Michael Waltrip: Decision on future may involve Martin Truex Jr.
By Jeff Gluck - Associate Editor
Friday, June 12, 2009
Owner/driver Michael Waltrip could possibly be signing Martin Truex Jr. to drive his No. 55 Toyota in 2010.
LaDon George
NASCAR Scene
BROOKLYN, Mich. – Michael Waltrip hinted Friday that he’s closer to a decision on his future – and that future may involve Martin Truex Jr.
Waltrip reiterated his stance that he needed to run better in order to remain the driver of the Napa-sponsored No. 55 car at Michael Waltrip Racing, the race team he owns.
“The reason I’ve raced a car all this time is because I was the best driver that the teams that wanted me could get,” he said. “I’m driving the Napa car because I’m the best driver I can get for it right now. If we find somebody we think can do better next year, we’ll certainly look at that. We’re still just looking at it right now.”
Truex, whose contract at Earnhardt Ganassi Racing expires after this season, has been frequently tied to the possible opening in the No. 55.
“You just have to figure that he’s one of the ones that no one knows where he’s going,” Waltrip said. “He’s been a Chase guy. He stumbled in and has run up front from the beginning, so I don’t know what the future holds. But he might be one of those on that list that would be better than me.”
Asked if he was any closer to a decision on his future on Friday, Truex smiled.
“I’d love to share it with you, but I can’t,” he said.
Waltrip also spoke about his decision to put Patrick Carpentier in the upcoming race at Infineon Raceway, a road course. He said Carpentier, a former open-wheel driver, gives his team and sponsor a better opportunity to win.
“I felt like that was my best chance to win the race,” Waltrip said. “I think it’s fair to say that I’m not great, I’ve had 25 seasons to win [on a road course] and I haven’t.
“It’s not a big deal to me to not drive if I think I can give the Napa car a better chance to win. It’s all about winning to me. I don’t want to go there just to start again, I want to win.”
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11 responses to "Michael Waltrip: Decision on future may involve Martin Truex Jr.". Post a Comment.
Phoenix987 said:
Jun 13, 2009 at 12:37 PMEven though he isn't the best driver out there, I think we can all agree that there are some times when Mikey can at least lighten the mood with a funny line.
Report as AbuseI think Mikey knows he's out of the #55 if NAPA asks- and they likely will if MWR wants to keep their sponsorship. Truex could be the best decision for MWR, especially since he already has family at the team.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportthereesons said:
Jun 13, 2009 at 1:00 PMI hate to say it Mikey but you might be better off giving the #55 to someone else to drive.
Report as AbuseMaybe we can see more of you in an announcer type of gig, you are a funny guy and would be better suited to that and I would enjoy watching you!
Wishing you all the best!
I don't particularily want to see Truex in a Toy but a driver has to do what he has to do to keep racing!
Whatever Truex decides to drive, good luck to him as well but it goes against my nature to cheer for a Toy driver!
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» Confirm Abuse Report32deuce said:
Jun 13, 2009 at 1:14 PMATTENTION: Gluck. The word is NAPA. It is an acronym for National Automotive Parts Association. It is not Napa. That irritates me almost as much as the improper spelling, Nascar.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportandee said:
Jun 13, 2009 at 5:11 PMThe list of drivers better than Mike is long.He could look at Kyle Petty,D Cope,Marlin,Skinner,Mears,and the list goes on up from there.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportbthompson133 said:
Jun 13, 2009 at 7:04 PMhe should replace dw,couldn't be worse!!!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportWerner said:
Jun 13, 2009 at 9:03 PMwasn't there some talk of Truex going to some other team and taing Bass Pro with him?...like Stewart-Haas?
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» Confirm Abuse Reportgthom56978 said:
Jun 13, 2009 at 9:06 PMIf MW decides to place Mark Truex in the car, that would be awesome. MW can manage, and would be a great anouncer for nascar as he does in the truck series. I love it. He is so funny, and also appears to be a kind person. Go for Truex.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportWerner said:
Jun 14, 2009 at 9:08 AMlast thing i want is MW to announce Cup races...you know how biased that would be...even worse is to have DW & MW together...it has happened and i had to turn the sound off...
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» Confirm Abuse Reportmvd2800 said:
Jun 14, 2009 at 9:24 AMBeing an OLD race fan, what I would like to see is Mikey, Ken Schrader and Johnny Benson as race announcers--together! If you're old enough to remember IWCR, you know that no matter who won the race, the coverage would be entertaining!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportjbbigrod said:
Jun 14, 2009 at 11:49 AMNumber 4, the only ones on your list that might be better are Skinner and Mears. Number 2, nothing wrong with pulling for a Toyota driver. I wish Mark Martin would go to Toyota. I have a terrible time rooting for him in a Chev or Leave It, even though I have been a Mark Martin fan since the beginning. I was glad he won this year, I just cringed in what he won it in though. Ford, Dodge, Toyota, ALL okay. Chev, UGH!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportOSUSam said:
Jun 16, 2009 at 3:22 PMAs to JBBIGROD'a comments, who said Win on Sunday sell on Monday no longer exists. Atta Boy JBBIGROD.
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