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It appears that Joe Gibbs Racing may have jumped the gun when it announced that Mark Martin would fill in, in the No. 11 Toyota, for the injured Denny Hamlin for the foreseeable future.
Martin, it is now known, will only drive for Hamlin at next week's race in Martinsville. Then Brian Vickers will take over.
Late on Friday afternoon Michael Waltrip Racing, where Martin shares a ride in the No. 55 Toyota with Brian Vickers, issued a release stating that Martin would race for JGR for only one race, the April 7th event in Martinsville, VA.
Two hours later JGR issued a release stating the Brian Vickers would take over for the injured Hamlin. "We were a bit premature in determining Mark's status past Martinsville however," said J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing.
"We're real happy to have the opportunity to get Brian in our Cup cars and with him driving Nationwide for us we think we have some continuity there that is beneficial.
"We really appreciate everyone at Michael Waltrip Racing and Toyota for working with us through this process," added Gibbs. "The good thing for us is that we have drivers the caliber of Mark and Brian to help fill in until Denny comes back."
Martin will now resume his scheduled driving duties, starting with MWR at the Texas Motor Speedway on the following Saturday. Thereafter he'll continue with the team at Kansas Speedway and Richmond International Raceway. Then team co-owner, Michael Waltrip, will wheel the car.
"I think it is great that a driver of Mark's caliber is available to support our fellow Toyota team during this difficult time for them. We wish Denny a speedy recovery," MWR co-owner Michael Waltrip said in the release.
"Mark is a big part of our organization and is committed to our sponsors, especially Aaron's and Toyota. We have a lot of goals yet to reach this year and we are very focused on accomplishing them."
In JGR's initial press release it said Martin would drive the No. 11 while Hamlin recovered from a fractured vertebra suffered in a last-lap crash in the March 24 race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif.
29-year-old Vickers, who formerly drove for Red Bull Racing in the Cup Series, is trying to resurrect his career after taking time off to recover from a rare medical condition. He has 264 career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts over his 11-year career on the sports' top level. He has two wins, 24 top-five and 63 top-ten finishes.
He has one start thus far this season having finished eighth in at Bristol Motor Speedway for MWR. Last season, Vickers made eight starts for MWR with three top-five and five top-ten finishes.
Martin, it is now known, will only drive for Hamlin at next week's race in Martinsville. Then Brian Vickers will take over.
Late on Friday afternoon Michael Waltrip Racing, where Martin shares a ride in the No. 55 Toyota with Brian Vickers, issued a release stating that Martin would race for JGR for only one race, the April 7th event in Martinsville, VA.
Two hours later JGR issued a release stating the Brian Vickers would take over for the injured Hamlin. "We were a bit premature in determining Mark's status past Martinsville however," said J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing.
"We're real happy to have the opportunity to get Brian in our Cup cars and with him driving Nationwide for us we think we have some continuity there that is beneficial.
"We really appreciate everyone at Michael Waltrip Racing and Toyota for working with us through this process," added Gibbs. "The good thing for us is that we have drivers the caliber of Mark and Brian to help fill in until Denny comes back."
Martin will now resume his scheduled driving duties, starting with MWR at the Texas Motor Speedway on the following Saturday. Thereafter he'll continue with the team at Kansas Speedway and Richmond International Raceway. Then team co-owner, Michael Waltrip, will wheel the car.
"I think it is great that a driver of Mark's caliber is available to support our fellow Toyota team during this difficult time for them. We wish Denny a speedy recovery," MWR co-owner Michael Waltrip said in the release.
"Mark is a big part of our organization and is committed to our sponsors, especially Aaron's and Toyota. We have a lot of goals yet to reach this year and we are very focused on accomplishing them."
In JGR's initial press release it said Martin would drive the No. 11 while Hamlin recovered from a fractured vertebra suffered in a last-lap crash in the March 24 race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif.
29-year-old Vickers, who formerly drove for Red Bull Racing in the Cup Series, is trying to resurrect his career after taking time off to recover from a rare medical condition. He has 264 career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts over his 11-year career on the sports' top level. He has two wins, 24 top-five and 63 top-ten finishes.
He has one start thus far this season having finished eighth in at Bristol Motor Speedway for MWR. Last season, Vickers made eight starts for MWR with three top-five and five top-ten finishes.