Courtesy Hendrick Motorsports:

CASEY MEARS & HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS TO PART WAYS
FOLLOWING 2008 NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES SEASON

CONCORD, N.C. (June 27, 2008) - Hendrick Motorsports and driver Casey Mears will part ways following the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.

"We've put a ton of emphasis on the No. 5 program," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "It's been a total team effort, and Casey has worked as hard as anyone to help us improve. We've tested more than we ever have, but the results just haven't come.

"None of us, Casey included, have been satisfied with the situation this season. But he's confident there are other options out there for him in 2009, and we feel like Hendrick Motorsports will have some opportunities, too."

Mears will finish the 2008 Sprint Cup campaign in Hendrick's No. 5 Chevrolets.

"I know the effort has been there, but we haven't had the finishes to show for it," Mears said. "I've never tested this much or put more energy into racing. But for whatever reason, we just haven't been able to make it click. It's certainly not for lack of dedication on anyone's part.

"I'll talk to people about opportunities and get my 2009 plans wrapped up soon, but I'm also focused on the next 20 races and finishing 2008 on a positive note. We ran well the second half last year, and I know we can do it again. I want to close this season the right way."

Hendrick Motorsports will announce its 2009 plans at a later date.

Okay, so now what?  As was mentioned this past Wednesday by your not-so humble self, talk is hot and heavy that Mark Martin will end his run for fun operational motif by going full-time in the #5 next year for one last (quote unquote) run at the championship that has eluded him thus far.  The questions this brings up are:

• Does he still have what it takes to win the title?  While Martin is one of the if not the most universally respected and cherished drivers on the circuit, the whisper against him has always been he lacks the killer instinct needed to gain that extra edge needed for a true title run.  Whether this is a fair assessment is open to speculation; if being a gentleman racer who uses the scientific method of driving -- planning ahead to place yourself where you can pick your spots to make the clean pass -- rather than a bash and dash philosophy is a detriment, then frankly all who prefer racing to wrecking should hail the detriment.  As a side note, the same charge is leveled against Jeff Burton.  But back to Martin.  While his physical fitness regimen puts Carl Edwards to shame, he's not a kid.  Does he have the mental toughness it takes?  Has his well-chronicled indecisiveness over the past few years been swept away in favor of wanting to go out like Ray Bourque in hockey a few years ago, a legend of the sport whose career ended when after his final game he finally hoisted the Stanley Cup?  Questions answerable only if Martin does take over the #5 in 2009.
• Martin is a short-term solution for the fourth Hendrick team.  What about the long run?  Another year for Brad Keselowski in Nationwide, and then to the #5 in 2010?  The thrown out there because it makes sense notion of Tony Stewart in 2009 with Martin deciding he doesn't want to jump back into the pressure cooker?  Who knows.

Definitely a developing story.  As my main man says, stay tuned.