Michael Waltrip: Decision on future may involve Martin Truex Jr.
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.”
