Mark to Hendrick?

[dawg]

Rumor has it that MM is moving to the 5 car for 1 last run at a Championship.

Question.....If he does make this move, will he then do anoyher season for a farewell tour? For the fans, of course.

Give me a break, this sthick is wearing thin.

You could put Mark in the 18 car, & he wouldn't win a championship. Before you diehard MM fans jump all over me. Let me say, I've watched Mark probably longer tham most. I watched him weekly before he ever went to ASA.

Everyone talks about how " smart" Mark races. How he will move over & let people through. How gentelmanly he races, etc. etc.

While these are true, they are not nescessarily what makes a Champion.

Yes I know Mark has won a loy of races. Give him a car that can doninate. He is perfactly capable of dominating with it.

To me, Mark is the consumate, Points Stroker. Give him a good car, & he'll put it in the chase.

Bottom line, being in the Chase, & actually WINNING the thing, are miles apart.

Mark just has never shown me the kind of agression it takes to win it all.

This is not to say he hasn't had a great career, he has. I just don't see a Championship, no matter who he's driving for.

[HUDSON HORNET]

Rumor has it that MM is moving to the 5 car for 1 last run at a Championship.

Where'd you hear that rumor? 

Question.....If he does make this move, will he then do anoyher season for a farewell tour? For the fans, of course.

I doubt it, ---
for the fans, of course.   
I didn't get the feeling that Mark was real comfortable with the first farewell tour. It seemed more like a media thang, and he was, more or less, encouraged to go along with it.   

Give me a break, this sthick is wearing thin.

I bet Mark would agree.
It's a media thang. Remember, racin' is now considered "entertainment".
By the media, of course.
Oh!
And The Brian.   

You could put Mark in the 18 car, & he wouldn't win a championship.

I think you've over-estimated my abilities. I can't afford to put Mark in ANY number car. 

Before you diehard MM fans jump all over me. Let me say, I've watched Mark probably longer tham most. I watched him weekly before he ever went to ASA.

Man-0-MaN!
You ARE diehard, aint'cha?   
You have me beat by a few years, amigo.
When Handsome Harry retired, Mark Martin became my last 'favorite' driver.
Now, I have none -- by choice.
But I still cheer for Mark.   

Everyone talks about how " smart" Mark races. How he will move over & let people through. How gentelmanly he races, etc. etc.

I'm guilty as charged.   

While these are true, they are not nescessarily what makes a Champion.

WoW!
You just burst MY bubble!
But, I can't say I disagree.   

Yes I know Mark has won a loy of races. Give him a car that can doninate. He is perfactly capable of dominating with it.

YeS he has and I agree.

To me, Mark is the consumate, Points Stroker. Give him a good car, & he'll put it in the chase.

Mr. Consistency?   

Bottom line, being in the Chase, & actually WINNING the thing, are miles apart.

Worse yet, it could come down to fractions of an inch apart.

Mark just has never shown me the kind of agression it takes to win it all.

At ALL?!
Hmmmmmmmm
Didn't you just mention that Mark HAS won a lot of races?
Can't have it BOTH ways, Dawg. 

This is not to say he hasn't had a great career, he has. I just don't see a Championship, no matter who he's driving for.

You might be correct, Dawg ---- and I don't totally disagree with your assessment(s) here.
I think, for me, the niceness Mark displays outweighs his on track performance.
Just as there are some NASCAR fans who don't like a particular driver because of their off-track personalities and/or attitudes,
Mark's demeanor impresses me favoribly, both on AND off the track.
And, for some fans, it's not necessarily if a driver won the race,
but rather how they run the race that counts in the grand scheme of things.   

As for "farewell tours" ---- and farewells in general, ............... I think Mark's decision to hang up the full-time driving attire had a lot to do with what was goin' on personally on the home front.
With his son Matt showing interest in a professional driving career, Mark's attentions were divided, and I think Matt became his father's priority.
Mark is an EXCELLENT mentor, ..... gotta give him that credit.
And his son needed mentoring. Who better to git 'er done, than Mark?

Now, when Matt finally came to his young senses, and decided driving a race car professionally wasn't what he REALLY wanted,
I think that left a void for Mark, and he decided to explore his options based on that.
He realized a new-found freedom to hand pick and choose for whom he'd drive, as well as when.
That must be a welcomed change for a change, and I think Mark is really enjoying where his career is now.

