Mark Martin gets a race with JGR

Joe Gibbs Racing announced Friday that NASCAR veteran Mark Martin will drive the Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry in the 2012 Nationwide Series race in Las Vegas in March.

“We’ve always hoped to have the opportunity for Mark to drive for us and to have him behind the wheel of our Interstate Batteries Toyota for the Nationwide race in Vegas is exciting,” said J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing. “He is a great example to all drivers of the dedication it takes to be successful and certainly we’re honored to have him part of our efforts in 2012.”

While Martin is only currently scheduled to race in Las Vegas for JGR, the team is still working on opportunities for him to secure additional races this season.

Martin currently has 49 career victories in 235 Nationwide starts. His most recent victory came just last season when he piloted the No. 32 car to victory Las Vegas. He had four starts in 2011, with the one victory and three top-ten finishes.

"No organization has been better in the Nationwide Series over the past three or four seasons and to have the chance to get behind the wheel of a Joe Gibbs Racing Nationwide car will be a thrill," Martin said. "Maybe I can pick up a few more races and try to catch Kyle to get my record back again.”