Mark Martin, who came within a half-car-length of winning the 2007 Daytona 500, announced a 26-race Sprint Cup schedule Monday, including a Daytona 500 rematch, 23 other point races and two special events. Martin will kick off his 2008 season and debut in the No. 8 Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevrolet with his record-extending 20th consecutive Budweiser Shootout. Following the 50th Daytona 500, Martin will run the next three events, at Las Vegas, California and Atlanta, before giving way to youngster Aric Almirola, who will run at Bristol and the 11 remaining Sprint Cup point events.

"I think it's going to be an exciting season," said Martin, who will enter his 26th year of Cup racing. "I'm so excited to be behind the wheel of the No. 8 U.S. Army Chevrolet and to be working with Tony Gibson [crew chief] and the No. 8 team. Those guys on this team really had some fast cars a year ago, and we are looking to build on that. Our goal is to be competitive and race up front this season."

Martin finished second to Kevin Harvick in the 2007 Daytona in a No. 01 Chevrolet tuned by crew chief Ryan Pemberton, who's left the company. Gibson was Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s car chief on the No. 8 for most of last season.

Other highlights of Martin's 2008 schedule include the Coca-Cola 600, Allstate 400 at The Brickyard, the Sprint All-Star Challenge and pairs of point events at Daytona, Atlanta, Texas, Richmond, Lowe's Motor Speedway, Dover, Pocono and Michigan. Martin is scheduled to make his 700th career start at California Speedway on Feb. 24.(nascar.com)

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Ryan Newman, Daytona 500 Champion!!
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Did I hear that right that Mark Martin is coming back full time and taking the #8 car for DEI, that is one place I would never want to be, I dont think he will be able to overcome what comes with that number car. I mean when you think Jr, you think 8.

Jeff Wackerlin
RacingOne
Managing Editor

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Dale Earnhardt Inc. announced Mark Martin's 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule today during testing at Daytona International Speedway.

Martin, who is testing with Aric Almirola this week, will stick with the same schedule he ran last year starting with his record-extending 20th consecutive Budweiser Shootout. The shootout will be one of two non-points paying races that he will compete in along with the All-Star race.

Martin's regular season will start with the 50th running of the Daytona 500. Last year Martin finished second for his best finish in 45 career starts at the 2.5-mile superspeedway.

"Those guys on this team really had some fast cars a year ago, and we are looking to build on that," Martin said. "Our goal is to be competitive and race up front this season."

Other highlights of Martin's 2008 schedule will be his 700th career start at California, the Coca-Cola 600 and the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard.

Schedule
Feb. 9 - Bud Shootout
Feb. 17 - Daytona 500
Feb. 24 - California
Mar. 2 - Las Vegas
Mar. 9 - Atlanta
Apr. 6 - Texas
Apr. 12 - Phoenix
May 3 - Richmond
May 10 - Darlington
May 17 - All-Star Race
May 25 - Coca-Cola 600
June 1 - Dover
June 8 - Pocono
Jine 15 - Michigan
July 5 - Daytona
July 12 - Chicago
July 27 - Indianapolis
Aug. 3 - Pocono
Aug. 17 - Michigan
Sept. 6 - Richmond
Sept. 21 - Dover
Sept. 28 - Kansas
Oct. 11 - Lowe's
Oct. 26 - Atlanta
Nov. 2 - Texas
Nov. 16 - Homestead

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Ryan Newman, Daytona 500 Champion!!
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Same with Jr. When you think #88 you think of Dale Jarret.

I would be willing to bet that Martin gets more wins in that 8 car than Jr. got in the last 62 races.

Its only my opinion. But its not outlandish.

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wow thats a big statement about Mark Martin with more wins, I was excited to see him do so well at the beginning of last year, so we shall see, but the way Jr was running at the end of the season it was like he was blowing an engine every other race