March 3, 2008

LAS VEGAS – Michael Waltrip and the NAPA Racing team finished 31st in Sunday’s Las Vegas 400 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The team’s NAPA Camry was loose entering the corners during the 267-lap event. Despite crew chief Paul Andrew’s valiant efforts to make changes to the car, the Camry would not respond. Waltrip was able to hold on to gain valuable points to remain in the top-35 in owner points.  

“It was a rough day for us,” said Waltrip who started the event in 22nd position. “My car just would not come around at all. It was extremely loose when entering the corners. All I could do was ease into the corners. Once I got in, I could finally mash the pedal. I survived out there. It’s frustrating, but I know we are still learning about these new cars. They are tricky. We are definitely not the only ones out there trying to figure this thing out.

“I think once we understand what this new car needs in the front end, we will really see significant improvements in our finishing positions.

“Looking back at where Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) was last year – both David Reutimann and I missed the race. I was 27 points in the hole. This time around, we are looking much, much better. We are three for three in qualifying with all three MWR Toyotas. I am very proud of that accomplishment.”

Overall, the weekend’s activities got off to a strong start when all three MWR Toyotas comfortably made it in on speed during Friday’s Coors Light qualifying. NASCAR was able to institute its new policy of having the go-or-go-home teams qualify at the same time which evened out the playing field for the 12 teams attempting to make the race on time. The results saw Waltrip record the 22nd-fastest lap (30.023 seconds/179.862 mph. His teammates Reutimann (29.937 seconds/180.379 mph) and Dale Jarrett (29.955 seconds/180.270 mph) qualified 14th and 16th. On the pole was Las Vegas native Kyle Busch (29.613 seconds/182.352 mph). 

On Sunday, Waltrip battled the loose condition from the very start of the Las Vegas 400. Andrews put into motion a very aggressive plan to fix the car. Over the course of eleven services on laps 10, 57, 70, 111, 147, 163, 181, 215, 226, 235 and 259, the pit crew focused on track bar, air pressure and wedge adjustments. Despite the changes, the loose-in condition remained.

The Las Vegas 400 was marred by 11 caution-flag periods. Reutimann felt the wrath of the speedway when he hit the wall on the first lap. He was able to hold on and race his way to the finish. Jarrett was en route to a top-20 finish when he crashed entering Turn 2 on lap 233.

The scariest moment of the race was when Jeff Gordon made contact with Matt Kenseth with just four laps to go. The collision caused Gordon’s car to slam into the inside wall on the backstretch. Debris was scattered everywhere causing the red flag to be thrown. Gordon was not injured.

The green flag waved for one final time on lap 265. Carl Edwards was able to take a commanding lead as Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Greg Biffle went door-to-door to the finish. Edwards went on to win the Las Vegas 400. It was his second straight victory of the season. However during post-race inspection, NASCAR found an “issue” with the No. 99 machine. If there are any actions that need to be taken, NASCAR says it will announce it next week.

Rounding out the top-10 finishers were Earnhardt Jr., Biffle, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, David Regan, Kasey Kahne, Travis Kvapil, Denny Hamlin and Mark Martin.

Waltrip’s teammates David Reutimann and Dale Jarrett finished 37th and 39th, respectively.

Next up for the Sprint Cup teams is a two-day test starting today at the Phoenix International Raceway. Then on Sunday, the fourth event of the season, the Kobalt Tools 500 gets underway on Sunday at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. The race broadcast will start at 1:30 p.m. ET on FOX and PRN radio.

Las Vegas 400 Results:
http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2008/3/data/results_unofficial.html

Las Vegas 400 Lap-By-Lap:
http://www.nascar.com/2008/races/lapbylap/03/02/lap.by.lap.vegas/index.html

NASCAR Sprint Cup Driver Standings (Waltrip – 33rd)
http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2008/data/standings_unofficial.html

NASCAR Finds “Issue” with 99 Car in Post-Race Inspection:
http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/headlines/cup/03/02/cedwards.vegas.inspection/index.html