Monticello — Michael Waltrip has been able to attract several good sponsors for his
Sprint Cup teams, but his performance hasn't been the best. Currently 24th
in points, he has only had one top-10 finish this year.
Prior to the start of the 2009 season Waltrip said he might hang up his
driving helmet if he doesn't perform well enough.
Waltrip, now 46 years old, commented this past weekend that he either
has to step up his performance in the Michael Waltrip Racing No. 55 NAPA
Toyota or face the decision to replace himself as the driver.
"I just haven't been able to step it up to the next level. I have four
wins, but I haven't been able to be in contention for the championship,"
Waltrip noted.
Waltrip went on to indicate that his primary focus was to bring NAPA
Auto Parts a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Title.
In 25 years of NASCAR Cup Series competition and 733 starts, Waltrip has
four wins, four poles, 39 top five and 127 top ten finishes.
MWR co-owner Rob Kauffman said it will be Waltrip's decision if he
retires from full-time competition after this season.
"He wants to do the best thing for the company," said Kauffman, "NAPA is
a fantastic sponsor and partner for us, terrific people, makes a lot of
sense for them to be in the sport. Š It's a joint decision for sure not an
easy one.''
Kauffman, who put a major investment into MWR as Waltrip's company was
struggling financially late in its inaugural Cup season in 2007, said the
discussions have begun on whether Waltrip will retire.
"It's a pretty important decision for the company, so on the list of
important decisions, it's certainly up there," continued Kauffman. "We'll
work with NAPA and come up with the best answer, and they have a long
relationship and they are really good people to work with.
"It will be a joint decision. I am the finance guy, but who is the most
talented driver? How do you recognize that? I'm not the expert in that. I
wouldn't be so arrogant. Š We want to win races. That's for sure what we
want to do. In terms of a driver, we want somebody who fits with the team."
If Mikey does retire, where will we see him? In the broadcast booth?
Next Week: Who is James Finch
Weekend Racing: Next Sunday is Mother's Day. NASCAR never races on
Easter and Mother's Day, so the Cup and Nationwide teams will race at
Darlington on Friday and Saturday. The Truck teams are off.
Fri., May 8, Nationwide Series Diamond Hill Plywood 200, race 10 of 35;
Starting time: 7 p.m. (EDT); TV: ESPN2.
Sat., May 9, Sprint Cup Southern 500, race 11 of 36; Starting time: 7
p.m. (EDT); TV: Fox.
Racing Trivia Question: After a brief absence Sterling Marlin is back in
Cup racing. Which team does he drive for?
Last Week's Question: Where is Mark Martin's home town? Answer.
Batesville, Arkansas.
You may contact the Racing Reporter at: hodgesnews@earthlink.net.