NASCAR’s Mark Martin to drive full schedule in 2010

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It’s hard to get out of the car -- permanently -- when you can still win.

NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Mark Martin came out of semi-retirement this year to drive one more full season with Hendrick Motorsports, then planned to run a partial schedule in 2010.

But that was before Martin won at Phoenix International Raceway on April 18, becoming the first 50-year-old to win a Cup race in 16 years.

Martin today announced that he would now drive another full 36-race schedule in Hendrick’s No. 5 Chevrolet next year as well.

‘I’m in the best condition of my life, I’m recharged,’ said Martin, a Batesville, Ark., native and NASCAR fan favorite whose win in Phoenix was the 36th Cup victory of his long career. ‘Going to the racetrack every weekend is still really fun, and that’s the key.’

And regardless of his age, ‘week in and week out Mark continues to be one of the best race-car drivers in the world,’ said team owner Rick Hendrick.

Martin so far this year has five top-10 finishes through 10 races and is 15th in the point standings. The top 12 drivers in points after 26 races qualify for NASCAR’s Chase for the Cup title playoff over the final 10 races of the season.

-- Jim Peltz