Martin: "I am not a pessimist. "I just look at things differently than some guys." Credit: Autostock

Martin: Family fine with another Cup season

As plans change, veteran adjusts 2006 NASCAR schedule

MARTINSVILLE, Va. -- Mark Martin could have been content with all this: more time with his family, a full-time ride in the Craftsman Truck Series and most importantly, to leave Nextel Cup racing on his own terms, at the top of his game.

Subway 500 Qualifying Results Pos. Driver Speed Time 1. T. Stewart 98.084 19.306 2. R. Rudd 97.992 19.324 3. R. Wallace 97.931 19.336 4. R. Newman 97.911 19.340 5. D. Hamlin 97.835 19.355 Complete Lineup: click here

Perhaps that is why he remains so conflicted about putting all of his future plans on hold to run the No. 6 Ford one more season, as a favor to car owner Jack Roush.

"I came out of Talladega very frustrated with myself for getting into the situation of having to go forward and needing to go forward one year," Martin said. "But I'm really at peace with it because of what Jack Roush has done for me and for what my team has done for me."

At the heart of Martin's divided loyalties was the promise he made to his wife Arlene and son Matt. After years of being on the road, being away from his family, Martin was ready to give them the time they so deserved.

"I said I was going put my family first and as soon as it came up, Jack Roush went to sit down with Matt and Arlene," Martin said. "That's how I'm getting around putting my family first, because if they said no, then I wouldn't do it.

"They were fine with it, (although) they're on their own."

Martin's second goal -- the start of his Truck Series career -- is in stasis.

	Bullring Problems Mark Martin has struggled on the short tracks in 2005, recording just one top-10 finish: Track Start Finish Bristol 34 31 M'ville 22 3 Richmond 14 15 Bristol 25 16 Richmond 4 13 M'Ville 35 ?

"I have been disappointed from time to time that I wasn't able to go on and do my truck racing like I planned," he said. "What I am excited about is I have already tested my truck.

"Kevin Harvick has agreed to move the No. 6 over to my truck, which I would say that is a super stand-up guy, and I have agreed to race that truck six times next year. There is a plan for that truck to run a full schedule and to build that team and have it more ready for me in '07 than it would have been in '06."

Martin's third goal was to simply enjoy what would have been his final season in Nextel Cup. In that way, 2005 has met or exceeded Martin's expectations.

Despite starting 35th in Sunday's Subway 500, Martin is fifth in the standings, 51 points behind Tony Stewart and Jimmie Johnson. With a win at Kansas two weekends ago and 16 top-10 finishes, Martin has avoided leaving the sport in the way so many drivers do, struggling to run near the front.

"That hurts me bad," Martin said. "I love this sport. I love the tradition. They were the heroes when I was growing up, wishing I could drive. I don't want to see that.

"I'm so happy to see (open-wheel star) Gil de Ferran do what he did. I'm so happy for Rusty (Wallace), who may still win the championship. He's got as good a shot at it as anybody in the Chase."

This was supposed to be a year-long retirement party for Martin and Wallace. While Rusty is savoring his final five races as a full-time driver, Martin is trying to remain focused on the present -- and let the future take care of itself.

"Rusty and I are good friends," Martin said. "We have the roots that go back 30 years, so I appreciate that. But, at the same time, this is right for me. I'll feel great this time next year."

In a way, Martin is the antithesis of Rusty Wallace. While Wallace can see the bright side of nearly any situation, Martin is more of a pragmatist.

"I am not a pessimist," Martin said. "I just look at things differently than some guys. I'm the opposite of Wallace.

"Wallace is an eternal optimist, but I couldn't live that way. If I thought every race I was going to win, I'd be brokenhearted 99 times out of 100. I don't want to be brokenhearted. I want to say, 'Man, we've got a good car and I'm going to give it everything I've got.' That way, if I run second, I don't have to be brokenhearted."