Retirement off, Martin set in '06

Todd Kluever will replace him on the Roush team in 2007.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Any chance Mark Martin had of retiring this year from the Nextel Cup series ended Thursday when Roush Racing said he will drive in 2006.
Martin had accepted that he'd probably have to race next season, but had held out faint hope that Roush could find a suitable replacement for him in the No. 6 Ford. With time running out, Roush locked in Martin to return for a 19th season.
Todd Kluever, who drives for Roush in the NASCAR truck series, will replace Martin in 2007. AAA, a new company to NASCAR, will replace Viagra as sponsor of the car.
"I consider the No. 6 car to be one of the top-five most legendary cars in NASCAR history," Kluever said. "I don't think that anybody will be able to replace Mark Martin. He has big shoes to fill, but I'll do my best to try."
Jamie McMurray was originally tabbed to replace Martin but has been unable to gain an early release from his contract with Chip Ganassi Racing. When he does, he will now replace reigning Nextel Cup champion Kurt Busch in the No. 97 Ford at Roush.
Busch factor
Busch is scheduled to drive for Penske Racing in 2007, but there's still a long shot possibility that Ganassi, Penske and Roush can come to an agreement that permits the drivers to swap teams at the end of this year.
Ganassi, who had been vehemently opposed to allowing McMurray to leave early, has softened in stance and would be open to a deal if he could find a suitable driver to fill McMurray's seat.
As Roush has learned, that's easier said than done these days because of a thin talent pool. Although the Busch Series is loaded with young, marketable drivers, few are ready to step into a big-time Cup ride.
"The driver situation in the garage right now is horrible for replacements," Martin lamented earlier this month. "There is no one who is ready to step into a top car. That's why people are fighting over Kurt Busch and Jamie McMurray -- there's no one available that's ready.
Rookies are rare
"There are going to be a lot of drivers freed up next year and hopefully there will be some rookies that look like they're ready, but, as of today, there are no rookies that are available that look like they're ready to step into a car like the 6 car."
Martin had planned to make this season his last after a storied NASCAR career. Considered one of the best drivers to never win a championship, Martin has finished second a heartbreaking four times in the title chases.
Martin has accumulated 35 wins in his 18 years and has started 577 consecutive Cup races.
He teamed with Roush in 1988 to form Roush Racing, which started as a fledgling single-car operation. Today, Roush has five cars -- and all five drivers qualified for the 10-man Chase for the championship -- and has won the past two Cup titles.
"I love my team and Jack Roush too much to leave them with a total empty hole for 2006," Martin said of his decision to return.
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