Marlin-Ganassi reunion may occur in two weeks

“I told them it's whatever they want to do.”

Columbia's Sterling Marlin might drive again for Chip Ganassi Racing as a substitute for the injured Dario Franchitti in the May 10 Sprint Cup race at Darlington, S.C. Marlin drove eight seasons for Ganassi in ... via The Tennessean

[Betsy Milburn]

This would make my year. I'm a LONG time Marlin fan.

[Lets go racing]

I wonder who is going to do it this weekend!

[Marlin Booster]

Ken Schrader's driving at Richmond though. The 09 car isn't even entered, which means Marlin was free if they wanted him. Not a good sign for Marlin.

[Lets go racing]

Anyone hear anything else about this yet?

[Marlin Booster]

The article in the Tennessean says "Marlin is committed to driving for Phoenix Racing in Saturday night's Cup race at Richmond, Va." But for some reason they haven't entered the car for Richmond. It's a team without a full-year sponsor, so it's not surprising if they find they're short of cash and decide to pass on a race. I don't know if I even trust the article when it says Marlin could be driving the 40 at Darlington, since the only person who said it was Marlin himself. As far as I know, neither Sabates nor Ganassi have said they were leaning toward Sterling for Darlington.

[Marlin Booster]

Marlin is now on the roster of entries for Richmond, and in practice he was really slow, like 42nd among the 48 entries. Qualifying later today. It would be nice to see him get in the race, but this is basically a short track and not very well suited to a team that's part time.

[Marlin Booster]

So, Marlin made the race in the 09 car with a very slow qualifying time and Schrader didn't even make it in with the 40 car. If the guys at Ganassi are smart they'll pick up Marlin for Darlington if he's interested. They need the points.

[Marlin Booster]

Yes! Top 25 for Sterling. Heck, even driving part time he's likely to put Phoenix in the top 35. It would be interesting if they were fully sponsored and could get a decent part-time driver to share the driving with Sterling. One thing about him is that he's always been a sportsmanlike driver, sort of like Mark Martin in that regard. I hope he gets the ride next week at Darlington. It would be great to see him driving a well-maintained car with a top notch crew.

[RaiderJoe40]

anyone think chip is happy with any of the euro ums he's got driving for him?...if he's smart and I think he's stupid.....he'd tell dario that his ankle looks bad for the rest of the year

[Ryan Price]

Sterlin Marlin can still get the job Done.It would be great to see him back in the 40 car at Darlington.Sterling should have a full time ride.Look forward to seeing Sterlin back in Victory Lane Soon !!

[Marlin Booster]

I don't think Sterling really wants a full-time ride. He sort of indicated last year that he was looking to hook up with a good team along the lines of the deal Mark Martin got: find a competent partner, drive just at select tracks, ease out of the top level of the sport as he passed 50 years old.

I'd almost be afraid to see him win a race now, because I think that might be when he would find it possible to say it's the perfect time to go out on top and retire completely. Then again, it would sure be a great memory.