May 26th, 2011 
T.C. It seems that amid all the talk about the free agent drivers this year, there is one who’s getting lost in the shuffle. We seem to get weekly updates on Carl Edwards’ status, but there isn’t much chatter about Mark Martin. Scene Daily’s Kenny Bruce had a piece up on Thursday about Martin’s future, and it’s the first I’ve seen in a while. No new information was revealed to Bruce, and Martin made it clear that he’s going to wait for an opportunity to come to him. I’m curious though, with all the Martin fans out there, where do you want to see him next year? Are you hoping he finds another full time Cup ride, or do you think it’s time he starts to scale back?
Since it seems most teams who are in the market for a new driver are waiting on Carl Edwards and Clint Bowyer to make their moves, there really hasn’t been much in the way of rumors about Martin. At this point, if he were to remain in the Cup Series, the most obvious move may be to Red Bull Racing. Martin would reunite with former boss Jay Frye, and he could either be in line for a full time deal until Cole Whitt is ready or possibly a shared ride with the youngster, similar to his deal a few years ago with Aric Almirola. But for now, this move is more speculation than anything else.
Another possible option could be a full or part time schedule running in the Truck and Nationwide Series. Martin is running a few races for Turner Motorsports (he won with them at Las Vegas) this season and you’ve got to believe they’d be an option for 2012. Something tells me they wouldn’t have too much trouble finding a few sponsors willing to back him. It’s important to note though, that even if Martin does secure a full or part time Cup ride, a part time schedule with Turner may happen anyway.
Outside of Red Bull and Turner, I’m not sure what else will be available to Martin. The 52 year old isn’t getting any younger, and the theoretical options we’ve mentioned for guys like Edwards won’t necessarily be options for Martin.
So Martin fans, where would you like to see him next year? Red Bull? Turner? Full time? Part time?
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I’d like to see him back in the #6 to finish his career, but I suspect he’ll be PT in the #4 being a mentor for Mr. Whitt. He could bring some much needed experience to Team Red Bull.
I’d like to see him in a competitive Chevy but I don’t think that is going to happen.
Roush might need to hire him back to drive the UPS car… cuz Ragan is just gonna keep spinning it out or violating racing rules that are older than I am.
-W
not in a race car
At home selling cars or running a fitness center.. Thim to give driving gloves to a younger more able person.
sadly, mark has become bret favre. here’s to hoping that when he is “having fun” next year, that he is at home.
Mark “retired” a few years ago and then just kind of jumped back in when he missed it so much. I think he even got a wooden rocking chair. I would like to see him step down from Sprint Cup now and do whatever he likes in trucks or Nationwide. It is time for him to go out gracefully along with other greats Bobby Labonte and Bill Elliot.
Alternately, I think Mark and these other great drivers should get involved in the diversity and rookie programs. Mark is a class act and it would be a shame to not give young up and comers a chance to learn racing technique and racing etiquette from this great driver.
Retired ….done that already. Then retire from Sprint Cup. Will he get another retirement tour and rocking chair?
I think Mr Martin will buy into a team as did smoke he can still drive and mentor new drivers.He has a great gift and understanding the new drivers
Out of a cup car.
I would love to see him driving a Ford somewhere. Maybe buy into Front Row and turn them around like Tony Stewart did at Haas Racing. I just don’t want to see him drive a toyota for Red Bull or anyone else. That would stink!!
I’d like to see him a rocking chair, but I’m afraid that I’ll see him in the #09.
I’m surprised by the comments I’m reading. Have you all forgotten that less than 2 years ago Mark won 5 races and finished second in points? It’s true that last year was a mediocre year for Mark, but that was pretty much true for all of the Hendrick teams, other than the 48. He consistently out runs guys half his age each and every week and is probably more fit than any other driver out there, maybe with the exception of Carl Edwards. I think Mark has a lot more racing left to do before he hangs it up for good.
I have been a Mark Martin fan since he first drove the #6 Stroh’s Light car. Regardless of Mark’s age, he still has much to offer a team from both the driver’s seat and as a leader/mentor. Something tells me that we will see him driving for Stewart Haas next year.
Wow, so much disrespect. Mark is still doing better than many of the regulars, and is a great mentor to up and coming drivers. His workout regimen has inspired other competitors including Carl Edwards and raised the bar for everyone in the garage. He’s definitely not Bret Favre. He never played the retiring game. He wanted to stop racing full time so he could spend more time with his son. Others called it retirement. I call it family. The cup schedule kept him from making his son’s races and he only had one chance to be involved all that. Jack didn’t have a part time place for him. He wanted to drive a truck but other opportunities came up so he kept making the best decision for his life at the time.
Eventually his son decided to take a different path, freeing up Mark again. He had another chance to do something challenging in cup. Why do so many forget all that? NASCAR is all about family, but when Mark puts family first, all he gets is criticism. Mark is doing fine just sitting back and enjoying whatever opportunities come along. He’s not threatening to retire, he’s just reached a point in his career where he doesn’t need to constantly plan ahead for his next ride. Opportunities do come to him. As a fan, I want him to be wherever he decides to be and I’ll be happy for him.
I have been a huge MM fan for a long time – the #6 Stroh’s care – I would love to see him do what Tony has done. Which team? Who knows – like someone said Front Row or what about Turner going Cup racing? As long as he’s racing somewhere (NW or Cup) that is fine by me. Here’s to a great rest of the year for Mark Martin!!
no disrespect, just time to move along
Not only is Mark a great person. but one of the best that has ever raced.I have been a fan of Mark’s for over 25 yrs. If your not a fan of his thats your business…. But to try and [cut him down] is just crazy. Why would any one do that? Better think long and hard who you are trying to put down. Some of you poster need to turn around and look at your selfs not my [one and only] (From Admin – Easy on the CAPS)
I’m a HUGE MM fan as well, here are several scenarios I wouldn’t mind seeing;
1. Full time for a couple of more seasons with Stewart-Haas, and a final part-time schedule. Maybe splitting time with Danica Patrick?
