[disco stu]

Hello all,

First of all, my congrats to Matt Kenseth and Jimmie Johnson.

During the course of the tv coverage yesterday which I was watching (ESPN/ABC), the commentary team said that, next season, following Junior's departure from DEI, the number 8 car will be shared by Mark Martin and AJ Allmendinger.

Or, at least, that's the impression that I got from what they were saying. If I misunderstood, maybe someone could just clarify what they were actually saying for me!

Anyway, If I have got this right.....er...I don't get it!

What is the benefit in having two drivers share one car?

I presume that all points scored by "the car" itself contribute to the team's score, but, surely, both of those drivers have zero chance of winning the title before the season even starts?

Or, maybe I'm just being a bit too F1 about this!!!

[jks812]

It will be shared by Mark Martin and Aric Almirola. The benefit is that Almirola is a young driver and he'll have Mark teaching him. Also Mark only wanted to run part time. No neither one of them have a chance to win the title. Almirola will get seat time plus the benefit of learning from a great driver. Mark gets to help keep the car in the top 35 in case Almirola can't. At least that's the way I see it.

[disco stu]

Ty for the reply jks.

So, basically, Martin acts as mentor to Almirola who maybe takes the drive on full time in 2009?

Am I correct in my assumption that Martin is a veteran at this stage who is winding down his career?

I guess that solution offers those two drivers a win-win.

Would they each have their own (title) sponsors (ie. different color schemes), or will they drive for a DEI sponsor?

Finally, the "Top 35" thing.

Is that to do with qualifying/pre-qualifying?

[jks812]

Martin will be a mentor and I don't think Almirola could have a better one. I hope he gets the ride full time for 2009, I think he's going to be a pretty good driver.
Yes Martin is getting to the end of his career. And even without a championship, I think he's one of the best there is.
The #8 will be sponsored by Army all year, from what I understand.
The top 35, in my opinon, is there to make sure the top tier teams qualify for every race. Because heaven forbid they should all have to make the race on speed or go home.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by disco stu

Ty for the reply jks.

So, basically, Martin acts as mentor to Almirola who maybe takes the drive on full time in 2009?

Am I correct in my assumption that Martin is a veteran at this stage who is winding down his career?

I guess that solution offers those two drivers a win-win.

Would they each have their own (title) sponsors (ie. different color schemes), or will they drive for a DEI sponsor?

Finally, the "Top 35" thing.

Is that to do with qualifying/pre-qualifying?

just to clarify the "Top 35" thing, aka "Chosen": each car owner receives points based on the car's finish in a race, the same points that the driver gets; however, if the car attempted to qualify and missed making the cut, the car will get owner points for the qualification attempt - the points begin with "place 44" and continue forever such that 44th gets 31 points (43rd place -3 points) and each subsequent place subtracts 3 points to a minimum of 1 point.