RICHMOND, Va. -- Mark Martin, Ricky Rudd and Ward Burton are the top
choices of Robert Yates Racing to drive the No. 88 Ford opposite
rookie David Gilliland in 2007.

Ricky Rudd
Ricky Rudd's only track time this season was when he relieved Tony
Stewart because of injury. Credit: Autostock


MARTIN NOT RETURNING TO 6
• Martin confirms he won't return to No. 6 car in 2007

"We really want a veteran driver to work with David," Doug Yates, the
co-owner of RYR, said during qualifying for Saturday night's Nextel
Cup race at Richmond International Raceway.

A newspaper report early in the week quoted three sources from Ford
Motorsports saying that Martin would replace Dale Jarrett in the 88.

Benny Ertel, Martin's business manager, denied the report.

"I haven't heard a word from Doug or Robert Yates, and I'm sure I
would have," he said. "Everybody's playing the guessing game right
now. I recall Mark saying that his plans were to run the Truck Series
full time, and in a perfect world he'd like to run 10-12 Cup races in
conjunction with that.

"That hasn't changed."

Martin acknowledged that current owner Jack Roush would like for him
to buy into ownership of another team, but said, "I'd like to say
that's never going to happen."

He laughed about reports that he is headed to RYR.


"You know, next year we're probably gonna see a two-headed man driving
the 88," he said. "I hope it doesn't come out that I've got two wives
next week. That's about where that is. There's no serious
consideration given from me to that at this point."

Yates said there had been no discussions with Martin, but didn't rule
out something in the future.

"Who wouldn't like to have Mark Martin?" he said.

Yates said he's close to getting a sponsor for the 88, which lost UPS
when Jarrett announced he was leaving for Michael Waltrip Racing next
season. He said once the sponsor is set then the process of selecting
a driver will move forward.

Rudd, who will turn 50 on Sept. 12, stepped away from the sport this
season to decide on his future. Burton, 44, has been out of the sport
for about two seasons.