Michael Waltrip Racing's Michael Waltrip hints at retirement after 2009 season

By SceneDaily Staff

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Michael Waltrip Racing's Michael Waltrip might consider retirement after the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.

Sam Cranston
NASCAR Scene

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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.”

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Comments

17 responses to "Michael Waltrip Racing's Michael Waltrip hints at retirement after 2009 season". Post a Comment.

1

MrWalleye2U said:
Feb 5, 2009 at 12:49 PM
Do you really want another terrible year?
Save the millons and quit before the Bud Shootout.
2

Pat Draper said:
Feb 5, 2009 at 1:20 PM
Mr 2U don't go throwing Mikie under the bus yet. I hope he has a great year and wins some races as well as i hope David does. I love Mikie as a commentator for the trucks and all the other stuff he does. He's great on This Week in Nascar the show wouldn't be any good without him. I just wish they would take Chad off of it and put The Bif back on. When Chad is on all he talks about is "his" team and i'm tired of it. Mikie and The Bif are really funny sometimes. What ever Mikie does i wish him well. Nascar just wouldn't be the same without him.
3

Trouble in TURN 3 said:
Feb 5, 2009 at 3:14 PM
With all due respect Pat,it looks better if you spell it Mikey.
4

steve kopecy said:
Feb 5, 2009 at 3:27 PM
MIKE IS A NICE GUY BUT IT HAS PASSED HIM BY OR HE HAS INFERIOR EQUIPTMENT AS HE SEEMS TO ALWAYS A WRECK WAITING TO HAPPEN.STEP OUT OF THE RIDE BEFORE YOU GET HURT MIKEY!!
5

Anonymous said:
Feb 5, 2009 at 3:53 PM
Hope you have a great year, Mikey!
6

James Mogseth said:
Feb 5, 2009 at 4:08 PM
At least he isn't stuck on some phrase he muttered 20 or so years ago. He is stuck on a long losing streak though, and his performances of the last couple years have made a lot of people wonder how he gets some sponsorship. I do wish him a good year though, because he seems to be a really great person. Hey, Mike, just remember what you've said, and if your results are bad, step down, not out. We race fans need a better set of announcers in the booth.
7

Robert Wingert said:
Feb 5, 2009 at 4:09 PM
Retire now and save a lot of your fellow drivers cars.
8

Robert Wingert said:
Feb 5, 2009 at 4:11 PM
Pat can't spell.....
9

Doc Lehman said:
Feb 5, 2009 at 4:59 PM
Well, it's about time. I just hope he doesn't get in the booth with DW--can you imagine two of them yappin throughout the race bragging about their pasts. Now, if we could just replace DW with the likes of Kyle Petty. He is a class act in the booth.
10

Werner Boehmert said:
Feb 5, 2009 at 5:24 PM
is he going to try the all out merchandising route like DW did?...sure hope he doesn't come out with a chrome car...
11

James Mogseth said:
Feb 5, 2009 at 5:42 PM
Hey Doc, I agree about the duo in the booth together. I was thinking that maybe DW would step down and take Larry "Irregardless" Mac with him. At least Mikey sounds intelligent when he opens his mouth. Most of the time...that is.
12

Callaway said:
Feb 5, 2009 at 5:58 PM
You mean Mike Waltrip still driving race cars?? Here I thought he retired on the job several years ago but then again I normally don't follow cars down 3 or 4 laps.
13

Bill B. said:
Feb 5, 2009 at 6:39 PM
Hope you have a great year Mike,I always liked seeing you at the track.
14

deano88 said:
Feb 5, 2009 at 8:16 PM
Hey Doc, why replace Kyle Petty with ole DW?
I had rather hear DW over Petty..OK....lol
15

Bernadette Motherway said:
Feb 6, 2009 at 12:12 AM
This is old news. And, in my opinion, DW, Mikey and Kyle Petty could replace anyone on ESPN and do a better job. Or replace Spencer on SPEED; what a toad.
16

Anonymous said:
Feb 6, 2009 at 12:19 AM
I see Pat the Draper Hendrick hater is at it again...Waltrip is a bumbling idiot..why do you call him "Mikie"? He is a grown man...LMBO....he should quit while he is ahead.....I love it when Chad is on the same time as Waltrip...he can put the man in his place...Go Chad and TEAM 48!!!
17

Bernadette Motherway said:
Feb 6, 2009 at 4:08 PM
Hey #16! Remember the show where MW said he was rewatching the race to get prepared for the show and asked Chad what he was doing to get ready for the show. Chad replied that he was cleaning up dog puke in his vehicle. Hey, Howard!! I nearly wet my pants!!!