Mark Martin To Run Sprint Cup Full Time in 2010

NASCAR driver Mark Martin will drive the No. 5 Chevrolet full time in 2010.

Originally, Martin's contract agreement was for him to drive full time in 2009. In 2010, he was to run a part time schedule with Hendrick Motorsports. 

Team owner Rick Hendrick said, "Mark continues to be one of the best race car drivers in the world. He's already made an incredible contribution to Hendrick Motorsports, and our entire company is excited about running another full season and winning races with him in 2010."

JR Motorsports Nationwide series driver Brad Keselowski was to be running a limited schedule in the Sprint Cup series.

Martin recently has said that he would love to come back and run full time in 2010, leaving the door open for negotiations with Hendrick.

"It means a lot to drive the No. 5 Chevy for Rick and for Hendrick Motorsports," said Martin, 50, of Batesville, Arkansas. "I'm in the best condition of my life, I'm recharged, and I'm motivated. Going to the racetrack every weekend is still really fun, and that's the key. There's more gas in my tank."

This does leave a lot of questions for Keselowski, who, coming off of his first career win at Talladega, said that he wanted to run full time in the Sprint Cup in 2010.

Hendrick has a few options with the affiliate team, Stewart Haas Racing. He could also move Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Nationwide team, JR Motorsports, to the Sprint Cup.

Martin will continue to work with crew chief Alan Gustafson. When the weekend comes, it will have been two years that the two worked together in the Nationwide series at Darlington, where the pair finished second.

No details were released about sponsorship for 2010.

Sources: jayski.com, foxsports.com.