Martin to have a ride in 2012

Mark Martin said before Saturday night's race at Charlotte that he's feeling better about running a partial Cup schedule next year. Martin was asked in a hospitality appearance before the race if he'll be racing. "I said, 'Yes for sure,' " Martin said.

"I don't have a team yet. I have nothing. They asked me if I was going to be driving and they're all worried I'm not going to be driving. I am going to be driving. I will be in the Cup series for a limited schedule. I won't be in the Cup series fulltime. There's nothing new. I don't have a deal. But I will have. A month ago, I could have told you I don't know if I'll have (one). I'm feeling sure that I will because things are starting to move. There wasn't anything moving before. I see some movement. I feel confident this is going to work out well."

Tony Stewart has expressed interest in having Martin run the races Danica Patrick does not in her limited Cup schedule next year. There could be other options in the garage with younger drivers. Much of it is dependent on sponsorship for those teams. Virginian-Pilot