Mark Martin to the 88?

[LMITOUT]

I read today that Martin will be in the 88 next year. That's funny as he completely denied the rumors that he was out of the #6 at the Bristol race.

If he's going to lie, at least say that they haven't decided yet or they are still talking about next year. Not "That's the first I heard of it. I know Jack (Rousch) didn't know that either until we read it today". Or, "I plan on driving the #6 next year".

Whatever. I know you can only hold about half of what they say in truth, but at least don't flat out lie about it and have a little tact.

[harvey lee]

I can believe he would leave Jack.Maybe not as wonderfull racing for Jack as one thinks.

[JohnMickish]

You guys act like RYR and Roush racing don't talk to each other. They are two teams under the Ford Umbella ala Toyota. They share engines and chassis now and then, and I'm sure that Ford is giving them both the same technical information. One team, two shops.

You have to wonder if RYR is that far off track or if DJ and Sadler just werent trying anymore. If then are out of the ballpark then they will need the services of Martin to show them what direction to go. Or else he will just use some Roush chassis to get it all done.

[LMITOUT]

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You guys act like RYR and Roush racing don't talk to each other.

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Never said that at all.

Just a post about Martin going to RYR. I'm not surprised by him going to the 88, but just tired of his talk all the time.

[Cyberfish]

Where are you reading this stuff? Martin is racing trucks next year, mabye a few cup races.

[LMITOUT]

Trucks??? That is sooo last week's news and more of Martin's coverup PR work.

It hasn't been officially announced yet, but it will be soon I'm sure.

[JohnMickish]

Do a search for Jayski's and you will find all the latest news and rumors. Heavy on the rumors.

[Cyberfish]

Ahhh Jayski's.... the nascar tabloid of the internet!

[OUTDOORNUT]

Martin will be in a Roush Truck for the full season. If rumors hold true he'll be doing a limited schedule with the 88 and a young driver to be named. Steven Leight will be in the #90 RYR Busch car for another full season. Robby Gordon's attempt to buy into RYR is NOT a dead deal, according to Doug Yates and his interview on XM. Sounds like they just had to put it on the back burner with Sadler leaving early and getting Gilliland signed and annouced, etc.

I still think if Martin does a limited schedule it would be with Boris and the #60 car. But then it might take Martin's limited schedule to get a big name sponsor to hop aboard that 88 car. I would not be surprised to see Motorcraft/Ford sponsorship going back to RYR!

[lawdog]

Mark Martin may have a whole new line of final year merchandise to sell...AGAIN! I'm so tired of this guy retiring and coming back. Either quit or don't but quit changing your mind. IF I bought, "Salute to you" merchandise in '05 I'd be screaming for my money back from this clown...

He's a great racer, but this is ridiculous! At least Rusty went out with some class...

[eyepatrol]

The "on again off again" deal is getting tiring to listen to. I like the guy and all, but I wish he would make up his mind. Don't be a Bret Favre and leave everyone hanging.

[LMITOUT]

Oh, now they (the Martin camp) are denying that Martin will be going to the #88. I have a hard time believing that though since he flat out lied about not driving anything but the #6 next year also. I think Martin has dug himself a hole and can't find the way out of his PR toilet bowl.

Anybody want to put some money down on him driving the #88 next year?

[OUTDOORNUT]

I don't think blaming Mark is fair, he seems to be the innocent bystander here. Remember NONE of this would even be in conversation if it not for the departure of Kurt Busch. (although I'll gladly take another year of Mark than have Kurt driving a Blue Oval anymore) Jamie was slated to drive the #6 this year, leaving way for Mark to run the Trucks. The guy went through some hellish personal experiences before he ever made a dent in the Cup Series, his travels through the ranks of Nascar were anything but storybook. Mark contributes a lot of who he is today to his late father and Jack Roush. So when Jack needed him back for another year......... are YOU going to say no to one of your best friends, someone that has given you everything you have today?

Lawdogs comment about buying "Salute to You" merchandise and it being worthless.......tell that to the Sadler, Mayfield, Busch, Mcmurray, Vickers, Mears, and Labonte fans. It isn't any different.

[harvey lee]

I agree with you Outdoornut.We dont always know all of the dealings of car owners and drivers and the changes that happen.Also,it gives forums like this something to yip about.

And they are all cheering for the 8 to beat the 24,right lawdog?

[LMITOUT]

I blame Martin for his poor handling of the media. He knows dang well whats going on. Does he have to tell the world exactly what's going on?? No. But at least do it tactfully. Now he looks like a liar only because of what he did to himself and his credibility continues to crumble. You'd think after being in the media for what seems like 85 years he'd know better by now.

