#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.”(Speed Channel)(9-15-2006)
UPDATE: Martin’s truck deal nearly complete:The deal for Mark Martin to drive a Roush Racing Ford next year in the Craftsman Truck Series is all but signed, Roush Racing President Geoff Smith said Sunday. Smith said he plans to have the paperwork done this week, and hopes that will put an end to questions about Martin’s plans for 2007. “He won’t be able to run a full-time Cup program,” Smith said prior to the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway. “You can’t run them both. The schedule doesn’t work. It wouldn’t preclude him from running…a few races.” Martin insinuated Friday that Smith might have had other plans for him in addition to the truck deal, but Smith said that is not the case. “We had details with Ford Motor Company and details with our sponsor that we just had to finish out,” Smith said. “We got the handshake from the sponsors this weekend, so now I’m going to go get the paper done. “That was just a reminder that he could go do something else if I didn’t get with it.” So Martin will not drive the #6 car he has piloted for the last 19 years at Roush Racing. The decision on who will drive the car will come in the next two weeks. All four of Roush’s development drivers – Todd Kluever, Danny O’Quinn, David Ragan and Erik Darnell- are candidates for that ride, Smith said. Kluever had initially been penciled in to drive the car. “There will be a rookie driver in the #6 car, just like our plan always was,” Smith said. “Within two weeks, our choice of that will be finalized and announced. … Jack [Roush] is the lead vote. “It’s got to be over quickly because we’ve got a marketing timetable with [sponsor] AAA that requires it to be over.” The Roush Racing ride and Robert Yates Racing #88 are the only two established teams with rides currently open for next season. Robert Yates said Saturday that he still had hoped that Martin would drive the #88 car for his team next year. “Owners do that – they put out the trial balloons and hope that the drivers give them a call,” Smith said.”That’s a common technique. But that’s not [feasible]. Mark’s head is him becoming the truck championship [contender].” Smith said that Martin still might drive some Cup events in the #60 No Fear car, which has an alliance with Roush Racing. (SceneDaily.com)(9-17-2006)
