Mark Martin Stays In Current NEXTEL Cup ride
Don't expect Martin to bail on Cup ride, backup saysBy David Newton
ESPN.COM
MEXICO CITY -- Regan Smith is more than an interested third party when it comes to whether Nextel Cup points leader Mark Martin will stick to his plan to run a part-time schedule.
He's the driver ready to replace Martin in the No. 01 Chevrolet when the series moves to Bristol Motor Speedway on March 25.
"When I go to Las Vegas [next week] I might put a couple of dollars on it," Smith said before practice for Sunday's Busch Series race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. "I'm sure it's going to be on the board soon. It's a pretty big story.
"I don't know what the odds are. All I can say is if I was in his shoes and leading the points after Atlanta it would be tough for me as a driver to get out of the car."
Either way, Smith will have a ride at Bristol.
Owners Jay Frye and Bobby Ginn have promised to put him in a fourth car, the No. 39, if Martin has a change of heart. They've even discussed using his Busch Series crew chief to run the show.
"If he stays in it that's awesome for the team and it's awesome for our company as a whole," Smith said. "If he decides to get out of it I'm going to do my best to keep it running as well as he's been running."
Martin, off to the best start in his Cup career with a second in the Daytona 500 and fifth last week at California, has been adamant that he won't change his mind. He insists he's happy with the part-time schedule and that he's looking forward to having an off weekend.
He also has a history of changing his mind. He extended his 2005 retirement tour at Roush Fenway Racing into 2006 after owner Jack Roush lost Kurt Busch to Penske Racing.
"I think it's going to be a split-second decision," Smith said. "I think he'll decide after the race at Atlanta. You've just got to go with your heart at that point."
more on Mark Martin remaining in current Cup ride
ESPN.COM
MEXICO CITY -- Regan Smith is more than an interested third party when it comes to whether Nextel Cup points leader Mark Martin will stick to his plan to run a part-time schedule.
He's the driver ready to replace Martin in the No. 01 Chevrolet when the series moves to Bristol Motor Speedway on March 25.
"When I go to Las Vegas [next week] I might put a couple of dollars on it," Smith said before practice for Sunday's Busch Series race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. "I'm sure it's going to be on the board soon. It's a pretty big story.
"I don't know what the odds are. All I can say is if I was in his shoes and leading the points after Atlanta it would be tough for me as a driver to get out of the car."
Either way, Smith will have a ride at Bristol.
Owners Jay Frye and Bobby Ginn have promised to put him in a fourth car, the No. 39, if Martin has a change of heart. They've even discussed using his Busch Series crew chief to run the show.
"If he stays in it that's awesome for the team and it's awesome for our company as a whole," Smith said. "If he decides to get out of it I'm going to do my best to keep it running as well as he's been running."
Martin, off to the best start in his Cup career with a second in the Daytona 500 and fifth last week at California, has been adamant that he won't change his mind. He insists he's happy with the part-time schedule and that he's looking forward to having an off weekend.
He also has a history of changing his mind. He extended his 2005 retirement tour at Roush Fenway Racing into 2006 after owner Jack Roush lost Kurt Busch to Penske Racing.
"I think it's going to be a split-second decision," Smith said. "I think he'll decide after the race at Atlanta. You've just got to go with your heart at that point."
more on Mark Martin remaining in current Cup ride
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home