Hard Turn
A NASCAR BLOG BY Jeff Owens
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For Waltrip, success off the track is what matters
Aug
9
It’s often been said that driving a stock car is only half of a NASCAR driver’s job.
The other half – sometimes the most important half – is being a spokesman for his sponsor. Many Cup drivers have forged a career out of being an accomplished spokesman, accomplishing more in front of a television camera than they do on the race track.
There is no better example than Michael Waltrip, who announced on Friday that NAPA Auto Parts has agreed to back him for a ninth consecutive season.
Waltrip is 32nd in driver points and has done practically nothing all season. He finished 44th last year after making only 14 of 36 races.
Though he has four career victories – two in the Daytona 500 – he hasn’t won in five years. And has rarely come close.
Meanwhile, his Michael Waltrip Racing organization has gone from an embarrassment last year to a mediocre backmarker in its second season.
Still, NAPA has re-signed with Waltrip and his team.
That tells you how successful Waltrip has been as a spokesman for his sponsor.
“Michael Waltrip is a terrific spokesman and brand ambassador for NAPA,” Bob Susor, president of NAPA, said in announcing the deal. “In fact, our research indicates that Michael Waltrip and NAPA Auto Parts have become synonymous to many race fans. The bond we have forged has helped us sell a lot of auto parts through the years and we are pleased to have Michael represent us again in 2009.”
Susor made no mention of Waltrip’s success on the track.
For some drivers, and some sponsors, that doesn’t seem to matter.
The other half – sometimes the most important half – is being a spokesman for his sponsor. Many Cup drivers have forged a career out of being an accomplished spokesman, accomplishing more in front of a television camera than they do on the race track.
There is no better example than Michael Waltrip, who announced on Friday that NAPA Auto Parts has agreed to back him for a ninth consecutive season.
Waltrip is 32nd in driver points and has done practically nothing all season. He finished 44th last year after making only 14 of 36 races.
Though he has four career victories – two in the Daytona 500 – he hasn’t won in five years. And has rarely come close.
Meanwhile, his Michael Waltrip Racing organization has gone from an embarrassment last year to a mediocre backmarker in its second season.
Still, NAPA has re-signed with Waltrip and his team.
That tells you how successful Waltrip has been as a spokesman for his sponsor.
“Michael Waltrip is a terrific spokesman and brand ambassador for NAPA,” Bob Susor, president of NAPA, said in announcing the deal. “In fact, our research indicates that Michael Waltrip and NAPA Auto Parts have become synonymous to many race fans. The bond we have forged has helped us sell a lot of auto parts through the years and we are pleased to have Michael represent us again in 2009.”
Susor made no mention of Waltrip’s success on the track.
For some drivers, and some sponsors, that doesn’t seem to matter.
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