Regan Smith is more than an interested third party when it comes to whether Nextel Cup points leader Mark Martin will stick to his plan to run a part-time schedule. He’s the driver ready to replace Martin in the #01 U.S. Army Chevy when the series moves to Bristol Motor Speedway on March 25. “When I go to Las Vegas [next week] I might put a couple of dollars on it,” Smith said before practice for Sunday’s Busch Series race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. “I’m sure it’s going to be on the board soon. It’s a pretty big story. “I don’t know what the odds are. All I can say is if I was in his shoes and leading the points after Atlanta it would be tough for me as a driver to get out of the car.” Either way, Smith will have a ride at Bristol. Owners Jay Frye and Bobby Ginn have promised to put him in a fourth car, the #39, if Martin has a change of heart. They’ve even discussed using his Busch Series crew chief to run the show. Martin, off to the best start in his Cup career with a second in the Daytona 500 and fifth last week at California, has been adamant that he won’t change his mind. He insists he’s happy with the part-time schedule and that he’s looking forward to having an off weekend. He also has a history of changing his mind. He extended his 2005 retirement tour at Roush Fenway Racing into 2006 after owner Jack Roush lost Kurt Busch to Penske Racing. Smith has run through all the scenarios, including what would happen if the #01 was in the top 12 in points with him and Martin splitting the schedule. “How cool would that be?” Smith said. “Maybe it would put some pressure on NASCAR to make a decision.” There would be no decision. The way the Chase for the Nextel Cup is set up the top 12 in driver points make the field. Smith and Martin could run the car for the owner’s title, but not the overall championship.(more at ESPN.com), Ginn said on ESPN2’s NASCAR Now show Friday that he thinks it is 50-50 if Martin races at Bristol.(3-3-2007) UPDATE: Mark Martin said on ESPN’s NASCAR Now that he is not interested in running a full-schedule this season, is doing what he wants to do [running a partial schedule] and thrilled to be working with Regan Smith [who will run the #01 Chevy when Martin steps out]. Martin has no plans on changing his Nextel Cup schedule and says the best part of not running a full schedule is not worrying about those ‘stinking’ points. Martin however, would not say there is a zero percent chance he will not running a full schedule, but has no plans to.(ESPN’s NASCAR Now)(3-6-2007)
