NASCAR Sprint-Cup Series
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CUP: Martin Locked Into 500 With Owner Points From FAS Lane Racing
Veteran Mark Martin is guaranteed a starting spot in the forthcoming Daytona 500...
Bob Pockrass  | http://www.scenedaily.com  |  Posted February 14, 2012   Charlotte, NC
Mark Martin has never won the Daytona 500. (Photo: Getty Images)
Michael Waltrip Racing has struck a deal with FAS Lane Racing to get the points from the team, which placed 34th in the 2011 owner standings, in order to lock Mark Martin into the Daytona 500.

NASCAR does not allow teams to sell points but does allow for a transfer if the original owner still keeps a minority interest in the team. The points are valuable because the top 35 from the previous year’s owner points are locked into the first five races of the upcoming season.

MWR needed points for one of its teams because it expanded from two teams (David Reutimann and Martin Truex Jr.) in 2011 to three for 2012 (Truex, Clint Bowyer, and a third car driven by Martin, Michael Waltrip and a driver to be named).

The Martin/Waltrip car will be the No. 55, and it appears that car has gotten points as part of a points transfer from FAS Lane.

FAS Lane, owned by Frank Stoddard, had assumed control and the points of Latitude 43 Motorsports from team owner Bill Jenkins after the 2010 season.

Now Jenkins apparently owns a piece of the MWR No. 55 car, which Martin will drive in the Daytona 500.

The Budweiser Shootout entry list has Jenkins listed as the car owner of the No. 55 car, which will be driven by Waltrip in that event.

MWR co-owner Michael Waltrip has said he wanted to guarantee his sponsors that they would have a spot in the Daytona 500 field. Waltrip was unavailable for immediate comment after the Budweiser Shootout entry list was released.

FAS Lane could still be locked into the Daytona 500 if it puts former Cup champion Terry Labonte in its car. Labonte would be locked in because he would be eligible for a past champion’s provisional. Labonte and Ken Schrader are scheduled to drive for FAS Lane in 2012, according to NASCAR. The team has not announced its driver.

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