Auto Racing News

By Buzz Cutler
Rowdy.com

Michael Waltrip wanted to run just one race in 2010 – this weekend’s Daytona 500. After a wreck in the first Gatorade Duel, however, his season, and perhaps his racing career seemed over for good. His salvation came from an unlikely source. Scott Speed raced his way in to the “Great American Race” via Duel No. 2, which means Michael’s qualifying speed allows him to line up for one last Daytona 500. It seems a fitting place for him to close the door on his days as a driver.

Is there a driver more completely associated with a single track then Michael is with Daytona? Of his four career wins, three of them came at Daytona – two Daytona 500 victories (2001 and 2003) and one Firecracker (2002). That first win, the 2001 Daytona 500, came 463 races into his Cup career.

What a momentous race that first win was. Two Earnhardts were behind Waltrip. Dale Junior was pushing him to victory. Dale Senior was doing his part by trying to hold off Sterling Marlin and Ken Schrader. Schrader and Senior got tangled up. Schrader walked away. Senior didn’t.

That race also marked Darrell Waltrip’s first as a television analyst for Fox Sports. At the end of the race Darrell kept alternating between the rival joys of seeing his “baby brother” get his first win on NASCAR’s biggest stage and concern for his friend and erstwhile adversary, Dale Earnhardt. With one breath, the elder Waltrip said, “My Daddy would be so happy”, and with the next asked, “Is Dale okay? I guess he’s okay.”

Later that season, Michael Waltrip took part in more indelible Daytona memories. At that summer’s Pepsi 400 Waltrip and Earnhardt Junior found themselves in reversed roles. Waltrip pushed Junior to victory, finishing second in the process. What I remember most vividly about the ensuing celebration is Michael Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt Jr., hugging atop the roof of the No. 15 in the Daytona infield.

I think of Michael Waltrip and Kyle Petty similarly. Both had up-and-down careers as drivers, but they each transcended their on-track performance as NASCAR ambassadors. Kyle Petty did it through philanthropy, while Michael Waltrip exploited his unparalleled media savvy. Even now, he is ahead of the curve in the way he is embracing New/Social Media.

Michael Waltrip’s NASCAR story is far from over. His career as an owner could very well eclipse his career as a driver. With David Reutimann and Martin Truex Jr. in his stable and a very close satellite relationship with Marcos Ambrose/JTG Daugherty Racing, his eponymous race team seems on the verge of a breakthrough.

Regardless of what Michael Waltrip does on Sunday afternoon … No matter what success he may find as an owner … Apart from any accolades he receives as a television personality … My two most vivid memories of Michael Waltrip will always be from the 2001 season at Daytona International Speedway when he still drove a race car for a living.

Bass Masters, Buck Fever and Buzz
Cutler are co-hosts of Rowdy.com.
For the best NASCAR community on the internet go to Rowdy.com.

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