Mark Martin

[eyepatrol]

Okay, so he is only running some 16 or 17 races this year. Yeah....but.....he was going to retire a couple years ago too!

I know it's very, very early on in the season, but with Martin leading the points, if he STILL leads the points when his last race is up, who thinks he'll stay in the 01 and race the ENTIRE year???

Reason I ask is he's made promises and said "that's it" in the past, yet he's gone back on his word. Could he, would he go back on his word if he's leading the points??? If I heard correctly, I think his car owner said he could run the rest of the year if he wanted to(?)

PS - along those lines of racing the entire year.....how bizarre would that be if in his first year he switches over to a Chevy after racing 20yrs with Roush in a Ford and he finally wins a cup championship???

[lawdog]

Actually I think he's scheduled for 23 races, but who knows with him. He's still obviously very competitive and while you never want to stay too long like DW did, why not run when you obviously can. On the other hand, he surely doesn't need to either financially or to establish his place among top tier drivers. The guy has 5 IROC championships, the most Busch wins ever and was second in Cup points how many times? He doesn't need to prove anything.

I personally think he'll stick to his part time schedule this year, but honestly it won't matter anyway, I doubt he'll still be leading the points come time for Bristol when he is first scheduled to bow out (not coincidentally the first C.O.T. race).

[harvey lee]

I think he would depending on other comitments and how far the sponsors would extend the package to extend the season for him.

He has had a very good start, but that could all end in 2-3 straight races.

[eyepatrol]

It's just that he's so "wishy-washy". I agree he doesn't have anything left to prove. He's made his mark (no pun intended) in NASCAR as being one of the greats and a great embassador for the sport.

I can't hardly put myself in his shoes, but if I were leading the points when my last race was scheduled to be up, I'd have a hard time leaving. I'd think it's gotta be hard leaving when you know you've still got it and can still bring it week in and week out.

[Eric Wettschreck]

If he has an honest to goodness shot at a cup, and can keep sponsorship, he's sticking around.

Yeah, he's been around and got praise and everyone likes him and blah blah blah and big group hug, but he WANTS a cup.

[HOF#13]

Agreed...if he can stay in the top 10 and has the sponsorship to run a full schedule I think he will. Then again, like Lawdog said, Bristol is not that far off???

Oh, I give up..here's my official answer..I don't know.

[bubs]

THEY ALREADY SAID THAT IF HE WANTED TO RUN THE FULL SEASON THAT THEY WOULD HAVE A CAR FOR HIM. SO IT IS UP TO HIM

[Cyberfish]

I say if he is having fun, go for it. He never promised anyone he would retire. he was planning on retiring and changed his mind, no big deal. When he can't win anymore, then he will hang it up in my opinion! Go MM!

[JohnMickish]

I don't think that Ginn Racing can put up 36 (or whatever it is) competitive cars. They get their motors from Hendrick but the rest is all theirs and I don't believe they have the resources to stay competitive. Daytona is a dump shoot and Martin is good at Cali. We should maybe let a few weeks go by before we hand out the trophy.

[lawdog]

Quote:

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He never promised anyone he would retire.

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What about all the people who bought the "salute to you" last year T-shirts and hats???

[wally20]

I think it would be pretty hard for him to get out of the car IF he has the points lead or even in the the top 10. Like its been said hard to believe what he'll say or do. Still can't figure out this idea of taking it easy and not racing as much, when doing cup, busch and truck races So can't see how 13 more races would make a difference.

Funny - I've always been a fan of Martin, even though he drove fords. My die-hard ford friends refer to him as trader now and don't like him. Can't wait to see him win in a CHEVY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[eyepatrol]

Quote:

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My die-hard ford friends refer to him as trader now and don't like him

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If they think he's a traitor and hate him, then they never really liked HIM...just the brand of car he drove. IMO, a true fan will like their driver, no matter who they drive for.

[OUTDOORNUT]

I don't think it is to far fetched that his friends may dislike him now. He did state they were diehard Ford fans. Many of Marks fans became fans because they were Ford folks and he was at the time one of the few competative Ford drivers every week. Same went for Jarrett....his fan count had to just about bottom out when he left for MRW. I was never a big fan of Jarrett, but cheered for him while driving a Ford. I have been following Mark since I really got into Nascar some 12 years ago. I was in complete shock when he went to Ginn and almost felt betrayed. If he drives a Roush Busch car, Wood Brothers Truck...I'm a rooting for him. When he drives that 01 Chevy......not so much. Nascar fans have the highest Brand loyality of anyone, that would include manufactures also. Not much of a surprise.

If Jr. jumps ship @ DEI and went to MRW and Toyota, how many fans would consider him a trader and dislike him?!

MILLIONS!!!!

[Cyberfish]

Quote:

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Quote:

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He never promised anyone he would retire.

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What about all the people who bought the "salute to you" last year T-shirts and hats???

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Ooooops!

[PierBridge]

It's all car for me.......Gordon in a Dodge I'm hatin on him like everbody else.

[tipup]

I have to say that I have been with Mark since I started to get into NASCAR 12 years ago. For me it is about the driver not the car that they are in, after all, all the cars are the same anyhow except the band specific stickers that they put on, and now with the car of the future it is totally just engine of a certain make. So I am behind Mark 100% weather ford dodge chev or even yota. they is great person with a atitude i wish all the cup drivers had!!!