Welcome back from the holiday, everyone. Hope all was well. Catching up with a few of the stories that cropped up over the weekend. One of the biggest came on Independence Day, when Mark Martin declared his independence from ... I dunno, DEI? AARP? Sanity? ... when he announced that he'd be running a full Cup schedule in 2009. His stated goal? To win a championship. No lame-ass "victory lap" for him, this is going to be full-out racing for Martin, and more power to him for it.

All old-guy-behind-the-wheel joking aside, in the 19 years Martin has run a full schedule, he's finished out of the top 10 only three times, and within the top five 12 times, including four second-place finishes. Dude ought to be wearing a peach-and-purple bridesmaid's dress with a record like that.

The NASCAR blogosphere seems remarkably united behind Martin, if a little dubious about his chances to win the Cup. NASCAR Ranting & Raving offers this assessment of Martin's chances:

I'd like to say that he has a viable chance at a Championship but I don't know, that 5 team hasn't been too strong in the past. Wait, before you start jumping on the Terry Labonte thing just stop right now because if I'm not mistaken this is not the same team. Once Dale Jr came on board he took over the 5 car's team and the number went to the old #25 team. Get the picture now? Good. Tell me if I'm wrong here, because I'd like to see Martin win a Championship - I really do - but I don't know if he can with that team, if it really is the old 25 team that is.

[UPDATE: A source very much in the know informs us that "the old 25 team" is now the 88 team. The only change made from the 5 team last year to this year is the car chief; everyone else is the same team as Kyle Busch last season.]

Restrictor Plate This! points out some of the useful particulars of the deal:

It's actually a relief to see this is a two-year deal, meaning next year will be free of the "last shot" angst.  Hopefully Martin will relax a tiny bit. And win that championship. And, speaking as a Hendrick fan, welcome aboard, Mark!  Now relax and enjoy not being the media focus on your team by showing 'em you're anything but someone rolling on their past accomplishments as you ease out of the spotlight.

Bottom line, there's absolutely no downside to this deal; Martin's still a legit competitor. What will be interesting is to see how everyone, particularly the Hendrick team, starts to react should Martin be in striking distance of the championship next September. Not suggesting anybody would ever throw a race to let Martin win, but how much would the Gordon/Johnson/Junior trifecta sacrifice for Martin's chances? It'll make for another fine storyline in 2009, that's for damn sure.