Mark Martin to Hendrick Motorsports in 2009?
Tuesday July 1, 2008
Silly season is now in full swing. Dale Earnhardt Inc. announced today that Aric Almirola will drive their flagship #8 full-time in 2009. This announcement potentially frees up Mark Martin to move to Hendrick Motorsports to take over the #5.
Casey Mears will not be returning to the #5 in 2009. He is now rumored to be the top contender for the new Richard Childress Racing #33. Bobby Labonte was considered the front runner for the Childress seat but recently announced that he will be staying with Petty Enterprises.
It seems like there have been more top quality rides available this year. As a result more big name drivers are moving around to fill them than usual. We will need a scorecard to know who is who during the 2009 Daytona 500.
Comments
Didnt Mark Martin retire? I know he has one of those rocking chairs they give out when you call it quits. I’m not sure why Hendricks would opt for the Martin idea. Certainly seems like a stop gap measure and leaves them in a position of trying to hire someone after most all the qualified drivers sign deals elsewhere so Martin can continue to have a good time on Sunday’s. Dont get me wrong, I like Mark Martin…..a lot! He is one of the great class acts left. But it does not make any business sense to put him in the 5 car. Steve, how about one of these “open wheel sensations” that we have been dealing with lately. It could give the guys in the shop something to do every week doing major body work on the Kelloggs #5 cars that would get trashed every Sunday.
I hate to be an “I told you so” but I knew getting rid of Kyle Busch and keeping Mears was an absolute disaster. Rick gets whats coming to him on this one. He set the 5 car back to almost irrepairable damage when he made that boneheaded move.
the only reason why kyle is winning is cause toyota puts out more horsepower. with hendricks he wrecked more cars then finished and was costing the team money. now he jus thas so much power that he can stay out front of people, he sucks at side by side racing, can’t wait for juan to knock his ugly weird looking butt out, kinda like how spencer did to kurt. kyle is just a hot headed little spoiled rich kid who someone is gonna break his nose and give him a beat down, whish drivers were still as tough as they used to, Cale sure would of knocked him out by now.
Mark Martin is a driver Hendricks has wanted for a long time, Martin has won in his National series car and has taught the team a lot in that series in the few races. The knowledge alone and the mentoring he can bring to Brad for when he is ready is worth brining him in. and not only that look what he was doing in Ginn car that originally had hendrick motors before the DEI merger, he left on top of points. He will be back full time and will put the 5 car back on top like it was when Terry drove it. Martin just never had the power he needed at roush in recent years, he will have it now with top equipment. he will be in contention, I bet more wins then Dale Jr. next year, and not cause it was a fuel milage luck win.
Why is Stewart not having the same success with his high horsepower Toyota?
IDIOTS! Mark Martin made the right move. Kyle Bush did nothing for Hedricks, He is luckey and reckless. Martin is Honest gentleman and now has a chance with Hendricks to get a Daytona and/or championship. The best of the best go to the best, HENDRICK
I think Hendrick needs to get rid of Jeff Gordon! Jeff is washed up and doesn’t even try unless he has a car a rookie could win with.
If you notice if his car isn’t perfect he just pulls over and rides. “My car is just not good enough for me” Whine Whine !
Get someone in there that can Drive!!!
How about this scenario: for a $$$$$ boost and sponsors crawling all over Hendricks for the #5 car. Mark Martin to run a limited schedule in the #5 and mentor Danica Patrick to ultimatley take over the 5 ride? Sounds crazy and far fetched….but can you say L-U-C-R-A-T-I-V-E!?
Wow, what a combination. Mark can keep the car in the top 35 while Danica builds some experience.
You are right. We would be talking about MAJOR dollars. They would have to make the car bigger to accommodate all of the sponsors that would be drooling over that team.
HENDRICK, not Hendricks
1 800 ABCDEFG,
Any chance you can forward me your e-mail so that I can have you follow me around and correct me when I inadvertantly pluralize a name that should not be. By the way are you spelling Hendrick or yelling HENDRICK?
Makes a lot of sense to me. That team has been struggling. Put in a top tier driver and show what the #5 team can do. If they fail, then Hendrick needs to make changes. If they do well, which is likely, it gives a boost to the team, let’s them know they have what it takes. Obviously, it’s not a long term move, but it really isn’t a long term sport.
Congrats to Bobby Labonte on his loyalty. It would have been much easier to join RCR. I hope he’s the one driving the 43 to victory lane.
Itlook more like they are setting up a concolmeret and mak it a job where you go to work like every one else and get a pay check and make money fore you’r boss.And take the sport out!
What about Tony Stewart…. Put him in the #5 car
What about Tony Stewart in the #5 car?
Stewart in a Hendrick car? Those boys dont want his mediocre a**
will mark having a new paint job on his #5 car? because this same old paint on #5 car is getting old to look at. so, it will be awesome if mark having a new paint job.