Mark is a well respected driver, and respected by just about EVERY driver he's ever shared the track with, and/or mentored along the way.
IMO, Mark qualifies as a class act, ...... win, lose or draw.
If I had to pick a driver that comes close to Mark's demeanor, I reckon it'd be Johnny Benson, or Jeff Burton --- two other drivers I appreciate.

But, that being said, I understand your point, Dawg.
And I say, different strokes for different folks.
Which is why NASCAR is such a cool form of "entertainment" --- dare I say 'sport'?

I like Mark Martin ----- BUT,..............................
on the flip-side, I like Kyle Busch, too.
And, as an added bonus ------- I can get away with it.   
How cool is THAT?!

BTW,       Dawg!   

[Tyyrus]

Where'd you hear that rumor? 
I doubt it, ---
for the fans, of course.   
I didn't get the feeling that Mark was real comfortable with the first farewell tour. It seemed more like a media thang, and he was, more or less, encouraged to go along with it.   
I bet Mark would agree.
It's a media thang. Remember, racin' is now considered "entertainment".
By the media, of course.
Oh!
And The Brian.   
I think you've over-estimated my abilities. I can't afford to put Mark in ANY number car.  Man-0-MaN!
You ARE diehard, aint'cha?   
You have me beat by a few years, amigo.
When Handsome Harry retired, Mark Martin became my last 'favorite' driver.
Now, I have none -- by choice.
But I still cheer for Mark.   
I'm guilty as charged.   
WoW!
You just burst MY bubble!
But, I can't say I disagree.   
YeS he has and I agree.
Mr. Consistency?   
Worse yet, it could come down to fractions of an inch apart.
At ALL?!
Hmmmmmmmm
Didn't you just mention that Mark HAS won a lot of races?
Can't have it BOTH ways, Dawg. 

You might be correct, Dawg ---- and I don't totally disagree with your assessment(s) here.
I think, for me, the niceness Mark displays outweighs his on track performance.
Just as there are some NASCAR fans who don't like a particular driver because of their off-track personalities and/or attitudes,
Mark's demeanor impresses me favoribly, both on AND off the track.
And, for some fans, it's not necessarily if a driver won the race,
but rather how they run the race that counts in the grand scheme of things.   

As for "farewell tours" ---- and farewells in general, ............... I think Mark's decision to hang up the full-time driving attire had a lot to do with what was goin' on personally on the home front.
With his son Matt showing interest in a professional driving career, Mark's attentions were divided, and I think Matt became his father's priority.
Mark is an EXCELLENT mentor, ..... gotta give him that credit.
And his son needed mentoring. Who better to git 'er done, than Mark?

Now, when Matt finally came to his young senses, and decided driving a race car professionally wasn't what he REALLY wanted,
I think that left a void for Mark, and he decided to explore his options based on that.
He realized a new-found freedom to hand pick and choose for whom he'd drive, as well as when.
That must be a welcomed change for a change, and I think Mark is really enjoying where his career is now.

Mark is a well respected driver, and respected by just about EVERY driver he's ever shared the track with, and/or mentored along the way.
IMO, Mark qualifies as a class act, ...... win, lose or draw.
If I had to pick a driver that comes close to Mark's demeanor, I reckon it'd be Johnny Benson, or Jeff Burton --- two other drivers I appreciate.

But, that being said, I understand your point, Dawg.
And I say, different strokes for different folks.
Which is why NASCAR is such a cool form of "entertainment" --- dare I say 'sport'?

I like Mark Martin ----- BUT,..............................
on the flip-side, I like Kyle Busch, too.
And, as an added bonus ------- I can get away with it.   
How cool is THAT?!

BTW,       Dawg!   
[/quote

Dam HH you took the Words  Right out of my Mouth  ! Guess Birds of a Feather Fly ta Gether Amigo ! I can only add one other comment ! I really wish Marky would continue with his Daytona Proto type Racing  , man did he ever run the wheels off that Car during his session last year at Daytona !   

[HUDSON HORNET]

OOppS!   
Those were YOUR words?   
Man!
I'm sorry!   
I reckon I shoulda given you the credit.   

But, on the high-flyin' side ---- the view sure is great from up
here on high. And a fine feathered flock we make.   

[Busch Babe 899]

Mark should be the '91 Champ...that was a crock, the way they bent the rules they put out, so it ended up his engine was illegal, when it was legal by ONE memo received by the teams....

