The Man That Can't Say No.

By Mark Young

As we near the end of NASCAR's "regular season" there are still many open seats for next year and there seems to be speculation and rumors flying around like crazy.  There are still some pretty coveted seats available and the short list of drivers to fill them is getting pretty thin on the talent meter.  The manufacturers are jockeying for position to get the next hot shoe in one of their cars and of late it appears that Ford is on the outside looking in.  But one venerable Ford driver appears to be post-poning his retirement plans AGAIN to bail out a life-long manufacturer and sponsor, the guy just can't say no. 

In case you haven't figured it out yet I am talking about Mark Martin.  We all heard the story about how he was ready to retire and have "fun" again racing in the truck series.  Then we saw Kurt Busch announce that he was leaving the Roush stables for greener pastures.  This left Jack with five cars and only four drivers worth their salt to drive them.  His futile and somewhat humorous attempt at reality racing, called the gong show, has found young faces that eventually might make it on the scene but as of now are a long way from ready.  So Jack convinced Mark to stay another year while he groomed one of the gong show winners to jump in the six car and humbly Mark has made the best of the situation though you can tell his heart isn't in it.

Last week Mark was quoted as saying that there is no way he will drive the 6 car in 2007, he was ready to step away and start another chapter in his life.  What none of us figured out is that chapter could very well be behind the wheel of another NEXTEL Cup ride, the venerable 88 from Robert Yates.  When I first read the story I figured it to be a rumor but did some snooping around and can see that there might be some truth to it.  Consider these thoughts that have been rattling around in my head and tell me what you think.

Ford has lost three marque drivers in the last 16 months to competing manufacturers, two of them past Series Champions in Busch and Jarrett.  With the exception of the Roush Gong Show they do not have a very strong driver development plan, take a look in the Busch series and tell me one young gun that drives a Ford that is ready or been given enough exposure to come to Cup.  Not only is Ford hurting for depth on the bench for drivers Robert Yates Racing is in a shambles having lost both of his drivers within months of one another.  Granted Yates has signed hot shoe David Gilliland, who I think will do fine with a little track time, but there is nobody else out there.  In steps Mark Martin to the picture.  Sure he says he is ready to step down but I think there is more to it than simply driving a car or chasing that elusive championship, I think that the allure of team ownership is what has Mark contemplating another season in NASCAR's highest level.  Mark has a young son who is quite a wheel man in his own right and owning a team (ala Dale Earnhardt) would be the perfect stepping stone for his son right?  Mark could step in, help Yates out financially and eventually buy him out when the time is right.

Well I don't care if another year in Cup will reap rewards for the long-term future or not, if Mark Martin agrees to come back "one more time" whether for Jack Roush or for Ford he is making a mistake.  He should be true to himself and do what HE wants.  You see the look on his face each week, tired, haggard, sad, as if he doesn't want to be there.  A far different look than when he climbs out his Craftsman Truck, where he is having fun.

There better be a huge pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for Mark if he stays, I hope there is and I look silly because this just doesn't seem like a very smart move.