[Phils20]

This would be interesting if true.

I do think Aric needs to be racing full time, but I wonder if Mark will run next year?

Could he be a candidate for the 4th RCR car, with it running a limitied schedule during start up?

Just a thought of mine!

ESPN - Source: Martin to leave DEI in 2009, Almirola to race full time - Racing

[Quality88]

Interesting development.....I think he may take the oppurtunity to bow out at this time.

[bamaga]

is this the same ESPN that said Les Miles had already accepted the Michigan Job?

[Phils20]

Originally Posted by bamaga

is this the same ESPN that said Les Miles had already accepted the Michigan Job?

Come on now, everyone gets one wrong sometimes.

geez...

[Quality88]

I thought I heard them say somethin about Mears not bein at Hendrick next season.... That is interestin that Mark may possibly go there.... Will he get the better equipment of the bunch to get a championship?

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Quality88

I thought I heard them say somethin about Mears not bein at Hendrick next season.... That is interestin that Mark may possibly go there.... Will he get the better equipment of the bunch to get a championship?

I also heard that Mears would not be back next year but I can't see them giving Mark a ride. He doesn't, or least didn't, want a full time ride so that would be foolish for HMS

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Quality88

I thought I heard them say somethin about Mears not bein at Hendrick next season.... That is interestin that Mark may possibly go there.... Will he get the better equipment of the bunch to get a championship?

The following from jayski.com:
"UPDATE: Casey Mears and Mark Martin look to be on the move, and their futures might be linked. Mears' future with Hendrick Motorsports appears in jeopardy, ESPN.com has learned. Although Mears has one year left on his contract, team owner Rick Hendrick would not commit to the driver of the #5 car beyond this season. "I'm committed to him right now," Hendrick said on Sunday at Infineon Raceway. "I'm committed to him making that car run better right now." Earlier on Sunday, sources told ESPN.com that Martin would leave Dale Earnhardt Inc. Later, ESPN.com learned that he would replace Mears, making one last full-time run at a championship.(ESPN.com)(6-22-2008 )"

[SteelPhoenyx]

Martin in the #5... that would be interesting.

Another possibility is Boris Said. I was at a Family Day bbq at the Hendrick Hospitality tent on Saturday at Infineon. During the day the 4 Hendrick drivers showed up for a bit, and while it wasn't really a 'meet and greet', the drivers were on the stage answering questions that people had written down. Boris Said was on the stage with them. The announcement being that Boris was teaming up with Hendrick to open a BMW dealership somewhere in SoCal, but Boris had dropped a hint that he'd love to have a seat in one of the cars. Now, if that were to happen, who do you think would be out, hmmm? Certainly not Jeff, he's a Lifer with HMS. 2-Time Champ Jimmie's not going anywhere either, and you KNOW they won't let go of Junior.

Mears, poor guy, often overlooked, redheaded stepchild of HMS... 5th wheel of a 4 driver organization. I hope he'll get picked up by somebody that will be a better fit. I was glad to see him get a top 5 today.

[BiscuitMan]

Larry Mac reported on TNT's coverage of Infineon that Casey Mears was told last week that he would not return to the No. 5 next year.

Today's local “mullet wrapper” reported a scenario that would put Mark Martin in the No. 5 sharing the ride with Brad Kesolowski. The rationale is that Rick Hendrick is a partner with JR Motorsports in the No. 88 Nationwide car.

This seems like a workable solution – but for only one year to get Kesolowski up to speed in Cup cars. Then Mark would have to decide to retire or find another part time ride in 2010.

[Bob Tanner]

Mark sure has a curious way of "retiring?"

[LSC9901]

I like Mark Martin and I feel bad that he has never won a championship, but if he hasn't won it yet my guess is that his chances get slimmer every day. I don't see him taking on Kyle Busch or the likes of anyone like Kyle. Marks time has come and gone and to retain his place in NASCAR history he needs to either just do the P/T ride or just retire. I get real fed up with these guys that retire just to return for one last hurrah !!! More often than not the hurrah turns into a Hmmmpff !!!

[WestCoast]

Mark should have retired Last year as originally planed.
I hate to see him hang on too long and tarnish his stellar career.

[jks812]

Originally Posted by WestCoast

Mark should have retired Last year as originally planed.
I hate to see him hang on too long and tarnish his stellar career.

I agree. To me, even without a championship, he's still a great driver. Actually as good or better than some that got a championship. I hate to see him basically end his career like Dale J and Bill Elliot, by becoming an also ran driver.

[oncea3fan]

he still a top 15 driver, given better eqiument he'd be better,
he won't be hanging on for haveing a CP.
so as far as Iam concearned go for it mark.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

I like Mark Martin and I feel bad that he has never won a championship, but if he hasn't won it yet my guess is that his chances get slimmer every day. I don't see him taking on Kyle Busch or the likes of anyone like Kyle. Marks time has come and gone and to retain his place in NASCAR history he needs to either just do the P/T ride or just retire. I get real fed up with these guys that retire just to return for one last hurrah !!! More often than not the hurrah turns into a Hmmmpff !!!

After around 1996 Mark hasn't won a championship because he hasn't driven like he wants to win one. He's driven, with a few exceptions, it seems as though he feels like, "I'm a nice guy and I just pull over when someone is faster. They should automatically pull over for me when I want to pass."

Yeah, the fans love you, Mark. Almost all of us feel bad that you had one stolen from you, over a questionable rule infraction, in 1990. You are truly a nice guy. But Mark, guys like Kurt Busch, Tony Stewart, and Dale Earnhardt have the trophy on their mantle and you don't.