Mark Martin has won two of the first three Craftsman Truck Series races this season. Credit: Autostock

Martin adds seven more Truck races to his plate

CONCORD, N.C. -- Mark Martin and Roush Racing have decided to add an additional seven races to Martin's 2006 Craftsman Truck Series schedule. Martin, who boasts two victories in the first three races of the season, will now run a total of 14 races in the Scotts Miracle-Gro Ford F-150 this season.

Mark Martin

"We are excited about it," said Martin. "It's been a blast driving the Scotts F-150. I've said for a long time that I believe that the Truck Series has the best racing in all of NASCAR and we've had a lot of fun doing it.

"We've kind of come out and set the bar high -- winning the first two -- but I'm telling you that the competition is really good in that series and it's a big challenge to go out and take on those guys every week.

"I'm excited to run a few more and I'm excited to be able to drive for Scotts for over half of the season," added Martin. "Hopefully we'll be able to go out and get a few more wins and give everyone something to cheer about with the No. 6 truck."

Martin was originally scheduled to run only seven events in the truck, but will now add races at both Martinsville events, Dover, Bristol, Loudon, Talladega and Phoenix, bringing his total to 14. Combined with his efforts in Nextel Cup, Busch and IROC, Martin is now scheduled to run a total of 63 races this season.

Roush newcomer David Ragan will also increase his schedule, adding events in the No. 50 Ford F-150. Ragan will drive the No. 6 Scotts Ford in the other 11 races when Martin is not competing.