Martin will leave Roush for MB2

There was a time when Mark Martin could not envision himself racing at NASCAR’s top level as he approached 50.

But time has a way of changing perspective. Now the stock car star finds he is not yet ready to walk away at age 47.

So instead of retiring from the Nextel Cup series and racing for fun in a lower division, Martin said Friday he will leave longtime employer Roush Racing after this season to drive a limited 22-race Cup schedule for MB2 Motorsports in 2007.

Martin, third in Cup points, will take over the No. 01 U.S. Army Chevrolet from Joe Nemechek, who will remain with MB2 and drive a third Cup car for the team that also fields the No. 14 Chevy for Sterling Marlin.

Formula One

With a possible Formula One title on the line, Michael Schumacher gained an early edge over reigning world champion Fernando Alonso by posting the third-fastest time in qualifying for Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, Japan, with Alonso a close fourth.

Schumacher, the seven-time Formula One champ, had turned the fastest time in practice.

Montoya third in debut

Juan Pablo Montoya finished third in the ARCA RE/MAX Series Food World 250 at Talladega, his first race in a full-bodied stock car.

With 15 laps to go, a multi-car accident behind Montoya forced officials to call the race early because of darkness. Veteran Frank Kimmel won the first restrictor plate race of his long and storied career. Stephen Wallace, son of former NASCAR star Rusty Wallace, was second, with Montoya finishing third.

“I haven’t had this much fun racing in a long time,” said Montoya.