Martin: 'Kasey Kahne was the guy.'

Martin would be a great addition
to any team.

It was announced a few days ago that Kasey Kahne would be an addition to Hendrick Motorsports beginning next season. So, people just naturally assumed Mark Martin was packing it in after his contract with HMS expires after the 2011, if not after this season.

No so fast. Martin is ready to continue on past the 2011 season according to an article on NASCAR.com. And as always, Martin reveals his respect for his employer and the sport.

"I wanted to make sure Hendrick was set. I've had the time of my life [but] I figured three years was enough -- and I would appreciate it if no one would write anything about me retiring, because I'm not gonna retire -- I'm gonna race in 2012."

Martin addressed the situation with Kahne last year. He saw Kahne as a perfect fit at Hendrick and, on his own accord, opened the conversation to add Kahne to the Hendrick fold. Considering that Martin has such a high opinion of Kahne speaks volumes.

"Kasey Kahne's the total package and if you want to know the truth, I can't believe that Rick Hendrick scored this deal, it's so perfect."

Martin had originally signed on with HMS for pretty much a one year gig. It will turn out to be a good three years Martin will give to the organization and Hendrick should be grateful the highly respected vet chose to do such. And Hendrick, of sorts, permitted Martin to seek his "replacement". That further displays the amount of respect those in the sport have for Mark Martin. And it's all deserved.

With this story, it was clear that Martin was not planning on being with HMS beyond 2011. If he was, then he would not have initiated any talks with Kahne. But what does 2012 hold for Martin? Where does he go from here?

Martin has enough clout (and all of it deserved and earned) that he could choose to start his own team such as Tony Steart did previous to last year. I have little doubt that Hendrick would assist him much as he's done with Stewart getting Stewart Haas Racing moving in the right direction. Martin will "consider an opportunity". But what if he doesn't want to go down that road?

Could Joe Gibbs Racing benefit from
Mark Martin's presence? You bet.

Kyle Busch stated he would have liked Joe Gibbs Racing to have been able to get Kahne. If not Kahne, what about Martin? JGR would have the best of both worlds. A youngster in Logano. The hardened vet in Martin. Talent all around when you add Busch and Denny Hamlin. That stable of drivers could contend with HMS and Roush Fenway. What about it, coach?

Sure, there's the running four car thing and Gibbs has done so in the past but only in select races. A willing sponsor would prove to be vital i that quest to land Martin. Would you not be willing to add that fourth car on a full-time basis for the likes of adding Mark Martin on your team? Even if it was only a two-year deal, JGR benefits in both the short and long run.

Martin will have opportunities. And has already earned every last one.

Kahne to Hendrick in 2011?

Update (4/14/10): Smith tweets today that one reason Kahne was attracted to HMS deal was the commitment to honoring the deal with Mark Martin. Kahne was also aware there would be a degree of uncertainty concerning the deal.

Kahne will bring a lot of fans to HMS.

Marty Smith of ESPN.com is reporting that Kasey Kahne will be joining the Hendrick Motorsports family beginning in 2011. Kahne, driver of the #9 Budweiser Ford, is in the final year of his contract with Richard Petty Motorsports.

Smith attempted to contact all the involved parties, but either there were no comments made or no response.

This is a huge blow to RPM. Kahne is a popular driver among NASCAR fans and the possibility of losing the Bud sponsorship could go along with Kahne. Considering the state of financial affairs at RPM, this could not have occurred at a worse time. While the current version of RPM is making money, a restructuring of debt is in the process, but without Kahne, making money may have become just a tad harder.

Smith also states that Kahne could eventually replace Mark Martin in the #5 ride. Martin is signed through the end of 2011. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is signed through 2013, Jimmie Johnson is locked up through 2015 and Jeff Gordon has a lifetime deal. Common sense dictates the #5 car as Kahne's future.

Since an owner can only field four cars in a race, what will Hendrick do with Kahne in 2011 if Martin stays? Since HMS provides support for Stewart Haas Racing, Smith theorizes Kahne could run there for next season. If Martin chooses to leave, then Kahne's immediate Hendrick future is obvious.

If the sources are correct, once again, Rick Hendrick and his staff pull off a great signing as he did by stealing Dale Earnhardt, Jr. from then-DEI in 2008. Snagging Kahne fortifies HMS with a stable of popular drivers that display the ability to sell merchandise due that popularity. Considering the amount of fan support for Dale, Jr., Gordon and Johnson, the HMS fanbase increased significantly.

That brings in money, too.

For all Kahne fans, here ya go.