2. Full time with Red Bull this year and maybe split time with Cole Whitt?
3. Become an owner (Either full or part) and do a deal similar to Tony. Maybe Finch’s #09?
4. Full time in either Nationwide or Truck series with either Turner or KHI.
5. Return to RFR for a final reunion so to speak.
Part me thinks if Kurt Busch’s season keeps going south he may ask out of his contract and maybe leaves the door open for the #22. There will be plenty of options for him I am sure. I’m not worried about it yet.
I am surprised there is no mention of JRM. Sponsorship more than anything else has kept them away from Cup. I could see Mark driving for Junior or Turner with support for Hendrick as those two organizations try for a foothold in Cup just as easily as him going to Red Bull. He could mentor Patrick, Whitt, or James Buescher someday.
Ginny, great points!. I think #4 would be a good match for Mark, with the exception that I can’t imagine MM with a Red Bull in his hand, ever. I don’t think MM will ever be an owner. I do think he wants to help new up and comers. What I want is for SHR to form a 3rd team for Danica and have MM spend a year in it helping to set it up, before she climbs in it in 2013. But I don’t see that happening. If he goes to NNS I want him in a competitive car full-time going after the championship. I think Turner is set for full-time drivers though.
Sad fact is there are a lot of drivers waiting in the wings right now, Stenhouse, Bayne, Allgaier, Patrick, possibly even Raikkonan. McDowell looks like he has potential in a decent ride. Turnover has been slow recently in the Cup series, some of the older drivers will need to move over soon to make room for new blood. The series needs it to keep things interesting. But I would like Mark to have one more year in Cup.
out of a Cup car? Really?
He won no races last year… but he won 5 races the year before and finished a very close 2nd in points.
I don’t think he’s lost “it”, and he’s prolly in better shape than most of the younger guys. I was amazed at how that team fell off last year.
go Chevy!
-W
Mark Martin is a role model to all. He has set the standard high as the gentleman racer. He will race you hard but clean. Some may fault him for this because he might seem not aggressive enough. He will move out of the groove if someone is faster than him rather than hold them up and possibly wreck them both. You won’t see him do a burn out when he wins. He is old school and has too much respect for the hard work and effort that went into his race cars that someone else owns. Many of his competitors only wish that they had a fraction of his success. I know Mark has never won the Cup, but he is still a winner. He has been his own man and raced his way.
There is no doubt that he would be a tremendous asset to any team. I still have a feeling that he will end up driving a 3rd Cup car for Tony next year.
Would love to see him in a third car for RPM. They have mentioned a future desire for a 3rd car to court Danica or another name. Martin would be a great asset for them with AJ and Ambrose.
I have a lot of respect for Mark and pull for him whenever he’s in the top five.
I think it’s time to retire. For real. Yes, he’s in great shape but that doesn’t negate the fact that his best days are behind him. Five races and 2nd in points two years ago but is that really gone happen again with a lesser team? No it won’t.
Just running the big races isn’t the answer either. How’s Bill Elliott doing? Looks a little desperate to me. Rides not befitting a former champion. Same goes for the Labonte brothers. I won’t object to him trying for the Daytona 500 every year, Hylton’s still giving it a go.
I think the perfect spot for him would be as scout and coach on Roger Penske’s team. They both have exceptional focus on quality and integrity.
Could we possibly see Mark in a JR Motorsports entry with obvious full Hendrick support? This scenario gives the team time to establish itself both points wise and experience wise at the more demanding Cup level in preparation for Miss Danica Patrick’s arrival to in 2013.
Tony Eury Jr. would benefit from the virtue of time to bring himself, and the pit crew, up to speed with the more demanding competion level of Sprint Cup, and sponsor Go Daddy maintains it’s ties with Mark, Dale Earnhardt Jr, and Hendrick Motorsports.
As well, the cross series program marketing opportunities remain intact and basically remain familiar and on trusted grounds for Danica and her management team.
I could see Mark Martin at RCR next year and the year after that and then stepping aside for Austin Dillon. I think Clint Bowyer is going to be at another team like Red Bull or Petty next year.
I have been a Mark Martin fan since birth…literally. I have been there for the frustrating seasons, like 2001, but I am always supportive. As for this season mark will continue to do poorly as long as Hendrick keeps Lance McGrew as his crew chief. I Personally wouldn’t mind seeing him invest in Front Row Motorsports and make them truly competitive. He is a sponsor magnet and would be great for FRM.
Look at Jr how poor hes been in the last 3 years. I would watch 48,24 and 5 be in top 10 week after week and think Jr was a poor driver. Now Mark is there last week 3 Hendrick cars in top 6 Mark 18th now I respect the Crew Chief alot more.Go Mark
I really think that Mark got screwed at Hendrick. Lets face it, they were not expected to have a season like they did in 2009(even though I fully believe that MM can win at any given race!). Rick Hendrick got praised for giving mark a year like that. Lets face it, if Rick knew that mark was going to run so good & jr was going to be marred in the pack week in and week out the crew cheif change would have happened alot earlier if not before Mark’s first race in the #5. Mark is one hell of a driver & can still get the job done! Just listen to what Tony, Jimmie, Jeff, Jack Roush… say. Drivers feel more comfortable racing hard side by side with Mark than anyone else on the track! Go Mark.