there are a lot of die hard Mark Martin fans out there and I want to open up discussion to our great group of readers. Given the current climate of competition and the situation he’s entering I want to know from you, what you think his chances are next season of earning that championship. Hendrick Motorsports is certainly one of the top organizations right now, but they’ve only got two wins so far this season and both Jeff Gordon and Casey Mears have yet to find victory lane. The COT is proving to be difficult to master for many and with drivers like Kyle Busch, Dale Jr. and his resurgence, Carl Edwards, Kasey Kahne, and so many others to compete with, what do you think? The floor is all yours…
Loading ...
on Jul 2nd, 2008 at 7:29 pm
I find it interesting how Rick Hendrick is “assimilating” many of the drivers that have been long-time rivals of HMS and their drivers, especially Jeff Gordon. I think you’re right to wonder how much this is going to really help Martin, since the HMS doesn’t t appear to have an edge over anybody this year. I imagine that Mark will do okay–that he’ll win a race or two and even perhaps make the chase–but that the year-long grind will wear on him and that he’ll fade by the end.
on Jul 2nd, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Mark Martin has unquestionable skills when placed in quality equipment and Hendrick runs quality equipment. Although Mark has limited COT experience, the Chase points format will actually play into his favor by giving him and his team the first 26 weeks of the season to gel and hit their stride. On top of that, Mark has years of experience and proven success as a consistent performer who consistently finishes races. I would expect Mark to qualify for the Chase and be a contender for the title.
on Jul 2nd, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Well, as a “old die hard Mark Martin fan” I do have some what of an issue with his coming out of semi-retirement to possibly drive full time. His original reasons for leaving the Roush camp were because Jack could not promise him “part time driving & sponsership”. So he left & got it at DEI.
Now he is thinking of returning to full time?? That sucks IMHO. He will not win a championship with the level of competition that there is today. There is no question he can out drive a number of the current full time guys…but I doubt he can reel in that darn elusive championship which, he should have had but..not to be. So, I think he can give it a good run but, it will not work. The upside, at least he wont be driving a damn Toyota!!
on Jul 3rd, 2008 at 7:51 am
Mark Martin is a great human being and a class act all the way. Having said that, let’s get real. His age is very much against him, and the other young guns are much too aggressive for him to win a championship with anyone. The COT allows more banging and rubbing than the old one, which is not in Mark’s favor either. Maybe Rick is just trying to atone for letting Kyle go.
on Jul 3rd, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Mark’s good and consistent. I think he will make the chase and he could win a race or two, but I dont know about the Championship. I just think Hendrick is spreading itself to thin and I would not be surprised if next year a team other then Hendrick wins the Championship.
There has always been talk that one team at Hendrick does not always get the same stuff as the rest of the teams. When was the last time the #25 team did anything? The #5 team for the most part went over to Dale Jr’s #88. So the new #5 team is basically the old #25 team. I think Hendrick is going to have to step up big time to make the #5 have the same success as the other teams have shown.
on Jul 3rd, 2008 at 2:55 pm
I think Mark COULD make the top 12 or just be outside. He’s always consistant and finishes.
I hear his son is bowing out of racing (rumor?) so maybe that is the sudden change. I thought he was focusing on Matts racing career more, thats why the retirement.
Hey, MJ did it……
on Mar 22nd, 2009 at 11:48 pm
i think mark martin and dale jr are washed up they are just lead sleds for hendricks motors martin had two poles and done nothing jr is a joke running on empty