Two Hendrick cars to run different numbers in All-Star race

Just because the All-Star race doesn't count for points doesn't mean that it doesn't count for sponsorship dollars and souvenir sales.

Both Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin will run different numbers in the Sprint All-Star race on May 21 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Martin will run No. 25, allowing Johnson to run the No. 5.

Martin will be sponsored by Farmer's Insurance for multiple races in 2011, but will only run No. 25 in the All-Star race. That's in honor of Tim Richmond, who won seven races in 1986 for Hendrick driving the No. 25. Hendrick Motorsports ran the No. 25 until Dale Earnhardt Jr. joined the team in 2008 and 25 became the No. 88.

Johnson's use of No. 5 could be for a Lowe's credit card promotion, according to Jayski.com. Johnson has driven the No. 5 Lowe's car before, albeit in the Nationwide Series, making three starts each in the 5 in 2005 and 2008.

If you're a Johnson or Martin fan, are you going to buy special number merchandise? And are you going to be confused trying to remember that Johnson's using Martin's number and Martin is having Brian Vickers flashbacks?

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