[KK3869]

Martin to sub for Jeff Gordon when baby arrives? If #24-Jeff Gordon is forced to miss a race to attend the birth of his daughter, series veteran Mark Martin will man the #24 DuPont Chevy, multiple sources within the Hendrick Motorsports organization told ESPN.com Wednesday. Martin on Wednesday afternoon will be fitted for a racing seat in preparation for the substitute role, sources said, and plans to begin stand-by duty for Gordon at Infineon Raceway next month. Hendrick Motorsports officials chose not to comment, saying rather that Gordon would address the matter Thursday at Lowe's Motor Speedway, site of this weekend's Coca-Cola 600. Sources said Gordon personally sought out Martin to stand in for him, and after clearing the idea with Ginn Racing officials, Martin gladly accepted. Gordon's wife, Ingrid Vandebosch, is due the week of the June 24 Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma. Martin will fly to Sonoma, during a weekend when he is slated to be idle from racing. If Gordon doesn't require his services, Martin will remain on hand to coach Regan Smith in the #01 US Army Chevy [Ginn Racing]. According to NASCAR officials, Martin could get in the #24 without practicing in the car, so long as Nextel Cup director John Darby gives his blessing. Given Martin's veteran experience, that would seem to be all but a foregone conclusion. If baby Gordon arrives a week early, sources said Martin will turn the #01 Chevrolet over to Smith at Michigan Speedway and drive the #24 for Gordon. Likewise, in the event the baby is a week late, Martin would sub for Gordon at New Hampshire. Gordon hasn't missed a race in his Cup Series career, a span of 484 consecutive races. The last race run without Gordon in the field was the 28th race of the 1992 season, at Phoenix International Raceway.(ESPN.com)(5-23-2007)

 

[Mearsfan07]

Wow to bad he has to break that streak too. But it's for a good reason, so Congrats to Gordon!!

 

[BLACKER]

Best part of it is, unless something changes, Gordon can miss an entire race, get 0 points, and still be the points leader the next week! :rofl:

The new points system kind of lends itself to this. You would never see a driver before willing to give up these kinds of points for ANY reason. Now, if you are up front, you are just going to lose any lead when the chase starts anyways, might as well lose it this way. Even if you drop one or two spots in the points, as long as you are in the top 12 for the chase it does not matter.

I think it is great, I have respect for a driver with his priorities straight like this.

 

[Sall7987]

...looks like martin is just gonna find any way he can to get into the chase.

 

[Martin5]

I'd be surprised if Gordon doesn't find some way to race. I'm sure this is simply a worst case scenario.

 

[Sall7987]

I'd be surprised if Gordon doesn't find some way to race. I'm sure this is simply a worst case scenario.

with the luck he has had this year it will probably be rained out so he can race the next day

 

[EarnhardtJrFan]

I'd be surprised if Gordon doesn't find some way to race. I'm sure this is simply a worst case scenario.

with the luck he has had this year it will probably be rained out so he can race the next day

Nascar would probably have sprinklers from the roof to make it rained out!!!