Mark Martin will make '06 his last in the No. 6. Credit: Autostock

Martin confirms he won't drive No. 6 Ford in 2007

FONTANA, Calif. -- Mark Martin on Friday confirmed a previous NASCAR.COM report filed last weekend that he will not drive the No. 6 Roush Racing Ford in 2007.

"I'm not worried about next year, but I will tell you this: there never has been -- ever -- a consideration for me to drive the 6 car in 2007," Martin said.

	The No. 6 Ford has been synonymous with Mark Martin for nearly two decades. Credit: Autostock
	SIX-SPENCE Only one thing is for certain next year when it comes to the No. 6 Ford: Mark Martin will not be its full-time driver.  •   Complete story, click here

Martin's primary focus currently is performing well enough in the Sony HD 500 at California Speedway to stay ahead of Kasey Kahne in the Nextel Cup Series point standings.

With two races remaining before the Chase cutoff, Martin leads Kahne by 90 points.

"Everybody's in this frenzy about what I'm going to do in 2007 -- it's just not important right now," Martin said. "What's here in front of me is what's important to me. I've tried to help these guys and keep the ship on track, and if we don't produce then so be it.

"But it hasn't been for lack of effort. I've been as dedicated this year as I have any year in my racing career, and I'm proud of that because I didn't know if I was going to be able to do it in February. I really didn't know.

"But once we got to it, it's uncontrollable. It's all about the performance of the racecar. I guess I'm proud of that."

Martin went on to reiterate the well-chronicled sentiment that he had no desire to compete in the Cup Series this year, but because team owner Jack Roush and sponsor AAA needed him, he chose to stick it out for another season.

In hindsight, he's quite pleased with the decision.

"I know that my time is limited, and I'm at peace," he said. "I wasn't going to be in the 6 car in '06 and Jack and the team really needed me, and AAA wanted me to come back and do this thing and I certainly am glad that I did it. It's been a great and rewarding year.

"I've never once this year thought or considered driving it again in '07. I've driven it 19 years. That's enough for the 6 car and me."