"I would appreciate it if no one would write anything about me retiring, because I'm not going to retire," Martin was quoted as saying by Autosport.
"I'm going to race in 2012. And so don't even talk about it. I'm racing in 2012. There will be an opportunity for me I'm sure, that will be exciting and fun and that I can help people."
Martin's contract with Hendrick ends this season, but the 51-year old says he will stay in NASCAR, even if he doesn't exactly what his career will be in 2011. Leaving Hendrick before the end of the season is, according to Martin, not an option.
"Those guys wanted me to drive it for 2012. It was a little bit stretched to do one full-time season. I gave them three. It's been the gift of my career that Hendrick Motorsports has given me. One of my biggest concerns has been who is going to be the successor so that I didn't knock them out of getting the very best A-number-one fit," Martin added.
Hendrick Motorsports signed Kahne on April 15. He is scheduled to drive the No. 5 Chevrolet starting with the 2012 season. This, however, means Kahne still has no contract for the 2011 season. Due to NASCAR's four-car limit, Kahne will be unable to drive for his new team next season.
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