Mark Martin says he has not had discussions about driving the No. 88 car. Credit: Autostock

Martin tops Yates' wish list to drive No. 88 Ford

RYR considering former drivers Rudd, Ward Burton for seat

RICHMOND, Va. -- Mark Martin, Ricky Rudd and Ward Burton are the top choices of Robert Yates Racing to drive the No. 88 Ford opposite rookie David Gilliland in 2007.

	Ricky Rudd's only track time this season was when he relieved Tony Stewart because of injury. Credit: Autostock
	MARTIN NOT RETURNING TO 6 •   Martin confirms he won't return to No. 6 car in 2007

"We really want a veteran driver to work with David," Doug Yates, the co-owner of RYR, said during qualifying for Saturday night's Nextel Cup race at Richmond International Raceway.

A newspaper report early in the week quoted three sources from Ford Motorsports saying that Martin would replace Dale Jarrett in the 88.

Benny Ertel, Martin's business manager, denied the report.

"I haven't heard a word from Doug or Robert Yates, and I'm sure I would have," he said. "Everybody's playing the guessing game right now. I recall Mark saying that his plans were to run the Truck Series full time, and in a perfect world he'd like to run 10-12 Cup races in conjunction with that.

"That hasn't changed."

Martin acknowledged that current owner Jack Roush would like for him to buy into ownership of another team, but said, "I'd like to say that's never going to happen."

He laughed about reports that he is headed to RYR.

"You know, next year we're probably gonna see a two-headed man driving the 88," he said. "I hope it doesn't come out that I've got two wives next week. That's about where that is. There's no serious consideration given from me to that at this point."

Yates said there had been no discussions with Martin, but didn't rule out something in the future.

"Who wouldn't like to have Mark Martin?" he said.

Yates said he's close to getting a sponsor for the 88, which lost UPS when Jarrett announced he was leaving for Michael Waltrip Racing next season. He said once the sponsor is set then the process of selecting a driver will move forward.

Rudd, who will turn 50 on Sept. 12, stepped away from the sport this season to decide on his future. Burton, 44, has been out of the sport for about two seasons.