Martin will run Burton's Busch events for Roush

Mark Martin, who made his return to the NASCAR Busch Series this weekend at Michigan International Speedway after four years away from the series, has picked up three additional races.

Mark Martin

Martin originally was scheduled to drive a limited Busch schedule this season in conjunction with Roush Racing teammates Matt Kenseth and Jeff Burton.

But when Burton signed a contract with Richard Childress Racing for 2005 little more than a week ago, his participation in Roush's Busch program was curtailed.

Roush Racing president Geoff Smith said at MIS, where Martin Saturday makes his first Busch start since 2000, that the Arkansas veteran would run races at Dover International Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway and Phoenix International Raceway.

"There were three Busch races that Jeff was scheduled to run," Smith said. "Mark Martin is going to pick up the slack on those three, with sponsorship from Pennzoil and Cottman."

Martin owns the series record for victories with 45 scored between 1987 and 2000, with 126 top-10 and 93 top-five finishes in 200 starts. He led 7,736 laps in those events.