Martin to Run Full Schedule in 2010

It looks like Mark Martin will be making another run for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship in 2010.  NASCAR.com is reporting that his contract with Hendrick Motorsports has been adjusted to run all 36 races in 2010.  Martin, running full time this year, originally agreed to run just 26 races next season.

"It means a lot to drive the No. 5 Chevy for Rick [Hendrick] and for Hendrick Motorsports," said Martin, 50, of Batesville, Ark. "I'm in the best condition of my life, I'm recharged, and I'm motivated. Going to the race track every weekend is still really fun, and that's the key. There's more gas in my tank."

Mark Martin will run a full Cup schedule with Hendrick Motorsports in 2010.
(Photo by cbgb_chopper on flickr.com, CC 2.0.)

After 10 races in 2009, Martin has a win (at Phoenix) and three poles, but three finishes of 40th or worse have relegated him to 15th in the point standings.

The 2009 season started off well for Martin and the #5 team, starting the Daytona 500 from the outside pole. But then the team suffered engine failures in the next two races at California and Las Vegas. The team quickly bounced back with consecutive poles at Atlanta and Bristol, and then four consecutive top-tens, including the win two weeks ago at Phoenix. Martin got caught up in the first big crash at Talladega and finished last, but rebounded to a fifth place finish at last week's Crown Royal 400 at Richmond.

See the full story at NASCAR.com.