Gary Bechtel purchases majority interest in MWR Nationwide team; putting Trevor Bayne in car
By Lee Montgomery - Associate Editor
Friday, November 13, 2009
Trevor Bayne will drive the full NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule for Michael Waltrip Racing next season.
David Griffin
NASCAR Scene
Former NASCAR team owner Gary Bechtel has purchased a majority interest in Michael Waltrip Racing’s Nationwide Series team and will put Trevor Bayne in the No. 99 Toyota full time next year, sources say.
A news conference is scheduled for Saturday at Phoenix International Raceway, where Bechtel and Bayne will make the announcement.
MWR will continue to operate the team out of its shop in Cornelius, N.C.
Bechtel was the owner of Diamond Ridge Motorsports, which won 10 races in what is now the Nationwide Series and competed in 129 Cup events from 1990 through 1998. Bechtel’s last full season in Cup was 1997, and he sold the assets of his operation following the 1998 season to Joe Gibbs Racing.
Bechtel befriended Bayne earlier this year and has helped the 18-year-old driver land rides in the Nationwide Series this season.
Bayne, a former Dale Earnhardt Inc. development driver, has raced in the Nationwide Series 14 times this year, and is entered with MWR’s No. 99 this weekend at Phoenix.
Bayne won his first career pole at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis this year and finished seventh in the race for MWR. He also finished seventh at Richmond for CJM Racing.
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7 responses to "Gary Bechtel purchases majority interest in MWR Nationwide team; putting Trevor Bayne in car". Post a Comment.
JGRFan4Life said:
Nov 13, 2009 at 4:25 PMGood to hear. I liked what I saw from Bayne in 2009.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportNickDizzle7 said:
Nov 13, 2009 at 5:22 PMWhile I like Bayne, this might not be good news for the 2009 East Series champion Ryan Truex.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportWerner said:
Nov 13, 2009 at 6:45 PMMW running low on $$$$???...
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» Confirm Abuse Reportiusewd40 said:
Nov 13, 2009 at 7:30 PMThe old saying "Put your money where your mouth is"---If Mikey is running out of $$$$ maybe we all will be treated to the treat of Mikey running out of MOUTH!!!!!!!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportbigj said:
Nov 13, 2009 at 7:36 PMI like Trevor..good luck in 2010...still like you best Mikie.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportPhoenix987 said:
Nov 13, 2009 at 9:16 PMGlad to see a development driver getting a chance. MWR can now look for sponsors to put Ryan Truex in a car part time like they were hoping.
Report as AbuseTrevor Bayne is trying to prove that if you've got some talent rides will come.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportteema said:
Nov 14, 2009 at 10:03 PMWerner... This has anything to do with MWR running out of money...it has to do with sponsorship...but then again you only see what you want to when you read articles, don't you...?
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