After a solid qualifying lap put him on the outside of the front row for Sunday’s Subway 500 at Martinsville Speedway, Ricky Rudd knew the questions about his future were coming. He was ready. “Let’s talk about Martinsville. I know what’s happening at Martinsville,” Rudd said Friday with a laugh. “No disrespect to everybody. It’s just not time to announce anything yet.” Rudd, in his third season driving for #21 Wood Brothers Racing and in his 31st season in Nextel Cup racing, said he realizes his fans want to know his plans. “We’re very aware of the support we have from them and the last thing we want to do is make it appear like we’re snubbing them or dusting them off,” he said. “It’s not intended that way. When everything comes out and all the hands get played, I think everyone will see there were reasons why things needed to be kept under wraps. The time has not come to divulge that. I wish I could.”(ESPN.com/AP)(10-22-2005)
