Mark Martin is returning to NASCAR
full time. He's agreed to drive for powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports
next season in a final effort to win a championship that has eluded
him for 26 years.
Martin and team owner Rick Hendrick announced the deal pairing
the 49-year-old driver with one of NASCAR's top teams, today at
Daytona International Speedway.
Martin will replace Casey Mears in the Number 5 Chevrolet.
Hendrick is parting ways with Mears after this season.
Martin ran just 24 races last year for the now-defunct Ginn
Racing team. His contract was sold to Dale Earnhardt Incorporated
when Ginn walked away from NASCAR midway through last season, and
Martin is splitting his seat there with Aric Almirola this year.