Michael Waltrip Racing's Michael Waltrip hints at retirement after 2009 season
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup season could be Michael Waltrip’s final one as a driver.
Waltrip, who has competed at NASCAR’s top level full time since 1986, said for the second time in the last month on Thursday that he could call it quits at the end of the season if he feels he doesn’t run competitively enough and that someone else could do a better job of driving his car in 2010.
If Waltrip does retire, he’ll likely continue in his role as an owner of Michael Waltrip Racing, which entered the Cup series at the beginning of 2007.
“I think that’s interesting because ’09 could indeed be my last year because I can finally call it retirement if I choose to,” Waltrip said at Daytona International Speedway. “There’s been years in my career where it could have been the last one and I just would not have had a ride. … I want to race the NAPA car in ’10 and beyond because I’m the best guy for it, but if I notice [teammate] David Reutimann out in front of me and me not being able to catch him and if I don’t see the results that I think the 55 car and 55 team deserve, then as an owner, I want to get somebody in it that can post those results.
“So it’ll be fun to see how it plays out. I believe in what we’re doing at MWR from a team standpoint, and I really, really want to be a part of it as a driver, but if not, I’ll just have to enjoy it as an owner.”
While the 45-year-old Waltrip may be considering hanging it up, he also says that he feels better physically and mentally than he has in several years.
“I think mentally I’m more stable than I’ve been in a long time going into ’09,” said Waltrip, a two-time Daytona 500 winner and winner of four Cup races. “Now I’m to a point where mentally I think I’m back and confident and enthusiastic. I’m even getting probably up to about the best shape I’ve ever been in my whole life physically. All those things are very important. I’m not real sure about the science of this, but when you’re working out, something shoots up to your brain and makes you feel more confident and content.”
Waltrip is especially confident that he hasn’t lost any of his driving skills.
“The last three years probably have been the most difficult years ever for me. They definitely have,” he said. “It’s been challenging to be a guy that has won the Daytona 500 and competed at the level I have as recently as a couple years ago to think that my skills have gone away. They haven’t. We were building a new team, and I don’t think no one else has really done all that we’re doing right now, lately.”
Does Waltrip ever regret becoming a team owner?
“The answer is stay tuned,” he said. “I don’t think I can answer that yet. I will give you a hint: If you drive down to Cornelius [N.C.] and there’s a ‘For Sale’ sign in front of that big building that I’ve built in a year or two, then yes, I do regret it.
“But if we’re able to continue that progress that we’ve made so far and we’re able to become one of the teams where people want to land and sponsors want to be, then the challenge and the sacrifices have been well worth it. As a driver, it’s definitely been the worst three years of my career.”
As of now, continuing as an owner is part of Waltrip’s plan for after he gives up driving. He’d also like to continue working as a commentator for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series’ coverage on Speed.
“I’ll do some owner stuff and I’ll do some TV stuff - that’s probably what would be my next chapter,” he said. “I love being an owner because I love being able to work out problems and help sponsors with their plans. I love that side of it, plus doing the trucks. … That’s like paid vacation.”
