Michael Waltrip Racing sets July 7 announcement to discuss future; Martin Truex Jr. remains mum

By Bob Pockrass - Associate Editor

Sunday, June 28, 2009

It appears Martin Truex Jr. could possibly be hired to replace owner/driver Michael Waltrip at Michael Waltrip Racing.

David Griffin
NASCAR Scene

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LOUDON, N.H. – Michael Waltrip Racing has set a July 7 news conference to talk about the future of the organization, MWR Ty Norris vice president and general manager said Sunday morning.

It appears MWR is set to announce the hiring of Earnhardt Ganassi Racing’s Martin Truex Jr., according to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation.

When asked if he had any update on his contract situation, Truex Jr. said Saturday he didn’t and when asked when he would announce anything, he smiled and held up two fingers, indicating two weeks.

It is expected that Truex will replace Michael Waltrip as a full-time driver at MWR with Waltrip likely driving a partial schedule. Truex’s younger brother, Ryan, drives for MWR in the NASCAR Camping World East Series. Neither Truex nor Waltrip have denied reports of Truex being headed to MWR.

“What [the announcement] will do is start to paint the picture of what 2010 and beyond will look like,” Norris said Sunday in the New Hampshire Motor Speedway garage. “It definitely is going to answer a lot of questions and really start to paint the picture of what MWR’s future will look like.

“I don’t know that you’re going to get all of your answer on the 7th, but I think you will get the answers to a lot of the questions that most people are asking.”

Truex has one career victory in 134 career starts and he made the Chase For The Sprint Cup in 2007. The 2004 and 2005 champion in what is now known as the Nationwide Series driving for Chance 2 Motorsports (co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Dale Earnhardt Inc.), Truex has spent virtually his entire NASCAR career either with an association or for DEI.

He made the Chase amid the tumultuous DEI year where Earnhardt Jr. made the decision to leave DEI and go to Hendrick Motorsports. Truex signed a one-year extension to his contract last August but still hasn’t been able to find the consistent finishes he had in 2007. DEI merged its Cup operations with Chip Ganasssi Racing after last year.

If MWR fields a full-time car for Truex and a part-time effort for Waltrip in addition to keeping David Reutimann and its relationship with JTG Daugherty Racing, it would be at its maximum four teams.

MWR still needs to re-sign the alliance with JTG Daugherty, and Norris said he wants to get that done.

“It has been mutually beneficial on both sides, almost exactly how we anticipated it could be,” Norris said. “We’ve been thrilled.”

Norris said the priority is to get all three cars (including the JTG Daugherty car) as Chase For The Sprint Cup contenders before expanding to a fourth car or supplying cars to other organizations.

“We want all three to be Chase contending before we start taking on more,” Norris said.

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Comments

27 responses to "Michael Waltrip Racing sets July 7 announcement to discuss future; Martin Truex Jr. remains mum". Post a Comment.

1

snohio said:
Jun 28, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Ok, so Michael puts Marty in the 55 NAPA car, does that free up Bass Pro for next year and going to SHR for a third car there? I will gain a lot of respect for Michael should he follow through and pull himself out of the 55 NAPA car.
2

Phoenix987 said:
Jun 28, 2009 at 12:18 PM
From what everyone's saying, Bass Pro only wants to be a partial sponsor, as the full sponsorship costs are extremely high. I wouldn't mind seeing a #55 NAPA/Bass Pro car with Truex in it, although I would also like to hear that Reutimann has the full year of sponsorship filled before NAPA and Bass Pro decide to cut back if everything works like is expected. Reutimann would be a good Bass Pro figure since we have a BPS store about 3 miles outside of Zephyrhills and if you live here you almost have to love fishing. If Aaron's cuts back to a half-season or so, BPS would be a great second primary sponsor for David. I would like to see that, anyway.
3

thereesons said:
Jun 28, 2009 at 12:19 PM
I really hate the thought of Truex driving a Toyota but he has to do what is best for his future and I really don't see much of a future for him at EGR.
4

MrWalleye2U said:
Jun 28, 2009 at 12:55 PM
STUPID MOVE!
5

jessdevils said:
Jun 28, 2009 at 1:21 PM
I really hate to see Martin leave to drive a Toyota but I do understand he needs to do what's best for him. I really miss my DEI teams. I'll continue to be a die hard fan for Dale Jr & Martin. The BEST to you both.
6

bmontecarlo99 said:
Jun 28, 2009 at 1:56 PM
With this happening it appears Tony Stewart becomes the Nostradamus of Nascar the old DEI truly will be just a car museum with Martin being the last remnant to go. Kind of sorry Martin didn't stick with the Bowtie and go to SHR. But it seems like Toyota has all the bread in the world now and is spreading it around like they did with F-1. I would also guess that NAPA told Waltrip it was time to go to the pit box in order to keep the full ride sponsorship.
7

