#6-Mark Martin said Friday that hes still waiting for Roush Racing to give him a contract for his Craftsman Truck Series ride for next season, but until he gets it, hes keeping his Nextel Cup options open. The only thing he knows for sure he wont do next year is drive the Roush #6 Cup car hes manned since 1988. And that may be the reason his NCTS deal isnt done. Todd Kluever, the heir apparent for the #6 Roush Ford Fusion, has struggled mightily in the Busch Series this year, leading to rumors that he might not move up to that ride next year. And that, in turn, has fueled speculation that Roush would try to get Martin to stay another year in the Cup car. Nothing Martin said Friday at New Hampshire International Speedway quashed those rumors. It is my intention to drive the #6 truck (in 2007), Martin said. We just dont have it done yet. Im not worried about it. Weve had this planned for over a year now. They (Roush) didnt present me with a contract a year ago because they knew they were going to talk me into driving the #6 car, I think. I think they havent proceeded very quickly on this truck thing this year, because they knew something else might happen. I know (Roush Racing President) Geoff Smith and Im not saying hes manipulative or anything like that, but hes pretty smart. Until the deals done, though, Martin hasnt closed any doors. I would imagine if theyd present me with a contract, Id sign it, then that would be it, Martin said of the Roush truck deal. But they havent yet. Some details still arent worked out yet on it. In the meantime, there are some very interesting opportunities.(Speedtv.com)(9-15-2006)
UPDATE: Roush Racing president Geoff Smith said he has reached a verbal agreement with Mark Martin and his sponsors for Martin to drive Roushs #6 Truck Series entry full-time next season. Smith also said Martins replacement in the #6 Cup car would come from among four Roush prospects: Todd Kluever, Erik Darnell, Danny OQuinn or David Ragan. Kluever was the anointed choice but has lost his locked-in status on the basis of a disappointing showing in the Busch Series this year. The plan for almost two years has been to have Mark be the flagship driver for our truck program, Smith said Sunday morning at New Hampshire International Speedway. There were some open business issues involving a sponsor and Ford that we had to get out of the way. From Marks point of view, they might be getting out of the way a little slower than they should have. From my point of view, they probably got out of the way in a more typical fashion. On a handshake basis, those details are out of the way and now I have to get the paperwork done, said Smith. I think its a formality now.
As for the #6 AAA Cup car that Martin is vacating, Smith said, The #6 Cup car will be driven by one of our rookies next year. That was our plan from the get-go and that plan will stay in place. The only thing thats changed at all about the plan is that we have more of a luxury of being able to put three more rookies in our program and make it an evaluation process involving four drivers instead of just Todd Kluever. Smith said the winner from among the four rookies would get the Cup ride full-time. It will not rotate among the drivers. Well just pick one and that will be it. The apparent deal with Martin opens the door for the veteran to do a 10-12 race deal with another Cup team next year, perhaps with [#88] Yates’ or Boris Saids #60 Ford team.(Speedtv.com)(9-17-2006)
