Martin's math: 6 - 01 = 5

It is increasingly likely that Mark Martin will return to racing full-time next year in a final attempt to win the Sprint Cup. ESPN.com is reporting Martin will replace the perpetually disappointing Casey Mears in Hendrick Racing’s No. 5 car. I’m glad that Martin is returning to racing, but I wonder why he’s doing it now.

Just last year, Martin started the season in the No. 01 and damn well nearly won the Daytona 500. Kevin Harvick ruined the fun when he passed Martin with about 100 yards to go in the race. Athough immensely disappointing, Martin used the momentum from that finish to lead the points standings for four weeks, before handing the keys over to rookie Regan Smith for the Bristol race. He still remained in the top-10 even after missing that race.

Martin was off to a good start that season and, at that point, should have decided to compete in the Crapshoot for the Cup later in the year. Who knows what will happen next year if he goes to Hendrick, but I’m wishing him the best of luck. It’d be great to see him win the Daytona 500 … or more importantly, that elusive championship.