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Mark Martin will rejoin his DEI teammate, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. at Hendrick Motor Sports.
After weeks of speculation it was made official today that Mark Martin, NASCAR’s annual retiree, will move from part time status at Dale Earnhardt Inc to a full time ride in the recently vacated #5 out of the Hendrick stable. Martin will run full time in 2009 and then again become a part timer in 2010 with a yet to be named co-driver.
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The part time shared ride deal was “exactly what he needed” when he “retired” from Roush Racing a couple of years ago. The ability to pick what races he participated in was to be a great transition to retirement. Even though he had retired twice before moving to DEI.
What exactly does Martin bring to Hendrick Motor Sports? Is it a calming veteran presence? No, it can’t be. This isn’t a group of young guns needing a mentor. Hendricks other three drivers are as experienced as Martin and more successful. Jimmy Johnson and Jeff Gordon are both multiple champions. Junior hasn’t been the last guy introduced at the Waldorf Astoria yet, but he is a many time winner on the Cup circuit. Is Martin being brought in to shore up a sagging win total? Again, not likely–wins haven’t been a problem for the Chevy team historically.
Martin’s signing with Hendrick is a totally one sided endeavor. Rick Hendrick is throwing Martin a bone to try and win a championship, pure and simple. Martin was never able to seal the deal while driving the #6 at Roush. He went to DEI to win races and hasn’t been successful at that. Now he will latch on to the fourth car at Hendrick and try to make it into a team capable of winning a championship. Will his abilities, again driving on all types race tracks enable him to win the ellusive championship?
It isn’t bloody likely. The Kellogg’s/Carquest Chevy has been a pig over the last couple of years and adding Martin to the seat won’t turn it around enough to give him a shot at the championship he obviously still craves. A craving that Martin claimed was gone when he moved into the part time situation at DEI.
You have to wonder if Mark has signed a contract with Tony Stewart yet to drive for his race team in 2011 and 2012. Someday, Mark, your prince may come.
Photo Credit: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
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