Martin to strengthen Hendrick team

Just when you thought Hendrick Motorsports couldn’t get any better, here comes Mark Martin to drive one of the organization's Chevrolets in the NASCAR Busch Series.

Martin, the all-time leader in Busch wins with 47, is driving the first of three scheduled Busch races for Hendrick this season in Friday night’s Diamond Hill Plywood 200 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway (8:30 p.m. Eastern, ESPN2) in Hendrick’s No. 5 Chevrolet.

Hendrick entries have been impressive in the Nextel Cup Series this season, winning seven of the 10 races. Drivers Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson are first and second in points, respectively.

The organization is still looking for its first Busch win of the season, and Martin is certainly a plausible candidate to provide it this weekend.