 | | Mark Martin continues to evade questions about his future. Credit: Autostock |
By David Newton, NASCAR.COM
September 16, 2006
01:24 PM EDT (17:24 GMT)
LOUDON, N.H. -- Robert Yates says Mark Martin is interested in driving the No. 88 car for his organization in 2007.  |  | WILL HE OR WON'T HE? | |
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"I know Doug [Yates] has talked to him and that certainly is a scenario we all would enjoy doing,'' said Yates, who co-owns Robert Yates Racing with his son, Doug. Yates is looking for a veteran driver to replace Dale Jarrett, who is leaving the 88 next season to drive for the new Toyota team of Michael Waltrip Racing. He said finding a sponsor is the first priority, but admitted Martin would make that easier. "Certainly, he makes it very attractive to sponsors,'' Yates said. "It's a name that would sell very well. '' Doug Yates said last week at Richmond International Raceway that Martin, Ricky Rudd and Ward Burton topped his wish list. While the organization would consider splitting up the schedule among several drivers, Robert said the preference is one driver. Martin, who is seventh in points heading into the Chase for the Nextel Cup that begins Sunday at New Hampshire International Speedway, said he's made no decision on his future beyond driving in the Truck Series next year. He denied having any conversations with Doug or Robert Yates. "I haven't wasted a breath on it this week,'' Martin said. "I feel great. We made the Chase. I don't need a job. If I needed one, I'd already have something worked out, you can believe that.'' Yates said he would consider dropping from two to one car in 2007 if he can't get the right sponsor, but he doesn't foresee that happening. "We have turned down some things that were less than we wanted,'' said Yates, who lost UPS as a sponsor when the company opted to follow Jarrett to MWR. "We're holding out for the best one, and I think the best one is on the table.'' | 
