On Friday, it was announced that Casey Mears would leave the #5 car at the end of the season. Now the search is on to find a driver to drive the #5 car in 2009. 2009 would be the third season in a row and the fourth time in ten years that Hendrick had to find a driver to drive the #5 car.
Terry Labonte drove the car until his semi-retirement in 2004.
Kyle Busch was great in the car when he drove it the three seasons that he was with Hendrick. Four wins, Rookie of the Year in 2005, to name a few. He was let go at the end of 2007 because of the signing of Dale Earnhardt Jr. Since the departure of Hendrick, Kyle Busch has driven his butt off at Joe Gibbs, winning five races and is currently first place in the points standing.
Casey Mears drove the #25 in 2007. He won the Coca Cola 600 in 2007. For 2008, he went over to the #5 when Dale Jr. took over the #25 (which became the #88).
Here's my top choices for replacements for the #5 car:
Mark Martin: Currently drives a few races in the Nationwide Series for the team. He is rumored to go full time for one more shot at the Cup or to share the ride with Brad Keselowski.
Tony Stewart: He has been rumored to go here. This would become a powerful team, if he does. He is also considering going to Haas to become part owner of that team.
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3 months ago
The #5 was the corner-stone of HMS. Sad to it devolve into an also-ran.
Geoff Bodine invested a lot of time and effort making that ride a winner in the '80's. He won the Daytona 500 in it.
Ricky Rudd almost won a championship in the #5 before Labonte's '96 crown.
Kyle Busch drove it better than it ran.
I guess it's for the Cassill kid to drive. Hope he's ready when the time comes.
3 months ago
HMS is going to be looking for a driver who will be with them for awhile and has great potential. I highly doubt it will be an older NASCAR driver but probably someone being pulled up from the Nationwide or Truck Series. If there is a older driver they will be sharing the driving time with a younger driver.
3 months ago
Can you say Tony Stewart I think the ride will be his.
3 months ago
Brad Keselowski and Mark Martin share it, with Brad running the full NNS schedule again, then BK should take it over full-time in 2010
3 months ago
Mark Martin ... full time.
from 3 months ago
Seconded. Nobody else can make that car respectable again.
3 months ago
If it's Mark, it would be full-time and not part-time. Neither Brad or Landon look really for Cup. Could see Smoke or Truex being candidates also. Don't forget Truex has ties to Junior and could easily run better at HMS.
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