Its never easy... (look whos in the 84 car at Homestead)

"Martin in the #84 at Homestead: Monday [11-10-2008] on “SIRIUS Speedway” on SIRIUS NASCAR Radio, host Dave Moody is reporting that Mark Martin will drive the #84 Red Bull Toyota this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway, replacing Scott Speed. Host, Dave Moody: “Since taking over for the released AJ Allmendinger four races ago, Speed has recorded an average finish of 34.2, including a 40th yesterday in Phoenix. The team has fallen out of the Top-35 in owners’ points now. They now trail the Michael Waltrip Motorsports #47 team by 16 points with one race to go in the battle for that all important 35th position in the owner standings. An official announcement is expected from the team later this afternoon. Mark Martin, of course, enjoys a long relationship with Red Bull Racing general manager Jay Frye, for whom he drove at the former MB3 and Ginn Racing teams. He ran his final scheduled event for Dale Earnhardt, Inc. yesterday in Phoenix. He, of course, will move to Hendrick Motorsports full time in 2009. His arrangement with Red Bull Racing is, we are told, for one race only and will have no impact on the team's long term plans for Scott Speed.(SIRIUS XM Radio PR)(11-10-2008)"

RGM hopefully has their crap together for Homestead. This could get ugly...

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Permalink Reply by wilks7 on November 10, 2008 at 5:18pm

RGM needs to unload fast on friday and put down a good qualifying run and run a smart race on sunday and the top 35 thingy will take care of itself

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Permalink Reply by Zippy on November 10, 2008 at 5:28pm

I agree to a point but Just keeping out of trouble and no messing around with people like the # 77 or # 42 and stuff like that would be best. He needs to run the cleanest race of his life and all will be well.
Just a thought, wonder if they can cut a little HP and make the engine as reliable possible and just be generally conservative with the car ? I know that is against what Robby would want to do but under these circumstances it might be wise.
Finishing 21st and getting 100 points would be just dandy !!

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Permalink Reply by Country Boy on November 10, 2008 at 5:58pm

i would suggest we all go to church Sunday morning where we can

1) take up a collection to help sponsor Rob in '09 or
2) pray that the 7 ends the night in the top 35

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Permalink Reply by Lance on November 10, 2008 at 6:21pm

I don't mean to be negative but that just sealed the deal. We are out of the top 35 after Homestead.

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Permalink Reply by Partman on November 10, 2008 at 6:32pm

I think Lance may be right, out of the top 35 with Mark Martin in the car. Mark will run up front for sure. He knows how to run a smart race and get the points needed. That's what the guy is hired to do and he will do it more than likely. It just sux but hopefully they will only have 43 cars in Daytona and the 7 can get in but it ain't looking real good. I'd be nervous if I worked for Robby right now. No sponsor announcement yet, out of the top 35 looming and a down economy isn't giving me a warm fuzzy feeling! Might be time to sell to Penske!

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Permalink Reply by Lance on November 10, 2008 at 6:48pm

What I don't get is why would Mark do that? What is the benefit? He turned down Rick Hendrick's offer to drive the 5 at Homestead, which made sense but this sucks.

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Permalink Reply by JoCo on November 10, 2008 at 8:11pm

I believe the benefit is most likely a nice, large check with several zeroes before the decimal point. But I could be mistaken, maybe he views the 84 team as a charity case and is working pro bono ;)

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Permalink Reply by Ms Gibby on November 10, 2008 at 10:58pm

I think Mark Martin is becoming a regular 'ho'.

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Permalink Reply by JoCo on November 11, 2008 at 12:17am

He does sell himself quite freely...hopefully he's found a nice guy to settle down and retire with in Rick Hendrick :-P

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Permalink Reply by Mouseking7 on November 10, 2008 at 6:50pm

I refuse to go negative on this race as well! It will be what it will be! We have raced 35 races so far to NOT have to worry about this crap, and here we are!!!!!! Lets all hope for the best and move on!!!!!

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Permalink Reply by brian campbell on November 10, 2008 at 7:02pm

who knows what will happen mark is always in top quality equipment and the 84 is not top quality equipment so he will be ridding around in the back just like speed.not to worried YET!!!

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Permalink Reply by Saluki7 on November 10, 2008 at 7:47pm

Mark will finish 15th or better, he'll have a good car for Sunday and he'll race it smart. Ambrose has beaten RG and will stay on the lead lap. That is the goal for RG, stay on the lead lap or at worse -1. It will be close and he needs to get 5pts for leading a lap.