SAVE MONEY ON TRAVEL DEALS

He replaces the fired Rick Mears and joins two-time defending Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, four-time champion Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr., to give Hendrick Motorsports a formidable team.

"I like putting two dogs together, nose to nose, and letting 'em fight", Hendrick told NASCAR.com while reflecting on his private conversations with all four drivers. "They've each told me they can beat the others, and privately I've agreed with them."

The semi-retired Martin has finished second in the points race four times during his career, qualified for the season-ending "Chase" race for the Cup title in three of four years of its existence (2004-2006), and has recorded 35 wins, 41 poles and 390 top-10s in 711 Cup starts.

His 48 wins make Martin the all-time leader in NASCAR's Nationwide Series.

 BREAKING STORIES

Motocross finals postponed

Joe Gibbs Racing employees suspended

Motocross makes Olympic debut

Carl Edwards completes Michigan sweep

Arrests made in N.C. street racing bust

Edwards wins Carfax 250 in Michigan

Newman to join Stewart-Haas Racing

Plea reached in Tennessee dragster crash

Talledega offer race fans gas cards

Busch speeds to 8th Sprint win of season

Dixon gets record-tying sixth indy win

Ambrose gets his first Nationwide auto win

Scott Dixon grabs Indy 300 pole position

Christian bikers arrested in bar brawl

ABC to continue airing Indy 500

Hall of Fame Racing replaces J.J. Yeley

McCain speaks to revved up crowd in Stugis

Man dies in fire while mourning mother

Lightning strike sends 57 to hospital

Edwards wins auto race at Pocono