Mark Martin is surrounded by different faces in 2007. Credit: Autostock

Martin looks to do things his way for a long time

New Ginn driver will dabble in all three series, run some in Fords

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Mark Martin fans should be thrilled to know the veteran of more than two decades in NASCAR plans to be around for as many more, he hopes in alliance with new team owner Bobby Ginn.

Since coming on the scene midway through last season Ginn, in his low-key fashion, has illuminated the landscape like a supernova.

PRESEASON THUNDER •   Complete Coverage

Securing Martin's services, expanding the former MB2 Motorsports from two teams to three for the 2007 season, establishing a Busch team and hiring former championship crew chief Gary DeHart, two-time Daytona 500-winning crew chief Slugger Labbe and Cup race-winning crew chief Peter Sospenzo were all major steps.

Martin, who in recent years has been accused of being somewhat pessimistic, couldn't be more thrilled as he anticipates his first new deal since spending the last 19 seasons with owner Jack Roush.

"We haven't spent much time educating the fans and the media about what a terrific opportunity this is," Martin said, "to be on the ground floor and help be one of the architects for the future of Ginn Racing, just like Roush Racing.

"This is not a short-term endeavor for me. I see it being long term -- as long as Roush was. I wouldn't be surprised to be with Ginn in 19 years."

Martin was a laugh a minute, given that a year ago he talked about having a full-time Craftsman Truck Series ride at this time -- rather than looking at nearly 40 races between NASCAR's three national series.

"I might be driving the Truck, [20 years from now]," Martin said, quickly correcting any possible misconception. "I mean, the tractor-trailer truck -- the transporter. But I expect to be around -- I expect to be involved in racing."

And fans of Martin as a Ford driver can also take heart by the fact that, as he came into Daytona International Speedway's media center for a Jackson Hewitt Preseason Thunder news conference, he also proclaimed his ability to cross-promote.

Garage PassMark Martin tests the Chevy Monte Carlo in Daytona Sign up for TrackPass now BUY THE NEXTEL i836

"Shhh, just don't talk about it," Martin said, while laughing, to former Ford teammate and current Dodge driver Elliott Sadler, when Martin took the stage and Sadler asked how Martin's No. 01 Ginn Racing Chevrolet was running.

"I'm still a Ford dealer, remember," Martin said of his dealership in Batesville, Ark. "And the car business ain't too good, either."

Martin said that, rather than be troubled by the dichotomy, he's relishing it.

While Martin's 20 Nextel Cup points races and three special events this season will be in Ginn's Chevrolets, and Martin also plans to run a handful of Busch races in Monte Carlos; he also plans to do at least two Busch races for Roush in a Ford Fusion, plus at least six Craftsman Truck Series races in a Wood Brothers/JTG Racing Ford.

In the beginning, racing on dirt, Martin and his dad, Julian, did it their way and excelled. He's relishing the non-conformity some 30 years later.

"I'm having fun because according to a lot of you guys I'm breaking all the rules this year," Martin said.

"So I'm going to enjoy breaking all the rules in '07 and we'll see what happens in '08. I just kind of want to be like some of my heroes like Tony Stewart or Kenny Schrader or Kenny Wallace and drive what I want to when I want to and where I want to this year.

"I have the best gig in NASCAR as far as I'm concerned. I got to lay out exactly what I wanted to do at this stage of my career. ..." - Mark Martin

"That's a little special to me. I have the best gig in NASCAR as far as I'm concerned. I got to lay out exactly what I wanted to do at this stage of my career [and] I'm not 24 -- so for where I am, I think I have the best deal in racing.

"I'm the happiest I've ever been in my life. I'm very excited to go to the racetrack each and every day."

The most intriguing aspect of Martin's appearance, however, was his separation of his heart, and his hands on the wheel -- as he repeated a statement he made at the end of last season.

"Just because I stayed with Jack Roush for 19 years, doesn't make it wrong for me to drive for someone else -- it just makes it strange [and] I'm actually already beyond that," Martin said. "To me and many of my fans I'll always be No. 6 -- and a part of me will always be No. 6, but that's emotions and this is racing.

"The cool opportunity that I have is that I get to do whatever I want to do. That can be drive Cup cars or Busch cars and I get to mentor young drivers or do whatever it is that I would like to do there."

And Martin's optimistic about the possibilities.

"You have an incredible core group [at Ginn] that is expanding as fast as we can and building as fast as we can build to try and get where these other guys are," Martin said. "We hope to get there as soon as possible and then try and move on.

"There is an intention to try to be a powerhouse in NASCAR and there is a realization that it takes time to do that -- a lot of time. In the meantime we are going to work long and hard and I think that we can get some great results this year and better results next year.

"There is a long-term plan and I'm real excited about it and I'm really excited to work with all of these great people and to build something."