Hendrick to snatch Budweiser, Martin to start team

Hendrick Motorsports general manager Marshall Carlson has talked with Anheuser Busch officials about the possibility of Budweiser becoming a team sponsor after this season, team owner Rick Hendrick said Sunday. Budweiser is looking for a new partner after its contract expires with #9-Kasey Kahne and Richard Petty Motorsports after this season. Kahne, who recently signed a contract with HMS to replace Mark Martin in the #5 in 2012 and a car to be determined in 2011, has said he would like to continue his relationship with Budweiser if possible. There were reports that HMS could not bring in Budweiser because of the team's relationship with longtime sponsor Pepsi, but Hendrick said that "depends on which car it's on." "In our deals we have rights of first refusal," Hendrick said. "We've got to go through that, but we're talking to anybody." Hendrick would be willing to supply Martin with engines and chassis if Martin decides to go into ownership. Martin recently said he would consider becoming an owner if he could find a deal like the one Tony Stewart got with Gene Haas. "I'd be open to anything Mark wants to do," Hendrick said. "He talked about a long time ago about wanting to own a truck team. I never heard him say anything about a car until now." ESPN.com