Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Martin to drive truck until Kyle Busch turns 18

Tuesday, June 4, 2002 | 9:49 a.m.

Brian Hilderbrand covers motor sports for the Las Vegas Sun. His motor sports notebook appears Friday. He can be reached at bh@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4089.

NASCAR Winston Cup veteran Mark Martin will return to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series next season and drive the No. 99 Roush Racing Ford until Las Vegas' Kyle Busch turns 18 years old.

Busch drove the No. 99 truck in six races last season until he was forced out of the series when NASCAR mandated that drivers in all of its touring series be at least 18. Busch, who turned 17 on May 2, has been driving in the American Speed Association series this season.

Martin agreed to drive the truck, which team owner Jack Roush has fielded in only one race this year, to help the team gain owners points until Busch becomes eligible to take over.

"I am really excited about helping Kyle, Jack and the whole truck program," Martin said. "Kyle has a lot of potential and the Truck Series is a great place to showcase that talent."

Martin has not competed in the Truck Series since 1996, when he drove in two races. He posted a victory at North Wilkesboro Speedway and a third-place finish at Richmond International Raceway.

If the 2003 NCTS schedule remains the same as this year, Busch would miss only three races before he is able to return to the truck and compete for Rookie of the Year honors.

In six starts in the truck last season, Busch recorded two top-10 finishes, including a ninth-place showing in the Orleans 350 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Busch was prohibited from driving in the season-ending NCTS race at California Speedway last November because of his age and the fact that a tobacco company was sponsoring the race weekend.

Busch finished 11th in the ASA Tires.com 300 Saturday at Berlin Raceway in Marne, Mich., and is eighth in points after six of 20 races.

Benson suffered one broken and two cracked ribs in an accident during the May 3 Busch Series race at Richmond International Raceway and missed the past two Winston Cup points races. Jerry Nadeau filled in for Benson and posted finishes of 28th at Lowe's Motor Speedway and 27th at Dover International Speedway.

Gaughan leads the Rookie of the Year standings with 65 points. Jason Small is second with 56 and Bill Lester is third with 52 points.