Mark Martin Reportedly Replacing Casey Mears At Hendrick

Martin Reportedly Leaving DEI For Hendrick Motorsports

NASCAR driver Mark Martin will leave Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI) at the end of the '08 season and will replace Casey Mears in Hendrick Motorsports’ No. 5 Sprint Cup Chevrolet, according to sources cited by Newton & Smith of ESPN.com. DEI VP & GM John Story said that there are plans to put Aric Almirola, who currently splits time in DEI’s No. 8 Chevrolet with Martin, “into a full-time ride next season.” Story: “There’s a lot of interest in sponsorship for Aric. ... He fits a lot of company’s demographics with his age and Hispanic background. And first and foremost he can drive.” Hendrick Motorsports Owner Rick Hendrick “would not address whether Martin could replace Mears,” but he also “would not give Mears a strong endorsement.” Hendrick: “We’re looking at everything right now. We’re not ready to make any announcements. Guys, give me a break. What’s there to tell?” (ESPN.com, 6/22).

ON TRACK: ESPN.com's David Newton reported driver Greg Biffle has reached a three-year extension to remain with Roush Fenway Racing. Biffle said that a formal announcement, which will include a new deal with primary sponsor 3M, could be unveiled this week at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Meanwhile, Richard Childress Racing (RCR) Owner Richard Childress said that he “has a short list of three to four drivers” for his fourth Cup team, with an announcement expected by August 15. Sources said that Penske Racing’s Ryan Newman and DEI’s Martin Truex Jr. are “on the list but considered longshots” (ESPN.com, 6/20). General Mills next season will sponsor RCR’s fourth car (THE DAILY).

Camping World Serves As Gordon's Primary Sponsor Despite Ongoing Lawsuit

SPONSOR NOTES: Caterpillar is set to be the primary sponsor for RCR's No. 31 Chevrolet driven by Jeff Burton next season, and Burton said, "It’s important that sponsors want to talk to us. Certainly it’s a tough market. There aren’t as many sponsors out there as we’d like to have and more teams than we’d like to have looking for sponsors” (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 6/22)....Camping World yesterday was the primary sponsor of Robby Gordon’s No. 7 Dodge at the Sprint Cup Toyota/Save Mart 350 despite the two sides being “embroiled in a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in California.” The lawsuit, filed in March, contains “allegations that Camping World reneged on an agreement to sponsor Gordon for four Cup races at $200,000 apiece in 2008” (Bob Pockrass, SCENEDAILY.com, 6/22).