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Just hours after Joe Gibbs Racing president, J.D. Gibbs, said that the NASCAR Sprint Cup team didn't have a replacement for the injured Denny Hamlin, the team announced that the 54-year old Mark Martin would be the team's replacement.
“We've been real fortunate to have never been in this situation with the need to find someone to fill in for an injured driver,” said J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing. “A lot goes into a decision like this but we are really pleased to have someone of the character and caliber of Mark Martin to fill in while Denny is out. Obviously we're not exactly sure how long that is going to take, but Mark's career speaks for itself and our team knows it will have the opportunity to compete for a win every week.”
Martin will make his first start for JGR at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday, April 7. Martin has made one previous appearance for JGR when he started in the NASCAR Nationwide Series last March at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and finished second. Currently Martin is the primary driver of the No. 55 Toyoita at Michael Waltrip Racing sharing driver's duties with Brian Vickers.
Martin has one of the most distinguished careers in NASCAR history having made his first Sprint Cup Series start in 1981. Over his 31 years in the sport he has made 858 starts in the Sprint Cup Series and compiled 40 wins, 271 top-five and 449 top-ten finishes. He has earned 56 pole awards as well. He also has 49 career wins in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.
“I'm happy to have this opportunity to help out JGR, FedEx and Denny,” said Martin. “Hopefully I can keep those guys up front and compete for wins while Denny heals up.”
In 48 career starts at Martinsville Speedway Martin has earned two wins, 12 top-five and 25 top-ten finishes along with two poles. He has a career average finish of 13.3 at the famed short track known as the paperclip.
“I just hate not being able to be in the car right now, but I really appreciate Mark being able to fill in for me,” said Hamlin. “Like everyone in NASCAR, I have a tremendous amount of respect for Mark and I know he will keep that FedEx Camry up front until I get back behind the wheel.”
Another issue, which came up during the media teleconference. was Hamlin's chances of making NASCAR's playoffs called “The Chase.” Dr. Jerry Petty stated that Hamlin will be out of action for at least five races; which would drop him out of the top-ten in points and not qualify for the Chase. On the other hand if Hamlin could win one or more races and finish in the top 20 he would make the “The Chase.”
Although Hamlin will fall out of the points top-10 because of missing races, theoretically he could qualify for the Chase for the Sprint Cup through the wild-card route with at least one victory.
“I think he's definitely thinking about that,” Gibbs said. “But, at the same time, your safety is more important than those points. We'll definitely keep it in the back of the mind that we still have a shot.”
“We've been real fortunate to have never been in this situation with the need to find someone to fill in for an injured driver,” said J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing. “A lot goes into a decision like this but we are really pleased to have someone of the character and caliber of Mark Martin to fill in while Denny is out. Obviously we're not exactly sure how long that is going to take, but Mark's career speaks for itself and our team knows it will have the opportunity to compete for a win every week.”
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| Photo: NASCAR |
Martin will make his first start for JGR at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday, April 7. Martin has made one previous appearance for JGR when he started in the NASCAR Nationwide Series last March at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and finished second. Currently Martin is the primary driver of the No. 55 Toyoita at Michael Waltrip Racing sharing driver's duties with Brian Vickers.
Martin has one of the most distinguished careers in NASCAR history having made his first Sprint Cup Series start in 1981. Over his 31 years in the sport he has made 858 starts in the Sprint Cup Series and compiled 40 wins, 271 top-five and 449 top-ten finishes. He has earned 56 pole awards as well. He also has 49 career wins in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.
“I'm happy to have this opportunity to help out JGR, FedEx and Denny,” said Martin. “Hopefully I can keep those guys up front and compete for wins while Denny heals up.”
In 48 career starts at Martinsville Speedway Martin has earned two wins, 12 top-five and 25 top-ten finishes along with two poles. He has a career average finish of 13.3 at the famed short track known as the paperclip.
“I just hate not being able to be in the car right now, but I really appreciate Mark being able to fill in for me,” said Hamlin. “Like everyone in NASCAR, I have a tremendous amount of respect for Mark and I know he will keep that FedEx Camry up front until I get back behind the wheel.”
Another issue, which came up during the media teleconference. was Hamlin's chances of making NASCAR's playoffs called “The Chase.” Dr. Jerry Petty stated that Hamlin will be out of action for at least five races; which would drop him out of the top-ten in points and not qualify for the Chase. On the other hand if Hamlin could win one or more races and finish in the top 20 he would make the “The Chase.”
Although Hamlin will fall out of the points top-10 because of missing races, theoretically he could qualify for the Chase for the Sprint Cup through the wild-card route with at least one victory.
“I think he's definitely thinking about that,” Gibbs said. “But, at the same time, your safety is more important than those points. We'll definitely keep it in the back of the mind that we still have a shot.”