#6-Mark Martin said Friday that he’s still waiting for Roush Racing to give him a contract for his Craftsman Truck Series ride for next season, but until he gets it, he’s keeping his Nextel Cup options open. The only thing he knows for sure he won’t do next year is drive the Roush #6 Cup car he’s manned since 1988. And that may be the reason his NCTS deal isn’t done. Todd Kluever, the heir apparent for the #6 Roush Ford Fusion, has struggled mightily in the Busch Series this year, leading to rumors that he might not move up to that ride next year. And that, in turn, has fueled speculation that Roush would try to get Martin to stay another year in the Cup car. Nothing Martin said Friday at New Hampshire International Speedway quashed those rumors. “It is my intention to drive the #6 truck (in 2007),” Martin said. “We just don’t have it done yet. … I’m not worried about it. We’ve had this planned for over a year now. They (Roush) didn’t present me with a contract a year ago because they knew they were going to talk me into driving the #6 car, I think. I think they haven’t proceeded very quickly on this truck thing this year, because they knew something else might happen. I know (Roush Racing President) Geoff Smith and I’m not saying he’s manipulative or anything like that, but he’s pretty smart.” Until the deal’s done, though, Martin hasn’t closed any doors. “I would imagine if they’d present me with a contract, I’d sign it, then that would be it,” Martin said of the Roush truck deal. “But they haven’t yet. Some details still aren’t worked out yet on it. In the meantime, there are some very interesting opportunities.”(Speed Channel)(9-15-2006)
