Martin says this is Earnhardt Junior's Year

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -  According to Mark Martin, Dale Earnhardt Junior will win races and be a contender in 2010.

Earnhardt Junior, Martin’s teammate at Hendrick Motorsports , failed to win a race last season, missed the Chase and finished lower in the points then he ever has as a full time Sprint Cup Series driver.

During the offseason Earnhardt gained several of Martin’s crewmembers from the No. 5 Chevy. And perhaps importantly, he’s gained the mentoring of one of the most respected drivers in NASCAR.

“Mark has been a great supporter of mine for years,” Earnhardt Junior said. “He's a lot of fun to work with. Definitely he's one of the guys I definitely listen to. You know, I think I'm kind of shy at times, but I've never really been - I've never been against really working together and trying to take two teams and be stronger. We did that at DEI for years. At least we tried to make it work.”

Teammate to both Martin and Earnhardt and reigning four-time champion, Jimmie Johnson said Earnhardt and Martin working together should help.

“I think the unification between the 88 and the 5 is very good for him,” Johnson said. “He looks up to Mark. He seems to respond very well to folks that have been around the sport for a long time. Mark is more than willing.

Johnson added that part of the responsibility for the partnership working though is with Earnhardt.

“If Junior engages himself and asks the right questions and takes it to him, because he can't do it on his own,” Johnson said. “He's been more internal and to himself on cars, setups, kind of been on his own little island. If he really embraces the teammate standpoint and is right there alongside with Mark day in and day out, they'll get it figured out. It may take changes in driving style, a lot of things that aren't familiar to him, but he's going to have every opportunity and we're making sure he does.”

Martin has confidence in Earnhardt and is quick to say that 2010 will be a far different year.

“This is Junior's year for - I don't know how to say this. I was going to say 'revenge,’ Martin said. “It's his year to take out frustrations and get the results, pound the results. I think that will happen.”

“Junior, his heart really, really, really is in it,” Martin added. “He's incredibly driven to have the success. And his team is behind it. I think you'll see a spectacular year for him.”

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