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CUP: Martin Sporting ‘Big Old Smile’ After Cutting Back
Mark Martin is happy to be returning to a part-time schedule in 2012...
Kenny Bruce  | http://www.scenedaily.com  |  Posted January 13, 2012   Daytona Beach, FL
Mark Martin has never won the Daytona 500. (Photo: Getty Images)
The grin says it all.

“Do you see this big old smile on my face?” Mark Martin asks.

“Yeah buddy, I'm telling you, I'm thrilled.”

At 53, it seems Martin is starting over. Again. In 2012, he’s scheduled to run 25 races for Michael Waltrip Racing. He will likely also run a handful of races in the Nationwide Series (where he’s already penciled in for at least one with Turner Motorsports), and don’t be surprised if he’s seen competing in a truck race or two before all is said and done.

Martin’s idea of scaling back, it seems, is to stay busy.

And to hear him tell it, he couldn’t be happier.

The schedule rekindles memories of 2007 and 2008 when he pared down his number of races while driving for Bobby Ginn/Dale Earnhardt Inc. It’s worth mentioning that Martin actually was leading the points in ’07 before stepping out of the car after the first four Cup races of the season.

But a deal’s a deal and Martin kept his word, exiting the seat after opening the year with four straight top-10 finishes.

A three-year stint with Hendrick Motorsports followed, highlighted by a five-win season in 2009 that saw Martin finish second in points for the fifth time in his career.

The last two years weren’t as successful as Martin dropped to 13th in 2010 and 22nd last season.

When Hendrick signed Kasey Kahne, Martin was left searching for a ride. And that eventually led him to MWR, an organization five years old but still trying to establish itself.

It was, Martin said, an ideal opportunity. He’s happy, rested and ready to be back behind the wheel.

“I've had a great off‑season,” Martin said. “Had the time of my life with Hendrick Motorsports and made friends for life there. But this is a new challenge from an organization standpoint, a lot of new faces, and then a lot of guys I've worked with before. I couldn't believe it when I walked through the shop the first time. You can't believe how many people I've worked with before that are at MWR now.”

That he was given the opportunity to not only choose the number of races he’ll compete in this year, as well as which ones, made the decision to join MWR more palatable, he said.

Co-owner Michael Waltrip is expected to make six starts in the team’s No. 55 car, with a third driver handling the remaining five races.

“So it's just exactly where I want to be in life right now,” Martin said. “I'm really excited, thrilled to have a company like Aaron's behind us, [a] huge supporter of NASCAR racing, and I think it's going to be fun, the things that we're going to do, Michael and I are going to do.

“I'm expecting to do a lot of smiling this year.”

SceneDaily.com • Kasey Kahne to Hendrick, bevy of new crew chiefs highlight list of best offseason moves

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Kenny Bruce

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