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If Mark Martin wants to un-retire completely, so be it.
Yes, the "Salute to You" tour of 2005 seems a little silly now.But things change. People change. Circumstances change.
Ask yourself, is there something you wanted three Julys ago thatdoesn't hold the same appeal today, even if it were the rightdecision then?
If not, congratulations. Or maybe condolences. It sounds as ifyou're living an awfully regimented life, and there ought to be moreto this existence than a daily plan and strict adherence.
I'm not convinced semi-retirement was anything but a way torelieve some pressure, to try something Martin hadn't tried inthree decades.
I am convinced it wasn't intended as a way to squeeze anotherbuck out of his fans. (Remember, nobody forced anyone to buy thehats, T-shirts and die-casts in the first place.)
If Martin is named today as the driver of Hendrick Motorsports'No. 5 Cup car full time for 2009, and if that's what he really,really wants right now, good for him.
He is in shape, and there's no reason to think he's lost hisedge.
"This series takes a lot out of you with all of the obligationsand testing and everything that goes along with it," two-timechampion Tony Stewart said.
"For him to not run the full schedule this year I think has kindof given him enough of a chance to catch his breath and get ready togo full time again."
Racing at 75%
The NHRA has shortened the races in its top two classestemporarily as it studies potential safety changes, but not everyoneis in favor.
