CUP: Martin Lashes Out At Media

Sprint Cup

CUP: Martin Lashes Out At Media

Mark Martin feels disrespected by speculation that he won’t return to the Hendrick team in 2011...

Bob Pockrass | http://www.scenedaily.com | Posted July 23, 2010 Indianapolis, IN

Mark Martin is winless in the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Mark Martin keeps hearing talk that he isn’t going to drive the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports car next season, and after reiterating several times that he plans to return to the team, the speculation has him feeling bewildered, angry and disrespected.

Martin said he gave his word to Rick Hendrick in the middle of the 2009 season that he would drive the No. 5 car through 2011, and he still plans on doing so. Richard Petty Motorsports’ Kasey Kahne is signed to replace him in 2012 but Hendrick has not announced where Kahne will drive in 2011.

Despite Martin’s adamant stance, the speculation has continued. ESPN analyst Ray Evernham – who as a team owner brought Kahne to the Cup series in 2004 – said Friday he thinks Martin will step out of the car for Kahne for 2011.

Martin was calm but direct and passionate in response to the speculation Friday as he addressed the media at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“I’ve made myself perfectly clear over the last several weeks,” Martin said. “There’s no inclination of any change, but I will tell you this – there is no road map for me and my future. So don’t even start thinking about criticizing what I do in 2012 or beyond, because I don’t know. … I’m going to do what I want to do, but for now, I’m going to drive the 5 car. That’s what I’m going to do. That’s what I said all along.

“I feel very disrespected when the media doesn’t accept that because what that means is that you make me look like I’m about to get fired. That’s very disrespectful. That’s what you all are doing. It’s very disrespectful and I deserve better than that from you guys.”

My SPEED is devoted to the passionate fans who celebrate motorcycles, motorsports and the automotive lifestyle.

The speculation that Martin won’t return to the No. 5 team has grown as no word has come from Hendrick on Kahne’s situation and while Martin has struggled with one top-10 finish in the last 10 weeks and fallen to 14th in the standings. Martin won five races and finished second in the standings last year, his first with Hendrick after two years of running a limited schedule.

But is he having as much fun this year?

“Last year was the time of my life. I just had a week and a half off, and I’m damn glad to be back at the race track,” Martin said. “Just like I told you last year, racing is my life. And I don’t know what I’ll do if I was to ever lose that. And I’m not going to lose that anytime soon. It is my life. It is what I want to do. I’m happy to be here at the Brickyard and be surrounded with my team and my guys and strap in a race car.

Page 1 of 2