Anonymous said:
Jun 28, 2009 at 4:40 PM
I think everyone will be shocked to see Michael Waltrip & Truex as a team, team, as in:

WTR "Waltrip Truex Racing"
8

Dale said:
Jun 28, 2009 at 6:10 PM
Anonymous, that was a pretty stupid comment. If Truex comes to MWR it will be as an employee, not an owner.
9

Anonymous said:
Jun 28, 2009 at 7:13 PM
I thought that I read somewhere that MWR was going to sign Martin's younger brother to his Nationwide team. Could just be a rumor.
10

Anonymous said:
Jun 28, 2009 at 8:09 PM
who cares
11

Anonymous said:
Jun 28, 2009 at 10:42 PM
Bass Pro shops is probably going to go co-sponsor Ryan newman at SHR
12

ipopakeg said:
Jun 28, 2009 at 10:54 PM
When I first saw the picture,it looked like a woman behind the wheel! Check out the profile! I have nothing against MT.JR. so don't start,just at a glance,it looked like a girl! I think it was the eyebrow's that looked different,ck. it out!
13

fronto said:
Jun 29, 2009 at 1:11 AM
I thought that Patrick Carpentier would be a very good driver for the 55. Of course, with 1 win in 134 races for Truex, i understand why MWR goes with him, he's almost a champion...ouch!
14

Anonymous said:
Jun 29, 2009 at 8:03 AM
Don't forget Bass Pro Shops and Tony Stewart has had a long time relationship together. Johnny Morris owner of Bass Pro Shops is very loyal to his friends that are friends of the outdoors. Hunting and fishing and being outside is away of life for Stweart. Matin Truex is also an outdoorsman, but it remains to be seen how Waltrip will fit in here with the lifestyle image they are looking for. Outdoorsman/women want to be comfortable with thier image bearers.
15

ctjeepinguy said:
Jun 29, 2009 at 9:22 AM
Bye Bye Chip & Dale!!!
16

ctjeepinguy said:
Jun 29, 2009 at 9:25 AM
Bye Bye Chip & Dale!!!
17

pinkiew said:
Jun 29, 2009 at 1:43 PM
I don't care what anyone says. I really hate to see Michael stop driving. He has a good many more years left. And if he does, there are better drivers that Martin Truex,Jr.
18

rstuckey said:
Jun 29, 2009 at 2:25 PM
I think the move will be a good one for both Truex and MWR. Michael, though somewhat popular, has certainly seen better days behind the wheel. With the great improvement of David Reutimann, MWR seems to be headed in the right direction. Good luck.
19

4wide said:
Jun 29, 2009 at 2:28 PM
Martin is making a stupid move to go with MWR. Lets see how many races has he won in 20 years. Oh yea not many.

Look at all the great success his brother big mouth DW had as a car owner and truck owner. MWR will be gone in a couple of years and Marting will be standing around with his helmet looking for a ride.

I like Martin and Queen Teresa screwed him over just as she did Jr. I wish Martin would go to Stewart-Hass or Jr Motorsports.
20

4wide said:
Jun 29, 2009 at 2:32 PM
Smoke was right DEI will sure be a Museum with Dale Jr gone and now Marin gone.

I see the future. Teresa in going to field and Indy Car with Mayfield as the driver.
21

05kevin05 said:
Jun 29, 2009 at 5:49 PM
look for truex to drive the #52 napa toy and waltrip to drive a limited season in the 55
22

ipopakeg said:
Jun 29, 2009 at 7:07 PM
You might be on to something there 05k! I just can't see him walking away cold!
23

todd625 said:
Jun 29, 2009 at 10:56 PM
I would much rather see M.T. driving a 3rd Stewart-Haas car. I sure like Mikey and am glad to see his team starting to Click but think Martin would fit much better with Tony and Ryan.
I think Martin is a great driver but has had a lousy situation with the team formally known as DEI
24

BILLFAN50 said:
Jun 30, 2009 at 7:15 AM
Good one Post 20. My fear is that they will put him in the booth with D.W. One in the booth is bad enough!
25

sstarbraintree said:
Jun 30, 2009 at 11:52 AM
HeY #20 that was one of the most clever things i have read in a while. it made me smile
26

motorsportsphotography said:
Jun 30, 2009 at 12:45 PM
I bet Kasey will break his contract and defect to MWR.
27

motorsportsphotography said:
Jun 30, 2009 at 12:46 PM
I bet Kasey will break his contract and defect to MWR.