Motorsports

Martin: Title is likely not in cards

By BRANT JAMES
Published October 4, 2005

TALLADEGA, Ala. - Mark Martin is convinced his first driver championship after 23 years in NASCAR's top series is just not going to happen. He sensed a higher conspiracy after falling to ninth in points (138 behind leader Tony Stewart ) on Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway.

"It's hard to fight God's will and today God's will was for me to finish about last," he said after being involved in a Lap 19 wreck and finishing 41st. "I'd have a championship right now if it was his will, so we're going to take what we can get this year and see what happens going forward."

Martin, who has finished second in a season four times, suggested he would not be able to come back from the points deficit, but he has proved resilient despite his woe-is-Mark moods in the past.

"It hurts," he said. "What are you going to do? It would be hard to win this championship if I would have (finished in the) top 10. You figure it out."

STAYING PUT: Jamie McMurray said he still wishes to be let out of the final year of his contract with Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates , but expects he will drive that team's No.42 Dodge in 2006. He has signed to replace Martin in the No.6 Ford for Roush Racing in 2007.

"There's always a possibility," McMurray said. "I've really stopped worrying about that. It's not anything I can do. I've agreed to stay with Chip throughout my contract and if people above me get things worked out and it happens, I would rather be at Roush Racing next year because that's where my future is. It's tough to stay with a team you know you're not going to be with the following year, but you go out and drive your guts out and give 100 percent. But if I had my choice, I'd be at Roush next year."

Martin, who had planned to retire after this season, said he is "99 percent certain" he will have to return to the No.6. The best chance for Martin to get his wish is if a settlement can be worked out to allow defending series champion Kurt Busch out of his contract with Roush Racing a year early and join Penske Racing South in 2006. He has signed to replace the retiring Rusty Wallace in the No.2 Dodge.

If Busch is allowed to leave - he said the situation is "in the lawyers' hands" - Roush could perhaps work out a settlement with Ganassi to free McMurray to drive one season in his No.97 Ford.

NEXT BIG THING: NASCAR tested its next-generation prototype, the so-called "Car of Tomorrow" on Monday at Talladega with Roush Racing and Petty Enterprises. The new car is designed to be boxier for improved safety and more manageable control of speed and aerodynamics.

Roush's Greg Biffle might have wanted to hang around for a look. Though he claims all he knows about the vehicle comes second hand, he considers the changes "disastrous."

"I agree with the bigger car being away from the driver's side more - being a little taller - all of those things are good. But they still have to let us build our own race car," he said.

COMEBACK KID: Busch's resilience on Sunday was a spectacle to watch but did him little good in the standings. It did, at least, keep him from completely falling out of the Chase. Busch led on Lap 177 when he went into the wall entering the tri-oval because a right front tire cut down. He was able to pit after the lead pack passed, but restarted 25th after the caution. He rallied to finish eighth, remained 10th in the standings and actually fell 10 more points behind (to 180) leader Stewart.

SOLUTION: Drivers had various solutions for how to fix what appears to be an ever-dangerous situation at Talladega.

Massive, draft-sensitive packs of cars driving through 33-degree-banked turns over a 2.66-mile expanse at 180 mph present the constant threat of huge accidents. It happened twice on Sunday and had a major impact on the Chase. Jeff Gordon suggested drivers could make things safer by laying off each other's bumpers. Todd Parrott , crew chief for race-winner Dale Jarrett , suggested NASCAR make rules to prevent teams from reinforcing their nose pieces "like a freight train" to facilitate what is known as "slam-drafting."

Several suggested grinding down the banking to reduce speeds. Ryan Newman had a novel, throwback suggestion.

"We should put dirt on it," he said. "It's just so hectic and so mentally draining that it's nice to be able to take a full breath of fresh air."

[Last modified October 4, 2005, 02:15:30]