He stated that he was driving the #6 next year when the "rumor" that he was done was leaked out. He didn't beat around the bush about it and said he hadn't heard that and neither has Jack. "News to him". yeah right.

Guess what story breaks the following week??? Yep, Martin out of the #6 in 2007 and at this time he said he had no plans of driving the #6 in 2007....completely opposite of what he said just a week or so earlier. The exact quote: "I'm not worried about next year, but I will tell you this: there never has been -- ever -- a consideration for me to drive the 6 car in 2007."

Hmmmmm. He must not have felt that way at Bristol when he was interviewed and said that he was still in the #6 as far as he and Jack were concerned..........

Martin bugs me. I saw a special on him and I was really suprised how big of a *bleep* he is. I didn't care for him before, and after that I really don't like him. He's not the "Mr. Nice Guy" everyone makes him out to be.

[OUTDOORNUT]

Consider yourself the minority. Your personal hatred is obvious, that is the best part of having 43+ drivers to choose to root on. But ask 42 of the 43 starting in the race on Sunday who is ONE of the most respected drivers on the track and they are going to say Mark Martin.

Heck he was a roughneck from Arkansas, did you expect him to be P.C., GQ, and a good race car driver???

I hated Dale Sr. when he raced, thought his words and actions were of Redneck standards, but was he great for the sport? He!! yes he was. Will the Cup series be better off without Mark next season..........we'll see!

I haven't seen, heard or read anything from any of the official parties involved with Mark, Roush, or Ford. Every single speculation has come at the hands of the media and the tabloid of Nascar.....Jayski. So is it really Mark bouncing back and fourth or is the media doing that for him?!

[LMITOUT]

I don't think it's the tabloids or media because they approach him with a question, he denies it, and then the following week the so-called rumor is proven to be true. That's not the media's fault for going to the source for answers and getting fed lines of talk.

Yes, I do not like him at all. If some would have seen that special about him away the track, I think there would be more that would agree with me. Like I said, I was very surprised how much of a dink he is to people "below" him and to the general public. I really couldn't believe what I was watching and how he was acting. A real jerk.

He may be a good driver to race with while on the track and that's why the other drivers respect him, but there may be a little Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde with this guy when away from the track.

[OUTDOORNUT]

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I don't think it's the tabloids or media because they approach him with a question, he denys it, and then the following week the so-called rumor is proven to be true.

Name ONE!

[LMITOUT]

Uhhh, I just named one in the posts above about him driving/not driving the #6 car next year. I think it was post #1 of this thread.

[JohnMickish]

Lmit, Martin was an blank hole until he quit drinking about 15 years ago. If you watched the same story I did they said that his wife was going to leave him if he didn't quit, and it changed his life forever.

As long as we are on the Martin kick, do any of you long time followers think the point penalty that Mark got back in 1990 or 1991 was fair or do you believe in a conspericy theory?

[LMITOUT]

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Lmit, Martin was an blank hole until he quit drinking about 15 years ago. If you watched the same story I did they said that his wife was going to leave him if he didn't quit, and it changed his life forever.

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Maybe that's why he's such an ___hole....the guy needs a drink!

What I saw was last year and nothing about his past. It followed him around to his dealership and to a local race track where he was slated to race and then decided he didn't want to and watched it from the luxury box. I bet the fans were happy that they paid money for a ticket with the legendary Mark Martin on the schedule for that night...little did they know that instead of watching him race on the track, they were watching him sitting behind a glass window in his nice, comfy chair.

[harvey lee]

I personally like the dude and he is a good racer.If he had some personal problems in his life I will not hold that agaisnt him as I myself am not perfect either,believe it or not.

We all make mistakes and they should not be held agaisnt us forever.

[LMITOUT]

Well like I said, I wasn't referring to the skeletons in his closet. In fact, I didn't even know he was a boozer.

[JohnMickish]

I didn't see that show, the one I saw was on Speed I believe, called something like "Behind the Scenes" or something like that.

I pretty much think that anyone that gets that famous and is that rich turns out to be a ____ hole. Everybody wants something from you. I heard a story about Dale Jr. and Kasey Kane that would maybe change a guys opinion of these two. I heard it from a girl that was trying to get into a private party with these two. Is the story true? I don't know cuz I wasn't there. Is the story believable? I think so but it didn't change my opinion because you can't believe everything you hear, read or see on TV, and I believe that what you see on TV isn't the real guy. Jeff, J.J., Jr., Mears and Matt are all included. IMO

[Sifty]

I always thought he was a good guy.

He does seem to give very veag (spelling) answers when someone comments on what is going on in the future. I would guess that he knows about 60% of what is going on and the rest is best guess.

Sifty