[Busch Babe 899]

As for Mark to Hendrick, he's already driven the # 5 Nationwide car at least once (won in it at Vegas)...so it's not that far fetched...and it will be the first time in my life I've cheered for a Hendrick driver. 

[Tyyrus]

here on high. And a fine feathered flock we make.   

Darn I'am thinkin yer right again ! Dam Tough to Soars with us Eagles when were surrounded by them Dam Turkey Buzzards lol ! 

[dawg]

Where'd you hear that rumor? 
I doubt it, ---  No rumor just idle speculation, on my part.

It's a media thang. Remember, racin' is now considered "entertainment".

Racing has always been about entertainment. It just used to be about honest entertainment. Thank you Tony Stewart, since you called them on it. Seems like we've seen many less "fantom" debris cautions.

You ARE diehard, aint'cha?   
You have me beat by a few years, amigo.

I doubt that it's by many. All tho, when I first started watching stock cars. There were a good many HH's running. Probably explaining why there are so few remaining examples of this fine mark.

Hmmmmmmmm
Didn't you just mention that Mark HAS won a lot of races?
Can't have it BOTH ways, Dawg.  conf%20(8

Yes actually, I can.  Mark has had a long, & respected career. Starting in '81, 710 races, 35 wins. too many good finishes, to go into. The results of the aforementioned, " smart driving" But, (& as Pee Wee Herman says"Everybody, has a big but) throughout his career, he has shown, (at least to me) that he is unwilling to push out of his comfort zone. To risk the 30th finish if the risk doesnt work out.
To win championships, sometimes a driver has to hang it out, go for it ,when the results can get ugly. This is the real gist of my post.


And, for some fans, it's not necessarily if a driver won the race,
but rather how they run the race that counts in the grand scheme of things.   

I agree, for years my guy was Lake Speed. Mostly he didn't win, & I never expected him to. All tho I was delighted when he did, at Darlington for his one, & only victory. Fans who jump from winner, to winner, don't get much respect from me. Johnny Benson, was, & is a particular favorite of mine.


BTW,       Dawg!   
[/quote

Thank You,  I meant no disrespect to Mark. His success in the IROC, shows his talent.
 As I said earlier I watched Mark weekly in the '70's. One of his chief rivals, then was Rusty. They were about equal in talent, & equipment. I think the difference in temperament, is mostly the reason that Rusty won a championship, & Mark hasn't.

[PlanoHarvickFan]

As for Mark to Hendrick, he's already driven the # 5 Nationwide car at least once (won in it at Vegas)...so it's not that far fetched...and it will be the first time in my life I've cheered for a Hendrick driver. 

Ha ha, think you can stand that, BB.

[HUDSON HORNET]

Dawg wrote: "I meant no disrespect to Mark."

HUDSON HORNET replies --- I didn't read any disrespect for Mark in your post.
And HH continues ----- ideas, thoughts and/or opinions may not always be the same,
or in agreement, ---- but, by golly, everyone has a right to express whatever their's are
without being given grief for doing so.   
That's MY opinion.   
Others might agree.
Or not.   

[Tyyrus]

Actually Dawg...you have a point  , Mark has always been rather a conservative driver ! That is what has made him one of the most successful and consistent drivers in any series. But then again he has not achieved a Championship within Nascar . So I guess your analogy could be correct. But as HH has stated that does not stop Mark's Fan's which I happen to still be , to continue to appreciate what he has accomplished and has still to achieve !    I look forward to your future Posts...Dude ! 

[CodeBlueEMT]

 I equate Mark Martin's lack of a Cup Championship to the similar situations of some great NBA players that never got a NBA Championship ring. For the NBA guys, it was Michael Jordan that spoiled their place in history. Martin has been denied by some great drivers. Nobody cares about second place. Does the old man have a legit chance to win a Cup Championship if he runs full time? I'd say probably not. I'm glad he's still racing.

 Shayne

[Tyyrus]

Well Said Shayne ! 

[20forLogano]

Agreed with the points about Mark.  As could he win it, sure.  Mark can still get it done and HMS has the people and equipment to get it done.  Most likely though he won't.  He is just there to keep that seat warm and in the top 35 next year for Kesolowski to jump in 2010

[Blu]

Mark has the skill and a  newfound determination I believe. And that should be a scary combination for everyone else.

I truly think he will give it his all next year and I HOPE HE WINS IT ALL , even if he does drive for HMS Ill personally be pulling for him to win!! Hows that for a shocker from me??

Mark is well deserving of that elusive Cup