Mark Martin Insists He’s Not Retiring, Hand-Picked Kasey Kahne As Successor

Mark Martin insisted he is not retiring and said he was the one who initially approached Kasey Kahne to drive the No. 5 car, the driver said in his first public comments since Hendrick Motorsports announced Kahne would replace Martin in 2012.

Martin also revealed he would consider becoming an owner/driver in the mold of Tony Stewart and expressed an inner peace at knowing the plans for the next year-and-a-half were set.

“It was a little bit of a stretch to do one full-time season (when I joined Hendrick),” Martin said. “I gave them three. It’s been the gift of my career that Hendrick Motorsports has given me. One of my biggest concerns has been who was going to be the successor so that I didn’t knock (Hendrick) out of getting the very best, A-number-one fit.”

And in Kahne, Martin said, Hendrick and the No. 5 team have it.

Martin said he was the one who first approached Kahne last September – without team owner Rick Hendrick’s knowledge – and the drivers spoke two or three times about the No. 5 car last year.

Martin said he also tried to discuss the No. 5 car opening with his two best friends, Jeff Burton and Matt Kenseth, but “they both just laughed and joked around.”

But Kahne, in what Martin called “the perfect scenario,” ultimately made the deal work, despite not knowing where he’ll drive in 2011.

“He’s the total package,” Martin said, practically giddy. “If you want to know the truth, I can’t believe Rick Hendrick scored this deal, it is so perfect.”

Martin scolded reporters who asked if he would step out of the car in 2011 before his contract expires (“I’m not sure why you don’t understand. It’s not clear to me why you don’t understand,” he said) and said he was upset that anyone would try to find something negative about the move, calling it “the most exciting thing that could ever happen.”

Martin said he is still having the time of his life driving the No. 5 car, but didn’t want Hendrick to be waiting on him to make a decision at this time next season – therefore limiting the options for what driver could be his successor.

He said it was vital for him to find “someone better than me” to replace him, and he called Kahne the “No. 1 pick.” Martin also hinted that Alan Gustafson would remain in place when Kahne arrives.

As for where that leaves Martin in 2012?

“I have absolutely no idea,” he said. “I’m going to do whatever I want to. And I’m not even going to know what I want to do for awhile. … I’ll explore driving and other things as well. I love the sport, I want to be in sport a long time, drive for a long time.